help interpreting ww2 service record

[rs2016]

Hi all, I would be grateful if anyone is able to interpret this record for me, it belongs to my grandfather. I know he served in Palestine in the REME but i'm hoping to find more detailed information regarding his movements from these abbreviations, i'm uploading in 3 parts due to file sizes. Thanks in advance.

[rs2016]

1st

[rs2016]

2nd

[rs2016]

3rd

[MaxD]

Part 1:
First is A Company 2 Depot Battalion Royal Engineers in UK.  This was a holding unti where men were held (obviously!) pending their next move.  He was waiting to go overseas.
On 12 Dec 1943 he goes overseas in a draft given the letters RGZGG (they don't mean anything) and disembarks in North Africa on Christmas Day 1943.
He is then "Taken on Strength" of No1 General Reinforcement Training Depot and is designated X4 which simply means he waiting to be assigned to a particular unit.

There is a war diary for No 1 GRTD - not digitised.  So far apart from being in North Africa, we don't know where he was exactly.

More follows.

MaxD

[MaxD]

Diversion

The first unit ends with RE which suggest that he may have been in the Royal Engineers, a thought reinforced by the next set of entries.

In Feb 1944 he is posted from the GRTD to 542 Electrical and Mechanical Company Royal Engineers with whom he remains.

the next lines follow his movement with the army in North Africa although the next two entries for Jan 1945 seem mixed up.  He is starting in CMF, Central Mediterranean Force and being moved to Middle East Force, the next says exactly the reverse. All we can tell by the end of part two is that he is in the Middle East.  This part ends with him being in hospital sick (PO X2).

More follows.

MaxD

[MaxD]

Part 3

In November 1945 he is examined ready for release, found fit.  Just prior to that he was appointed first unpaid then paid  Lance Corporal.

Presumably there are further entries dealing with his return to UK.

Apart from translating most of the initials, I know you are not much further forward.  I have found the first unit and amended my first post.  There are war diaries for part of the period when he was with 542 E&M Company although these are not digitised.

On a more general note. Although it is difficult, it is always best to see the whole record as context often holds clues or, for example, a conduct sheet or record of hospital admissions may have clues to locations.   Always possible that someone may have served with or alongside that company and may be able to say.  Before we consider a museum, I'd like to be sure about his regiment. 

I have sent you a PM.

MaxD

[Brewins girl]

As always MaxD is a mine of information and assistance.

Regarding a REME soldier, I would strongly recommend a visit to the REME Museum at Lyneham https://www.rememuseum.org.uk

[MaxD]

Brewins girl - you are too kind!  I should have come back after a diversion to the PM system to confirm that the man in question served with the Royal Engineers but as REME evolved out of elements of the RE among others, I'd endorse your suggestion to visit the REME Museum.

MaxD