War Office Fleet WWII

[Lumber-Jack]

On a 1944 marriage certificate, a relative gives his occupation as Engineer with the War Office Fleet. He told his son they did duties like towing targets for shore battery target practice. Any information I can find for the fleet relates to WW1. Can Any Rootschatters help with information on the War Office Fleet WW2 activities and if possible how I or or his son might obtain his service file. The period is not included in his merchant navy record for service before and after the war.   Thanks very much LJ

[KGarrad]

Service Records for all Armed Force personnel serving after 1920 are still with the MOD.

To apply, see:
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/overview

There is a charge of £30 - which is waived for the spouse or partner of the person you are searching for.

[stanmapstone]

From the  Nottingham Evening Post - Tuesday 07 March 1939
War Office's Fleet
One item in the current Army Estimates might puzzle the uninitiated. It is a little matter of £440,000, showing an increase of just £100,000 over last year's similar detail, for the fleet of steamers maintained by the Army Council. This apparent intrusion on the Admirality domain is explained by the necessity of transporting guns and tanks by sea, and also of towing artillery targets for gunnery practice. Ordinary cargo boats would not fulfil the Army's requirements in these directions, and so the War Office keeps up its own fleet.
It seems from the estimates, however, that the vessels concerned make voyages across to Ireland as well as coastwise trips, and that their upkeep effects a substantial saving on hiring charges which would otherwise be un-aviodable. Still it will be news to most people that the Army has its own navy!

Stan

[stanmapstone]

The War Department Fleet was part of the Royal Army Service Corps
Finally, in December 1888, these two bodies amalgamated with the War Department Fleet to form a new Army Service Corps, and for the first time officers and other ranks served in a single unified organisation.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Army_Service_Corps

Stan

[Lumber-Jack]

Thanks K and Stan.....very useful info....I will report out later on the search results.....as always Rootchatters come through. LJ