Outward bound for India

[alyson123]

Thanks anyway ScouseBoy!

[seaweed]

I doubt very much you will find your ancestor on a passenger list or any indication in the ships logbook as to the units carried.
In all probability he sailed from the UK in Convoy WS26 and continued to Bombay from Capetown as part of Convoy WS26B.
The vessels in WS26B
CALIFORNIA
CYBASSA (RESCUE SHIP)
DEMPO
DILWARA
DOMINIAN MONARCH
MOOLTAN
STRATHEDEN

Apart from CYBASSA it would be possible for your man to be on any of these vessels.

I suggest you get hold of the Units war diary for the period which may give you some clues as to which vessel he sailed on.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=1252430&CATLN=6&Highlight=%2C20%2CROYAL&accessmethod=0&Summary=True

I have sent you a PM

[alyson123]

Hi Seaweed,
Thankyou for the clarification, I am new to military history so I am
pleased that I had noted the WS26B convoy and thought that he was
travelling in this group.
On Thomas' arrival in India, he was transferred to Queens Own Royal West
Kent Reg. on 4th Dec 1943, I am also very interested in filling in the gaps of his
service records ....... I wonder what he was doing with the 20th Bat Royal
Fus. until his transfer.
From letters he sent home I know that he was with 'A' Company 4th Batt. in
the QORWK Reg and from India he went on to serve at Kohima. I think that
war diaries are probably my only hope of ascertaining his movements ........
Would I be correct?
Thankyou for your interest.
Alyson123

[ScouseBoy]

He may have been waiting at a Transit Camp  before the Top Brass decided which theatre most needed reinforcements.

There was a big transit camp at a town in India called Dheolalli   (not sure of the correct spelling)   Pronounced Doo Lally.            It was  probably near Bombay, but I am not sure.

[seaweed]

Not much I am afraid.
See attached from War Diary. There were no entries between those dates. You will note that the regiment embarked on HT J2. Because of security Troopships were given a code number. Problem is the number was changed on a regular basis. So I cannot give you a name.

 "I think that
war diaries are probably my only hope of ascertaining his movements"

I am not an expert in Army matters so maybe someone who is can give you advise but I think it would pay you to go to the National Archive at Kew and look at piece's WO172/2514, WO172/4884 and WO172/7636.
Again others may give you more advice on obtaining information.

[alyson123]

Seaweed,
I am thrilled to see the war diary photos and although we are still unsure
as to the ships name that Thomas boarded, it is a real bonus for me to
know his exact movements for this period. I am extremely grateful to you
seaweed to have taken so much trouble in helping me ...... a very Big
Thankyou. I do hope to go to Nat. Arch. one day, and have made a note of
the catalogues you suggest I should look at. I find them so fascinating I
fear I would have to take along my sleeping bag!!
Kindest regards
Alyson123

[alyson123]

Just had a real stroke of luck!.........
I have been reading a doc. on the internet detailing Battalion locations
of The Royal Fusileers and apparently  20th Batt, embarked for Bombay
onboard the 'SS Mooltan'. It also detailed Allahabad as in the war diary
above, where they underwent Jungle Warfare Training.
I thought I would post this news as it may help others in their research.
Alyson123

[seaweed]

Great stuff!
I had a feeling it was MOOLTAN.
Could you give us a link to that website please.

[alyson123]

Hi Seaweed,
Yes, it was a real stroke of luck that I found this, happy to
provide the link: http://rrflondon.2day.ws/siteFiles/files/RRFLondon_RFLocationofBattalions_1246371704.pdf
Thankyou for providing me the movements of SS Mooltan
Alyson123