W ROSSITER, a Gypsy, pioneer RE

[gypsy]

My gt grandfather, William ROSSITER, a Gypsy, was a pioneer in the Royal Engineers and I have his unit register card. I would appreciate learning a little about this card and some of the information contained in it if anybody is willing to help:

Dispersal area in Uk to which proceeding: XC (anybody know where this was?)

Industrial group as shown on AFZ8 = 37 (what's this?)

Trade - general dealer (this was his ususal occupation)

Demobilizer or Pivotal Man = left blank

Date on Release = left blank

Married

If for Repatriation Overseas = left blank

Length of service = 2 yrs 1 month

Services in the Field = 2 yrs

Service catagory = 1xa (what's this?)

medical category = A (fit?)

Specialist qualification = roadmaking (a "trade" that a number of Gypsies and travellers turne to after the war)

Year of birth = 1879 (incorrect he was probably younger?)

Corps = Royal Engineers

Unit = 341 Road Constuction Coy

Number and rank = WR/2b211 (or WR/26211) pioneer

Name: ROSSITER, W

Were these cards given to everybody?

Did he have this card throughout the war or was it given to him at the end?

I know little else about his war service other than he wouldn't touch "bully beef" nor baked beans after his return and often complained to his family about the walking and walking that he had to endure. And this was from a man that had spent most of his young life walking alongside his father's wagon as they travelled throughout Kent and beyond! As WW2 broke out he encouraged at least one of his sons to join up quickly so that they could get a postiton of their choice - he was correct and the son in question never did see any action overseas! I have mixed feelings about this as my own grandfather (the other side of the family) died in Burma WW2.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Shelley

[Terry_Reeves]

Shelley

All men would have had a card like this on demobilization. The dispersal area code refers to the area of the UK he would be demobilzed from. Within these areas there were a number of Dispersal Stations, where the administration would take place. There were at least 26 Dispersal Stations in the UK.

Men were placed into over 40 Industrial Goups for demobilization although the group number did not necessarily indicate a priority order.

Terry Reeves

[gypsy]

Terry

Many thanks for your reply. I've had this card for some years now and hadn't been able to find out anything about them which I find somewhat surprising if every demobbed soldier had one! Now I know what it is and why he had it!

Shelley