James Mills Army Record Help UK

[toby_ax]

Hi all,

I recently posted a photo restoration for James Mills. Which was great.

It got me thinking of what exactly he did in WW2.
And I would massively appreciate your help with finding it out.

My mum has got his military records.
Approved Society - R.A.F.S - Does that mean he was in the Royal Air Force, I can't find anything online on what approved society actually meant/means.

And then I am unsure on the meaning of 'LS'? of W. A. C.

Were these Army books filled out by the individual themselves, as the X near his name could be taken as the Mark of, unless it was accidental or has an alternative meaning.

Is anyone also able to read his occupation, Mile Shipman?

James's life is a little odd, his entire family stayed in Hull, East Yorkshire, James is in Hull in the 1939 register, which I believe was taken in September, he then marries in Keighley, West Yorkshire, 70 miles away from Hull, in the following July of 1940. Keighley is a rather uneventful town to move to from Hull.

Place of Enlistment, does that read as BULford? Keighley / Shipley, where he lived, is close to BRADford but not BULford.

His Compassionate Leave in the booklet makes no sense of when any of his parents or siblings passed. And his Privilege leave also doesn't make sense as to when any of his Children were born.

Training suggests:
Completed Recruits course of military training.
Completed Driving course

and some others I can not read.

Thanks all for reading.
See one page below. Along with his hat and emblem

[toby_ax]

Also, If I or my mum order his military records, will it tell me more than this booklet does? I have no experience in this field.

[nanny jan]

I think the occupation could be  Mule Spinner; found in mills of which there were many in Keighley.

Approved Society   RAFS;   think this could have been some sort of life/health insurance pre the start of the NHS. He was member 256189.


D of W    duration of war.

Enlisted at Bulford;  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulford_Camp

I have sent for an Army service record;  numerous pages with details of postings, promotions, courses taken etc.  Full of information.

[toby_ax]

Ah thank you.

The booklet I have has:
Soldiers description
Training and courses taken
Leave Granted
Medical Classification / Innoculation
Next of Kin
Release Record

Just not sure if requesting for his records would tell me more, or what I already have.

A Mills working in a Mill - fitting. Thanks for that.

Thanks again. 

[nanny jan]

I've not seen a booklet only several sheets; I think about 20+ for the soldier I was researching.

Does the booklet have any sort of title.....Discharge documents?

[toby_ax]

Just a record of his compassionate and Privilege leaves as well as his release record on a separate sheet which lists his rank as Pte - private, but no title, but I think this was just to allow him to receive medical treatment after the war.

'MEDICAL TREATMENT AFTER LEAVING MILITARY DISPERSAL UNIT' dated 4 November 1946.

[Andy J2022]

His cap badge looks like the Royal Marines, but  that doesn't fit if his other service documents relate to the Army, and his rank is refered to as Private.

[toby_ax]

Yes its a bit confusing, I have no idea on what different hats were and meant.

but the front book says army on it, but then every Army type is crossed out in the booklet, a tad strange.