Dad's Army

I don't know if anyone saw the Channel 5 programme on Tuesday called "War Hero in my family". It's a programme a bit like "Who do you think you are" but it traces people's family members who took part in WW2. This week featured Ann Widdecombe's look into her uncle's military history in Tunisia. I was particularly interested in this as my own late father served in Tunisia too and it was good to have an insight into what it was like.

Dad had never talked about the war and all I knew was that he served in Tunisia; it was very hot and there were terrible problems with the sand and flies. He had also mentioned Sicily and Italy and I remember seeing some photos. Other than that I didn't have a clue.

This is Dad on the left possibly in Tunisia

Dad in the middle - possibly in Italy

About ten years ago I wrote to the Ministry of Defence to enquire if they had anything on their records that might be of interest to me. I was delighted to receive a plotted history of his service career. It was the best £20 I have ever spent as the information gave me lots to go on in my endeavour to see when and where he went. In the meantime I picked up this old paper/magazine at an antiques fair which helped with my research and what a find!

As a skilled engineer working with GEC Dad joined the Territorial Army prior to war breaking out and after initial training and going through the ranks he was eventually made up to Sergeant and posted to the newly formed Inspectorate in the REME (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers) where he was in charge of and oversaw the maintenance and day to day running of the tanks and other armoured vehicles.

He was posted to Tunisia on 8th November 1942 (not sure of his whereabouts prior to this date - must look into it). His unit was attached to the Eighth Army and after the Tunisian campaign was over on the 12 May 1943 they went on to capture Sicily and by late 1944 the army group pushed northward through Italy, capturing Rome. Italy was finally defeated in Spring 1945.

This little plotted history on two pages of A4 was enough to start many years of research into the story of his WW2 military service. It listed the medals he had won, physical description on enlistment and details of family. His testimonial, which says it all about my dad, said:

"An extremely good tradesman, selected for Inspectorate duties. Sober, reliable

and conscientious with a very pleasant disposition". 

Bye for now x