Josepth Vickers Hamilton, Welch Regt/Corps of Royal Engineers

[Kosakova]

I've been tracking his journey around the UK for courses, etc and on 12.03.45 he departs from India. I can see no reference to where the ship would have left, does anyone have any ideas please?

[MaxD]

He went to (you said "from") India by plane - see the entry "Deplaned India 12 3 45" (deplaned being army speak for getting off a plane, we also embus and debus!).

Don't ask where from/to!

MaxD

[Kosakova]

Hi Max, sorry I meant 'for' India. I've been awake since 5.30 am this morning, so not thinking straight.

[RobMal]

Hi, I have just joined this site.
It may be your grandfather served alongside mine, I'm waiting on his full military record.
He joined the Royal Artillery in 1942 and was first sent to Scotland but was then transferred to Royal Engineers and sent to field in March 1944.
I know he served in India and Burma. He was released in June 1946.
He was a transport foreman by trade and also helped in the air raid precautions as a transport officer. In Scotland he trained (we believe) others to drive and maintain large vehicles. I think he was in 227th regiment there.
He was very organised and good at making everything from my distant memory.
His release book states "barge engineer" as service
He was a sapper in RE 980 HVY W/SHPS COY I have no reason to believe that he served in any other company or unit from '44-'46
He was nicknamed "Grandad" as he was 39 when he arrived in India/Burma in '44.
His name was Stanley Allen.

[RobMal]

Ah maybe wrong about his time in Royal Artillery 1942-1944, probably the 227th Driver Training Regiment where he trained soldiers to drive and maintain lots of different vehicles spent time I think in Blackpool and then later in Scotland before joining the RE

[MaxD]

Welcome to the site!  As you are awaiting his record, it is probably sensible not to speculate too much about his service just now.  A barge engineer was a very good fit for 980 Inland Waterways Transport Heavy Workshop Company RE.  This thread has been continued here:
 https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=828343.msg6926883#msg6926883 where you will see that JV Hamilton ended as the most senior Warrant Officer in the company.
 
 It may be a good thing too to open a new thread with his name in the title for any queries about his service as that will avoid things getting lost and confused.

MaxD 

[RobMal]

Thanks Max, yes I will take your good advice.

Yes I am waiting on the military records and will start a thread once they are received.
I have my grandfather's army release book and it says his unit was 980 HVY W/SHPS COY RE
His service trade was - Barge Engineer

I'll start the thread once I have his records. Thank you

[Kosakova]

Hi RobMal, nice to hear from a fellow researcher. Be careful what you wish for - it can become all consuming!!  When I was a child my grandad gave me some textiles that he obviously got during the war, one is a Welch Regiment badge embroidery and the other is a Royal Artillery badge that is embroidered. I always wondered where that one fit in, but I'm starting to think it was maybe a memento of a friend he may have made during his time in the Royal Engineers. It's fascinating (and frustrating) in equal measures when you get the records to read. Good luck in your research. Kerry

[RobMal]

Hi Kerry, thanks, love that story. I'll heed your advice !
Can I ask, did you make it to the National Archive or get a copy of the war diaries for 980 Company or is that still work in progress for you ?