RASC WW2

[Mousey]

Have found 2 photos of a soldier wearing the RASC uniform in my Grandmothers collection. One is in a postcard format and has the following written on it '? Kirk T/208642, 140 Petrol Dept, RASC, BLA'. The other has a name which looks like 'George Kirk of Preston, Lancs'. I have no idea who this gentleman is or what his connection with my family is. Does anyone have any info on him or his unit?

[km1971]

The ASC became the RASC just before the end of WW1. I could not find a medal index card for a Kirk with that number, nor one in the R/ASC. What is significant is that in 1920 they introduced unique seven digit numbers. As George Kirk still had a six digit number you know they were sent within a narrow space in time.

If he was still in the army in January 1921 his service records are still with the MOD and classed as private, although they are talking about releasing them for men discharged between the wars.

You could try a request for a Directory lookup about 1920 in the Preston/Blackpool area or the Lancashire board. Or try contacting the museum for the Royal Logistics Corps. They will not release any information about Kirk, but they may be able to tell you where his unit was stationed.

Ken

[Mousey]

Have just found on the National Archive website a First World War widows' pension form for a Kirk George C H RASC date range 1915-1922. I guess this could be my guy. This means a trip to Kew in the near future. Thanks for the info.

What does the B.L.A stand for?

[IMBER]

I cannot be certain but I think it's British Liberation Army.

[ainslie]

The first photo is certainly and the second probably WW2 vintage, from the uniform (battledress not service dress), shoulder title of corps (cloth on sleeve, not brass on epaulette, including the R for Royal as pointed out already) and formation signs etc.
A

[scrimnet]

Indeed the pics show a chap from the RASC from WW2...In fact narrowed down to early 1944...

He has the medal ribbon of the Africa Star on and has 1940ptn BD on. His hat is that of the Cap GS first issued in late 1943...

He is probably in Italy when this pic was taken

There is no way that this chaps pics could be from WW1 I'm afraid!!

The formation sign is that of the 1st Army, the RASC shoulder title above and the arm of service strip below...

[scrimnet]

Have now successfully split this and the piggy back topic!

Renamed WW2 to avoid confusion...