Jeff Otten RWF - (British Honduras) Belize 1953

[jungle1810]

Hello All,
It is now time to correct some of my previous information, albeit done in all honesty at the time of writing. Firstly when HMT Dilwara arrived in Jamaica "B" company of the RWF dis embarked and were deposited in Up Park camp, then "B" company of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers boarded her, The Dilwara then went to Belize and picked up "D" company of the "Skins"and "D" company of the RWF took over from "D" company of the "Skins". The reason for this is two fold firstly Up Park camp was unable to cope with 2 battalion or even part of two battalions. The Dilwara returned to Kingston and the remainder of the "Skins" boarded her, and the remainder of the RWF dis embarked by the same token the Dilwara was unable to cater for two battalions or even two part battalions aboard her. Now to clarify the white blanco on the Regimental police belts and gaiters. In truth I was in Jamaica for a very short time, because the battalion was split and at any given time we had at least two rifle companies on detachment.Hence my possible over sight after 62 years. I phoned Len Watts this A M, he informed me that to the best of his knowledge Jeff came from N Wales, he cannot be more specific than that.In relation to the Regimental police and their dress. I only saw "Kong" Frimstone once and that was when I intended to go on the town, "Kong" stopped us at the guard room and ordered us back to "B" company lines.This was because trouble had flared up in the Island of Grenada, we were weighed and took our ordinance with us ready to fly to Grenada, I was number 1 on the Bren at this time, and as "Kong" was in mufti I did not pay much attention to his dress. But in truth the Regimental police did wear white belts and gaiters in Jamaica. So when I came back from Grenada we were hit by hurricane "Charlie" and I done work on hurricane relief.It was after I finished hurricane relief I was posted to re-join "B" company. So putting things into perspective I was provost Corporal in a rifle company on detachment and as such ,
I wore the clothing described in my previous threads plus of course I did not wear a regimental arm band either. How ever when Jeff was in Belize he was in either Support company or on detachment from HQ company. So he would have been wearing the "Uniform of the Regimental Police" ie White belt and gaiters.I also found out that the site where he had his photo taken was in all probability in the rear of the camp where the M.M.G's were lined up on fixed lines to deter the "United Fruit Company" ( an illegal organisation of renegades who's ambition was to over run the British detachment ) and at the far reaches of the camp facing Stanley Airport,where a building was erected to contain the ammunition and other accoutrements needed by the company on detachment in Belize. To the best of my knowledge this building was not on site when a rifle company occupied Belize.Sorry but the above thread may clear the issue rather than muddy the waters.
Mea Culpa, RBD

[ap1]

UPDATE:

This query is progressing well. Brian Coates has taken a lead and has established the location of Jeff's family and met some members. Obviously Brian will be updating Mike privately as he gathers more information. Sadly Jeff has passed on, but hopefully with Brians good work we will be able to fill in the gaps for Jeff's daughter.

[Bricoates]

UPDATE:

This query is progressing well. Brian Coates has taken a lead and has established the location of Jeff's family and met some members. Obviously Brian will be updating Mike privately as he gathers more information. Sadly Jeff has passed on, but hopefully with Brians good work we will be able to fill in the gaps for Jeff's daughter.

I have just received a PM from Mike, his Wife remembers that Jeff mentioned two sisters, this information and a member of the Caernarfon Otten family having Jack (Jacob) Sid and Joe in the Family and no mention of Jeff leads me to think that this is not the right Family, I will be phoning Sid's Son tomorrow he will be able to confirm this, I hope.
Brian

[ap1]

Looking through Ancestry there is a lot of Otten's in the Caernarfon area. There is also quite a few in the Liverpool area. Swansea and Whitechapel in London seem to have the biggest concentration during the 1920's/30's/40's

[Seboni121]

My name is Mike Sander from Luling, LA. USA and I’m doingfamily research. I found a website with photos of Welsh Fusiliers inBelize in 1953 (http://www.rwfphotos.co.uk/) and sent the contact person the note below. He suggested that I post an inquiry on this forum.

My wife is from Belize and her dad was in the Britishforces stationed there in the 1950’s (she was born in 1954). I’veattached a photo of him – his name is Jeff Otten. If you know of any waythat I might be able find any information on him or his family, I’d appreciateyour help. He left Belize shortly after my wife was born and she and hermom completely lost touch with him.

We don't know much more about him or his unit but I'm fairly certain he was a member of the troops shown in the photos on the website mentioned above.

Best Regards,
Mike Sander

Hi I have confirmed that's he is my uncle "jack' not "jeff" please contact me if you require any further information

[Bricoates]

I have been in touch with Kevin Otten the nephew of "Jeff",( real name Jack) he can confirm that the photo is of his uncle Jack, he has also registered with the Forum,"seboni121" and will keep in touch with Mike and update the Forum if he has any further news, I shall pass on his details to mike by PM

Brian

[ap1]

Brilliant. Excellent news Brian. Job well done.

[Seboni121]

I have already had contact from the OP and things are moving along, thank you for the initial contact from Brian

[ap1]

Hi Mike,

The next stage will be to obtain Jacks service records. You require two main pieces of the jigsaw to obtain this. Firstly Jack's Service Number. Thanks to Richard Ward you already have this detail. Secondly the Death Certificate. To obtain a copy of his death certificate, if you have found the relevant details of Jack's death on Ancestry, using the information provided apply through the General Records Office(GRO), link shown below:

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

The order can be made online, the certificate will then be posted to you. Later on you will need to include a photo copy of Jacks death certificate when you move onto the next stage and request his service record from the UK Ministry of Defence.


Obtaining The Service Records:

Follow the below link.

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

This will take you to the Veterans Website and explains the procedures. Your wife will need to complete the Certificate of Kinship. Then post the completed form including the Death Cert to:

Army Personnel Centre,
Historical Disclosures,
Mail Point 555,
Kentigern House,
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow,
G2 8EX

The cost is £30 and it could take several months.

In terms of documentary evidence. We already know that Jack was in Jamaica on the 23rd Nov 1953. As it is documented in regimental records that LCpl Otten met The Queen on that day at Kings House, Jamaica.

Keep us posted

Al

[Baconwallah]

Well done, gentlemen!

John