War Records

[boogie2]

I have found that a relative died during WWii. I know name, Army serial number and regiment. I have applied for and got his army record which gives very little detail. It says he enlisted in February 1940. Served "at home" until he was posted to N. Africa and sailed on the 22nd December 1942. He was then listed as "Lost at Sea" on the 7th January 1943. Does anyone know how to find out what ship he was on, where he was "lost" or what happened etc. Thanks to anyone who can help.

[shoota]

possibly:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/57/a6068757.shtml

[lyall]

Don't know if this will be of use

http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1003-Intro.htm#WW2

[penelope2]

Sorry to 'butt' in on your thread boogie2.
lyall.... what a brilliant site that is, thank you.

[shoota]

What regiment was he in Boodie?

[shoota]

If he was on the Benalbanach (and 410 troops died on that boat that day RIP) there are some more details here:
http://www.merchantnavymemorialtrust.org.uk/scotland-and-the-sea/wartime-losses/

[shoota]

That was 150 miles North of Algeria which would tie in with the North Africa posting.

[lyall]

Penelope I came across it quite by accident while searching for a relative lost at sea in the Merchant Navy, I kept the link just in case, glad its of use to someone.

[craft1948]

If you have his details try searching on here......

http://www.cwgc.org/

[penelope2]

lyall, certainly one I will keep for future reference. Did a quick check on a couple of relatives who died in WW2 and the info confirmed what I had learned previously. Thanx again.

[boogie2]

Thanks all, brilliant shoota, He was in the Royal Signals Corps 280. Though later on the record it says 6 Corps Signals. Not my surname but he was called Peter Grant.

[lyall]

Knew the link would come in useful sometime

[lyall]

Nothing about your relative boogie but here is a link to information about the Benalbanach if you are interested

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?32106

[shoota]

GRANT, PETER
Rank:DriverService No:2335326Date of Death:07/01/1943Age:25Regiment/Service:Royal Corps of Signals 1 Air Form. Sigs. Panel ReferencePanel 8. Column 1.MemorialBROOKWOOD MEMORIAL
Additional Information:

Son of Joseph and Mary Jane Grant; husband of Vera May Grant, of Framwellgate Moor, Durham.


I can't find a list of casualties from the Benalbanach but if you approach the regiment direct (or its successor as many have amalgamated or changed name) they should be able to confirm.

[boogie2]

Thanks, Lyall. Through the above links I have found 353 Army personnel died almost immediately the ship was torpedoed. (From an Italian plane) Over 50 crew also died. Also he is remembered on a memorial wall at the Brookwood Memorial in Surry.

[boogie2]

Thanks again shoota. I have no emotional links with Peter but the story behind it may interest you. Vera was my mother who died couple of years ago. She married my father after the war and I came along in 1955. When I was 18 I wanted a passport and needed my birth certificate. It showed my mothers maiden name as nee Grant, which was a surprise as no one had ever mentioned that she had previously married. She cut me short when the subject was raised. My gran told me about Peter dying during the war but nothing else. Don't know why but she would never talk about him. After Vera died time passes and recently I have sorted out a lot of old paperwork. There is no mention anywhere of him other than on her wedding certificate to my dad. There are no wedding photo's though her cousin has sent me one as he was a page boy. After Peter died (they were only married a shot time) my grandfather apparently banned her for going out for a year though she did work in a munitions factory. Aren't old folk strange.

[shoota]

It's fascinating delving back isn't it? Imagining all the stories around a few bare facts.
(1955 is a good vintage....)