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An excellent job Gareth, and a heartfelt thanks for your efforts. I will read through the Ironclad stuff over the next few days. The nominal rolls will be a great asset to us i'm sure.
Have you managed to narrow down the suspects for your grandfather?
No problem, absolutely delighted that I could help you or anyone else looking to track down their past.Quote:
Originally Posted by ap1
As regards me, well there are more questions cropping up than answers unfortunately. The biggest problem that's cropped up is that there are serious question marks over his christian name. We always assumed it was John as we thought my father was named after him, however it's looking increasingly likely that his name was Robert.
If that's the case then the most likely looking candidate is a Sgt. R Jones, 4192085, serving with A Company based on the 39'-45' medal roll for service in Madagascar. I'm aware there's a Sergeant R. Jones (CQMS) No. 3385592 who won the DCM, however there was never any hint of my Grandad winning anything so I'm discounting that.
How common would it have been for an older Sergeant to be commissioned and sent back to the U.K for service in one of the 'cadre' battalions to assist in training? Any ideas?
Why do you think he was commisioned and sent back to the UK?
Hi All
I have been keeping an eye on this thread to see if any further details drop out. Lars' post (#5) was exactly what I would have suggested.
I have been having a run through possible candidates. I have found 338 John Jones' so far that I have been working through ....... since reading the update on Christian names, I have done the same for Robert Jones'. At least 188.
However only 21 so far for Robert John Jones, and only four for John Robert Jones. . .
There could however be others whom I am not aware of. To make real progress, confirming his name would be very beneficial. Also there was mention of WWI service. These medals would be named - and would really open up the door to getting to the bottom of things.
Richard
My father has a picture of him in officers uniform which was apparently taken sometime towards the end of the war. So unless he was given an emergency field commission he would have been sent back to OCTU in the U.K and assigned to one of the home battalions whilst he underwent officer training.Quote:
Originally Posted by ap1
Not entirely certain how it works though so that might be absolutely wrong. You gentlemen would probably know better than me!
My other Grandad, who was a Signalman (ex-DCLI), went up for officer selection in West Africa in 43' where he was interviewed by his C.O (a Colonel Thomas), another senior officer, and Brigadier Venning who was G.O.C in Ghana who wanted to send him back top OCTU, but he declined it because he thought it was an affront to his dignity as a grammar schoolboy that he wasn't given the commission there and then!
Not sure. I don't even know how common it was for Sergeants to be 'raised up'.
Thanks for that, kind of you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Ward
I'm very much leaning to him being Sgt. R Jones, 4192085, serving with A Company 2 RWF in early 1943. First of all, I know for certain he was part of Ironclad and would have been a Sergeant around that time. The 1939-1945 medal roll for men serving in 2 RWF who fought at Madagascar names two Sgt Jones' (both of whom have the initial R, and one had the DCM but I'm sure if he'd won that my dad would have told me), the other is the Sgt R. Jones, 4192085 serving with A Company.
If I could associate him with Tywyn or Aberdyfi, or even his age (he'd have to be in his early 30s), it'd practically confirm it.
Thanks for all your help with this guys, it's bloody good of you to even spare a glance at it much less do digging into it for me. I'm just terribly sorry I'm so vague with the information. If my dad does get in touch at any stage I'll post the pictures of him I know are knocking around. Might even have some of him serving with some other old soldiers that could be useful to researchers.
Thanks again.
Might be back to the drawing board . . .Quote:
Originally Posted by Gareth-Rhys
This mans Christian name was Ronald, his number being an early 1934 enlistment.
Hi,
Just to update you gents on this; I finally managed to talk to my father after God knows how long.
I am now 100% positive on the following bits of information. His full name was Robert William Jones born in 1907. He was definately with 2 RWF at Ironclad and served with the battalion from Durban to Kohima.
I can't get anything firm on his rank at the moment. Will try and dig up some more on that.
I have a few 'possibles':
Cpl R Jones. 4195746
L/Cpl R Jones. 4192578
Hope that helps anyone whose 'in the know' to helping me pin point him.
Cheers
Gareth-Rhys
Was Robert Henry JonesQuote:
Originally Posted by Gareth-Rhys
Was Richard Thomas Jones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gareth-Rhys
I have 10 Robert William Jones'Quote:
Originally Posted by Gareth-Rhys
At least 6 of these had left the Battalion before Kohima.
This leaves :
4182808 - All I know he was a Territorial.
4183530 - All I know he was a Regular
4200229 - Joined 5th April 1940, Served 6th Bn, Left 20th February 1946
4204511 - Joined 27th June 1940, left 4th January 1946.
One's number is too low for the DOB, and assuming the other Territorial boy stayed with the 6th battalion, it leaves the possibility of two men from the info I have.
4183530 Would have been a 1920's enlistment and thus too young.
So - If I was forced to give an opinion - Based on the above logic, I would say 4204511 Robert William Jones is the best fit.
Hope this helps.
Richard