Research William Humphreys and Robert Smith Humphreys.

[G.I. JONES]

Firstly thanks for taking time and answering my questions regarding Thomas Humphreys,I would like to ask further questions but im afraid i do not have a lot to go on my grandfather was William Humphreys d.o.b 1901-1978 and he at one time was in the RWF stationed in Ireland,and his brother Robert Smith Humphreys d.o.b 1911-1988 he was taken prisoner by the Japaneese where i dont know and they where all off Flint The Yacht Inn ,Evan Street and West View ,Oakenholt so as before thanks in advance for any info you may or may not be able to share with me.

[ap1]

Hi Gareth,

WW2 is a little more difficult to research, unless you have the individual soldiers service number, do you have that? If so, you will be able to apply for his full service record from the MOD. We can then assist you more fully.

I'm guessing here, but its possible that William Humphreys was a member of either the 4th, 6th or 7th Battalion RWF. These were territorial battalions and part of 158 Infantry Brigade. They were mobilised in Sept 1939, at the outbreak of the war. Within a few weeks they were posted to Northern Ireland and commenced battle training plus some internal security operations. In Nov 1941, the brigade returned to the UK.

They landed at Normandy on the 25th June 1944 and were then involved in many of the major actions in the battle for NW Europe. They fought in France, Holland and Germany right up until the end of the war.

Regarding RS Humphreys, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were both engaged in the fight against the Japanese, from 1942 onwards. Unfortunately in the current regimental book that covers WW2 (The Red Dragon), no mention is made of any RWF men being taken prisoner by the Japanese. Although I note you did not specifically identify him as RWF.

Nothing online in terms of POW databases for Japanese POW's, but have a look at this document at the National Archive, I believe you can request a quotation for a name search. http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...s?Uri=C2581752

Hope this helps.

[G.I. JONES]

Many thanks AP1 i will try and find out service numbers and as i said i dont know what regiment Robert (Bob) was in but appreciate your reply i will have to ask around,My grandad was i know in the territorials joining i think in Connahs Quay, thanks again Gareth.

[ap1]

My grandad was i know in the territorials joining i think in Connahs Quay, thanks again Gareth.

Possibly a 4th Bn man then! Here is a picture of B Coy 4 RWF: http://www.rwfphotos.co.uk/page975.html

[Baconwallah]

Oakenholt and Connah's Quay were in the 5th Bn recruiting area.

John

[ap1]

Cheers John, i'll have another look at that. One of the deeside units ended up as a an anti tank unit I think. Pretty sure John Prescotts(UK Politician) dad "Bert" was a member.

[ap1]

Oakenholt and Connah's Quay were in the 5th Bn recruiting area.

John

This throws up another option. The 5th Bn were converted to an Anti Tank regiment in 1938. Initially titled 60th A/TK.....They then using cadres trained offshoots forming other regiments. One of these offshoots was 71st Anti-Tank Regiment RA(RWF), this was formed in 1940 from the TA units based in the Hawarden and Buckley districts. In Nov 1940 this unit was deployed to Donaghadie in Northern Ireland. So the Ireland connection also makes this a possibility. They took part in the Normandy Landings with the 53rd Inf Division and saw extensive action.

[Baconwallah]

76th ATR was an other one. They were the sole representatives of the RWF with 8th Army, defending the 'Snipe' position during Second Alamein.

John

PS 'Two Jags' Prescott?

[ap1]

Yep. I think his dad lost a leg during the Normandy Landings.

[Aled Roberts]

William will most likely be in this list.

NUMBER</SPAN>	CHRST_NAME</SPAN>	SURNAME</SPAN>	BATTALION</SPAN>	Date</SPAN>	To</SPAN>
4181499</SPAN>	William</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	T</SPAN>
4184701</SPAN>	William</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	T</SPAN>
4185893</SPAN>	William Ivor</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	T</SPAN>
4186375</SPAN>	William</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	T</SPAN>	27/04/1925</SPAN>	26/04/1933</SPAN>
4186827</SPAN>	William Harold</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	T</SPAN>	31/10/1925</SPAN>	30/10/1937</SPAN>
4189329</SPAN>	William Ernest</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	R</SPAN>	15/11/1930</SPAN>	18/03/1943</SPAN>
4190613</SPAN>	William Robert</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	T</SPAN>
4195304</SPAN>	William Lloyd</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	7th</SPAN>		20/10/1939</SPAN>
4195325</SPAN>	William David</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	7th</SPAN>		08/08/1942</SPAN>
4195497</SPAN>	William</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	4th</SPAN>		16/05/1942</SPAN>
4198724</SPAN>	William Peter</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>		15/02/1940</SPAN>	25/02/1946</SPAN>
4199471</SPAN>	William</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>		15/03/1940</SPAN>	20/07/1940</SPAN>
4201977</SPAN>	William Leonard</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>	9th</SPAN>	30/05/1940</SPAN>	01/02/1946</SPAN>
4208116</SPAN>	William George</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>		14/03/1941</SPAN>	14/09/1942</SPAN>
4208190</SPAN>	William John</SPAN>	Humphreys</SPAN>		31/03/1941</SPAN>	09/04/1946</SPAN>

I can find no candidate for Robert Smith Humphreys with the RWF