Mobile Disarmament Unit

[nanny jan]

I'm gradually getting to grips with service record of my mum's first husband.
The above reference has xRF in the unit column,  next column "D" Mobile Disarmament unit  X1, can't decipher next column, followed by rank W/Sgt, and the date 16/5/45.

What was a mobile disarmament unit?

I'll try to post a scan tomorrow as the next entries look to relate to him being injured but I'm not sure.

[ShaunJ]

The MDU's were responsible for collecting in the weapons surrendered by enemy forces in 1945, checking them, making them safe, counting them and storing them securely. I believe they also had responsibility for clearance of minefields. 

[nanny jan]

He was in the Royal Fusiliers, would they have been involved in that work?

Mum said he had been shot in the back and came back on a stretcher.

[MaxD]

W/Sgt is War/Sergeant ie the rank only counted till the end of hostilities.  X 1 MDU means (although seeing the original will help) that he was posted from the Royal Fusiliers (RF) to the MDU which was classed as a non combat unit - administrative hieroglyphics!

MaxD

[nanny jan]

I did wonder about the rank, thanks for the explanation.

Scan and post will be attempted tomorrow now that granny duties and dog sitting are over.

[nanny jan]

This is the section that I'm stuck on; can get "Awarded 1939/43 Star" but then......

[MaxD]

The first column is for the Part 2 Order numbers where the casualty was published - feel free to ignore.  Unit is useful although when not with his unit, the X list comes into play  Place sometimes helps although this has just Field and Central Mediterranean Force.  Rank is clear and date useful, remainder ignore.  Note that casualty means occurrence in army speak.

Admitted (from 467 something - need to see his postings) to 7(?) General Hospital and posted to X II list (code for away from his own unit in a med facility)  24 Oct 1944

Transferred to 7 Convalescent Depot (Italy) 2 Jan 45

(From X 2) to X 4a  now  awaiting posting (significance of list B not known) 20 Mar 45

From X 4 a Transferred to Infantry (Royal Fusiliers) in rank of War Sergeant and posted on the X 4 list to 7 Battalion Infantry Reinforcement Training Depot 31 Mar 45

From RF (to) Mobile Disarmament Unit X 1 (away from his own unit) 16 May 1945

(X 1) Admitted to 18 Casualty Clearing Station 8 Aug 45

Transferred to 70 Gen Hospital 10 Aug 45

Entrained in Ambulance Train for UK (BOS – not sure) (from) Central Mediterranean Force.  Ceased to be entitled to Mediterranean Allowance. 2 Nov 1945

If one could see the postings sheet it would help clarify some of this.

Guess work - he was in Italy in a unit with the number 467.  He went to hospital in Oct 44 followed by convalescence in Jan 45.  Out of there Mar 45 and is transferred to the infantry R Fus via a Reinforcement Depot.  From RF to MDU May 45.  Is injured and goes to a CCS Aug 45, then hospital (in Italy).  Is returned home via the Lines of Communication.

MaxD

[nanny jan]

That is very useful, thanks MaxD.  I'll hone my scan and posting skills tomorrow with the postings sheet.
Would a war diary give details of where and when he was injured?

[MaxD]

I should really say don't know.  War diaries are like the Forrest Gump box of chocolates.  If he was commissioned almost certainly.  If he was an other rank in the thick of action, highly unlikely.  If the unit was a small one and out of the direct fighting then the possibility is a bit greater.  I find it best to say that the diary should (even a caveat there) give an idea of what was going on around the relevant time from which you could say "he was probably wounded when .....".
The second hospitalisation which mentions the CCS looks like an injury.  Not sure about the first one (could be illness) - is there an entry preceding the admittance in Oct 44?  Do you have his Medical History sheet?

MaxD