The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

Welcome to AiX LeeChant

Welcome to AIX Geoff

/community/showthread.php?839-Are-you-ex-RAF

Welcome Geoff, I believe we do have a member who lives close to Worthy Down.

Welcome to AiX Geoff, anything to add on Worthy Down?

Hi! I'm Carol, daughter of two British soldiers (WWII). Dad died in 1973, and I have just received copies of his service records from the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow. They're a bit difficult to read because of all of the codes, but I do know that he served from 10 April 1941-12 Aug 1946, and was last stationed at Donna Nook Airfield. He enlisted as a pte, and was apparently assigned to the "1st AA Div 'Z' Trg Regt RA" (translates as 1st Army Aircorps Division Z Training Regiment, Royal Airforce?). On 5 June 1941, he was sent to the "NO/Coast Arty Group" (North Coast Artillery Group?) with a rank (?) of GNR. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 14 October 1942, and when he was discharged, his superior, Maj. B.J. (?) Marsh wrote that his military conduct had been "very good," commenting "This man is far above the average in intelligence. Sober, honest & trustworthy."

Then on 5 December 1943, Dad agreed to service overseas, and was transferred to the Leicestershire Artillery. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 14 October 1942, and (if I am reading this correctly) wounded on 29 November 1943 "Ref 44331 (AG6a)." Apparently, he received a head wound serious enough to be "likely to interfere with efficiency" (a statement labeled "B117") on 12 May 1944 (that one is labeled "B114"). I would be very grateful if someone could help me translate some of these alphanumerics, or tell me what document(s) or websites I would consult to be able to do so myself, as Dad never, ever spoke of his experiences in the service--and if anyone served with and remembers him, that would be more wonderful than I can say!

welcome aboard.

I may not have all of this correct, but here goes!

GNR = gunner which is the Artillary version of private (pte)

AA would be likely be anti aircraft in the context you have quoted RA is Royal Artillery

The Leicestershire Artillary is likely the Leicestershire Yoemenry, which I think was at that time an artillery Regiment. This likely explains the rank of Lance Corporal, the RA rank would have been Lance Bombardier.

Confusing, yes but a army career well worth filling in the gaps

for further reading, and I have not looked into this, you may find that his Regiment (s) published "year books" (eg The Rifle Bigade Association published The Rifle Brigade Chronicles) If these were published for your fathers Regiment, they can probably be picked up used from something like ABE Books

Hope this helps in a small way

Document B117 is Army Form B117, the B indicating it is for use at Regimental and Corps level.
AF B117 specifically is a "Report on Injuries (other than wounds received in action)".
I'm unsure where the AF B114 comes into things though, as that form is "Report on NCOs and Men recommended for training as Cooks".

The "NO/Coast Arty Group" looks like the number has been omitted/hidden for whatever reason.
Most Coast Artillery Groups were retitled as Coastal Artillery Regiments in June of 1941, the 10th Coast Artillery Group becoming the 548th Coastal Artilley Regiment for example before eventually disbanding throughout late 1943 and 1944.

Regards the Leicestershire Artillery, the pre-WWII Leicestershire Yeomanry (Prince Albert's Own) was split into two new units and became part of the Royal Artillery in February 1940, becoming the 153rd (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, RA and the 154th (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, RA.
The 153rd was assigned to the Home Forces in the UK, and came under the Guards Support Group from late in 1941.
This became part of the Guards Armoured Division, and from June 1944 the 153rd provided artillery support to the division through North-west Europe equipped with 25pdrs in Sexton self-propelled guns.
The 154th was assigned to the Middle East Forces from June 1942, fighting under various commands in North Africa, Italy and ended WWII in Austria.

In 1947 both units were recombined as the Leicestershire Yeomanry (Prince Albert's Own), T.A., and transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps.
Their association can be contacted via the chairman:

Major Luke Smith TD
28 Beveridge Street
Barrow on Soar
Loughborough
LE12 8PL

lukesmith967 AT btinternet.com

Hope that gives you something to work with.
All the best,
PB

hi my name is roy bradshaw, my father was a gi in stareton hospital from 1943 to 1944, hospitals number was 307th and it was a rehab unit , i was born july 20th 1944 [ the day the bomb went off in hitlers meeting ]i study the anmerican civil war and especially a cavalry gen called nathan bedford forrest, to my mind the most superior cavalry gen of the south , i also am interested in the life of jack hinson, i i also am fascinated by american troops and airforce in ww11, my other interests are fotography of fungi amonst other things, art , history , books, drag racing nascar, green bay packers,the mormon trail,guns, country music and lots more , just ask,i have ben searching for my father for as long as i can remember but due to the antics of my stepfather i have no service number, makes it kinda difficult yu know, i was born in warwick and lived in hatton village , enough for now hagd jimmyroy

Hello Roy welcome to AiX..

You would probably get some help from, the American Legion in tracking down your father.

My wife was another "warbaby" with a dad over there....we eventually tracked him down via the Canadian Legion(after trying many other avenues) - unfortunately about a year too late.
www.legion.org/