Pte Frederick(Jack) Ralph RWF - WW2

[Greg Ralph]

I am retired, in Western Australia and about to embark on putting together a family history. I know that between 1940 and 1945 my father served in the RWF but, as I was born in 1940, my knowledge is fairly sketchy. His name was Frederick John (Jack) Ralph and he was from Pembroke. I remember the black flash on the collar of his tunic and the badge he proudly had in his cuff-link box. I know that he was sometime in Swanage and also Haywards Heath in Sussex but beyond that I have no knowledge of his time in the army. He was a private and I have no doubt led a fairly undistinguished life but he must have been proud of being a member of the RWF because I recall amongst other things photographs of a regimental band with a goat mascot.
Could anyone please tell me how I can obtain details of his time in the army? Is there a regimental library or such that I can access to find out what his duties were and how he spent his time. I know that he had at least two very good friends and I think one was called 'chad' but I'm not sure.
He died of a heart attack when he was 56 so I did not have the opportunity to question him on this part of his life.
If anyone could give me some guidance I would greatly appreciate that.
I will just post some Aussie Christmas sunshine and hope that will entice someone to offer me assistance. Cheers - GjR

[ap1]

Hi Greg, and a warm welcome to the forum. Do you have your Dad's service number? If you have his medals within the family, his service number will be stencilled on the outer edge of the medals. I'm thinking he may have been 4th 6th or 7th Bn, as at the end of 1943, all those battalions were based on the Kent/Sussex border as preperations for the Normandy Landings continued.

Did he ever mention any other specific locations. This will assist in identifying his battalion.

[Aled Roberts]

I have a candidate in my database.

4198112 Ralph, Frederick John. Enlisted 17th January 1940, serving with the 10th Bn. Left the Regiment 15th May 1944.

Looks like he was mostly likely with the battalion when they converted to 6th (Royal Welch) parachute battalion ,the parachute regiment.

[ap1]

ooh...Thats an interesting one Richard. I will revisit Red Dragon. Thats a strange date to be leaving, wounded perhaps? Since 1943 the 6th Battalion(RW) The Parachute Regiment had been on operations in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. At the end of May 44 they were resting on the coast between Naples and Salerno, awaiting a further para operation.

In the meantime Greg, you might be interested in reading about the disaster off Taranto, when over 50 of the battalion were killed when their ship struck a mine.

http://www.rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/vbarticles.php?do=article&articleid=14

[Greg Ralph]

I have a candidate in my database.

4198112 Ralph, Frederick John. Enlisted 17th January 1940, serving with the 10th Bn. Left the Regiment 15th May 1944.

Looks like he was mostly likely with the battalion when they converted to 6th (Royal Welch) parachute battalion ,the parachute regiment.

I am so impressed - two responses in less than 24 hrs. Must be honest didn't think I would get any. I am most grateful. I have a box of correspondence back in the uk which I will endeavour to access but this may take a month or two.

[Greg Ralph]

Hi Greg, and a warm welcome to the forum. Do you have your Dad's service number? If you have his medals within the family, his service number will be stencilled on the outer edge of the medals. I'm thinking he may have been 4th 6th or 7th Bn, as at the end of 1943, all those battalions were based on the Kent/Sussex border as preperations for the Normandy Landings continued.

Did he ever mention any other specific locations. This will assist in identifying his battalion.

Thanks for a speedy response. I realise I should have done some more homework before contacting you guys. I will have to access my father's letters from the uk and this may take a little while. My gratitude once more.