c/pl Arthur Roberts 4030923

[motorhead]

Hi, I was wondering if you had any info on my grandfather Arthur Idris Roberts c/pl 4030923.I know he served in Noth Africa and Italy because I have his medals from those campaigns.I was told he served in India as well but I am not sure about that. My mother says he didn't talk about his Army days, which I totally understand,but that she used to have a picture of my grandfather and Monty together that was lost some years ago.It would be great if I could find that photo,or indeed ,any photo him in his army days.
Thanks for any info.

[ap1]

Do the medals have RWF stamped on the edge M/Head?

If he served with Monty in North Africa and Italy, he would have most likely beeen part of either 60th Anti Tank Regiment RA(RWF) or 6th Battalion (RW) The Parachute Regiment. Both these started as Royal Welch units at the onset of war, and later merged into other regiments.Never the less, Royal Welchmen.

[Aled Roberts]

Royal Welch Fusiliers number block was 4178001 - 4256000

I'm guessing Arthur was a King's Shropshire Light Infantry man.

[motorhead]

I've just spoken to my great aunt and she says that arthur enlisted in 1923 in Shrewsbury,which is funny,because that would have made him about 14 yrs old.So the Shropshires may be feasible.This is when he is supposed to have served in India guarding POW's,although from what action I have no idea. He served until 1932,when he left and became a coal miner.He was then called up a few months before WW2 and my aunt says that he was definately in the welsh fusiliers.
On my mothers birth certifacate it just says "Arthur Idris Roberts c/pl 4030923 Welch Regiment".
Could he have been in the Shropshires for the first stint and then been called up for the second with the same Army number as this number is the only one anyone has.
I am in the process of trying to get hold of his records so I will let you know how I get on.
There is nothing stamped on the Africa star or the Italy star so does that mean they are replacements.

[Aled Roberts]

The Africa & Italy Stars were issued un-named to our chaps.

Guarding prisoners in India in 1923 might not be as strange as you think. The 1st Bn RWF were deployed to India and took part in the Waziristan skirmishes up until 1924. (from memory)

I'll check some more books for you.

Richard