guerramundial1 Posted 5 May , 2021 Share Posted 5 May , 2021 My grandfather enlisted as a volunteer in the Belgian Army in 1915 after escaping from Belgium through the Netherlands. He did that in the recruitment agency of London, which means that almost for sure he arrived at Folkstone (and not Dover, because there was another recruitment agency). He ended up in the 2nd Carabiners Regiment (infantry, similar to Rifles) and got a machine gun instruction in Criel sur Mer (France). He managed to survive the war and on November 18th 1918 he was promoted Sergeant and attached to the Translators Corps. He got close contact with RAF people (NCOs). Enclosed the original photograph and the coloured version. In his dictionary (English/French) is the following written: 8391 (roll number) Marcel Darcis (name and surname) 9th A.P. R.A.F. (9th Aircraft Park (presumibly), Royal Air Force) Heukelom (Hamlet) Vroenhoven (Village) Limbourg (Province/county) Belgique (Belgium) There was a 9th Aircraft Park at Noyelles-sur-l'Escaut (France), a village southwest of Cambrai. Does anyone have additional information about Aircraft Parks and the 9th in particular? Best regards, Wim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 6 May , 2021 Share Posted 6 May , 2021 Wim, Very nice photo and remembrance of your grandfather. What was your g'father's position at the park---interpreter/guard/aircraft rigger/ mechanic/other ?? Regards, JMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guerramundial1 Posted 7 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 7 May , 2021 Hi JMB. He was interpreter, I suppose for the Belgian liason officer. The Translator Corps belonged to the Belgian Gendarmerie. Regards Wim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 7 May , 2021 Share Posted 7 May , 2021 6 minutes ago, guerramundial1 said: Hi JMB. He was interpreter, I suppose for the Belgian liason officer. The Translator Corps belonged to the Belgian Gendarmerie. Regards Wim Have you checked his service files in Brussels? Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guerramundial1 Posted 7 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 7 May , 2021 Hi Jan, Indeed, I have a copy of his service files and medals. Regards Wim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guerramundial1 Posted 7 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 7 May , 2021 This is a picture dated around March 1919 in Düsseldorf (Germany), when the Belgian Army participated in the occupation of the Rhine river. My grandfather and a colleague in front of the building which nowadays is the district government. Also the typical Rhine barges on the river. Wim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guerramundial1 Posted 7 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 7 May , 2021 The original picture: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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