Help deciphering War records please

[Framesmiths1816]

Hi,

Is there anyone out there who might be able to help me in understanding my grandfathers War Records which have just arrived from the Army Personnel Dept.

I am very interested to understand his service in India and Burma to find out where some of these references might point to further information. During his time in Asia he seems to have been involved with the Queen's Own Royal West Kents, The Devonshire Reg', The Army Air Corp, 16 Para and the South Staffordshire Regiment. I am not sure if this amount of involvement with different regiments is unusual or not.

For example his movement to India from the uK is simply labelled "Draft RXJFQ" I cannot find what RXJFQ means. It could be a ship I suppose. Any ideas?

Many thanks - Mark

[Hackstaple]

The papers you have will probably show that he was in a specialist corps such as R.E.M.E. or R.A.O.C. or Signals or Artillery. Such men usually served on detachment to infantry regiments.

Since you mention the Army Air Corps then he may well have been artillery and flying as a spotter for artillery fire.

[Framesmiths1816]

The second entry is

TOS 4 Coy 4 Wing GHQ(I) BBRC (India)

which IO sort of understand, all except "BBRC". I cannot find any reference to BBRC means.

Any ideas?

[Hackstaple]

BBRC is British Base Reinforcment Camp - holding unit for men recently arrived in a theatre of war.

[Framesmiths1816]

The papers you have will probably show that he was in a specialist corps such as R.E.M.E. or R.A.O.C. or Signals or Artillery. Such men usually served on detachment to infantry regiments.

Since you mention the Army Air Corps then he may well have been artillery and flying as a spotter for artillery fire.

Thanks for this, he was an Infantry Man in the first instance with the Royal West Kents however I have been told he bacame an expert in un-armed combat. I also have a photo of him in Indian Army "Parachute" uniform.

The problem is trying to work out the truth from the myths.

atb - maRK

[Framesmiths1816]

BBRC is British Base Reinforcment Camp - holding unit for men recently arrived in a theatre of war.

Fantastic, thank you. That one have me foxed. The place looks to be written as "Deolati", does this mean any thing to you?

Many thanks - Mark

[Hackstaple]

Deolali - origin of the word Doollally - was a British transit camp 100 miles from Bombay.

It was where some of the episodes of "It ain't hot, Mum" were filmed.

Everyone who served on detachment to a  Para regiment had to have made their training drops.

Can't imagine why an infantryman would have served with so many units. His papers should show if he transferred out of the RWK and what specialist training he had.

[Framesmiths1816]

Deolali - origin of the word Doollally - was a British transit camp 100 miles from Bombay.

Again thank you. It would make sence as he disembarked in Bombay. He was 2nd RWK when he landed in India. He did transfer I think twice, Once into 16 Para but this isn't very clear because he was also on Attachment to them. After this he also transfered into the Devonshire Reg.

On the same day as the BBRC ref is another entry

"TOS x(io) (b) List"

Again I understand T.O.S. but the next ref's I am unsure.

Below this line about a month later it says

"Joined 20th R.(F/T/J ?) remains x(io) (b)"

I am uncertain of the second letter after R. it could be F, T or J.

atb - Mark

[Framesmiths1816]

If the above has people baffled, perhaps try this one. It is a stamp and looks like

"POSTEDRFTCAMPCOMILLA
11 AG SOS INDIA C MD"

reproduced here as written and stamped. This was about 4 months after arriving in India. At this time he is still 2nd RWK.

atb - Mark

Added - I think I can answer this one myself. RFT = Reinforcement so it should read Posted Reinforcement Camp Comilla 11 Army Group. Struck from strength India Comand. This is followed by

"TOS x(io)(a) A.L.F.S.E.A."

Which I now understand is Allied Land Forces, South East Asia (Taken on Strength). I think the "(a)" and (b) list references could be something to do with being totally fit or not. The "x(io)" still has me baffeld through.