richbell747 Posted 5 September , 2006 Share Posted 5 September , 2006 Hi All I was given some advice recently, to go onto this site to try and find some information on my Grandfather's involvement in The Great War. He was born in 1896 in Beetley, Norfolk. Fortunately , he was one that survived WW1 as I recall he was injured, apparently sustaining a shrapnel wound in his thigh. He ended up as a Lt-Col at the end of WW2, having served in the Royal Engineers in the Middle East. I recall that he spent some time in Jordan and was involved in the construction of the Port facilities there. He emigrated after the War to Southern Rhodesia and went Tobacco Farming I would be very grateful if anyone perhaps could provide me with his service number and generally any info, pics and ancedotes as I'm not able to go to the UK to research this myself. I do have some photos of him, one I presume taken around 1914? and the other as the rank of Major taken in 1942.The Photo shows 3 medal Ribbons from WW1. At the end of WW2 he was awarded an OBE for his services in the military. Ironically I've searched for his name on the list of those who have received this honour, however his name does not come up at all. Rich Bell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 5 September , 2006 Share Posted 5 September , 2006 welcome to the forum Ive had a quick look but its a popular name (found a VC winner with this name) have you trawled the london gazette on line ? http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveSe...amp;Referer=WW1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 5 September , 2006 Share Posted 5 September , 2006 He appears to have been mentioned in despatches in WW2 : http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= This is a second entry for an MID, this time showing he had an OBE. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= Presumably his OBE was awarded between the two dates, but I can't find the entry. His WW1 buttons look a bit like rifle regiment buttons, but I may be wrong. Terry Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbell747 Posted 5 September , 2006 Author Share Posted 5 September , 2006 welcome to the forum Ive had a quick look but its a popular name (found a VC winner with this name) have you trawled the london gazette on line ? http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveSe...amp;Referer=WW1 Hi Coldstreamer. Thanks for the lead. The Bell with the VC I think was an Australian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbell747 Posted 5 September , 2006 Author Share Posted 5 September , 2006 He appears to have been mentioned in despatches in WW2 : http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= This is a second entry for an MID, this time showing he had an OBE. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= Presumably his OBE was awarded between the two dates, but I can't find the entry. His WW1 buttons look a bit like rifle regiment buttons, but I may be wrong. Terry Reeves Thanks Terry. Grandfather's OBE was awarded in 1944, so at least we have his service number (127537) . Thanks for your help. I am most impressed with this site and how response is. Keep it up. brgds Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 5 September , 2006 Share Posted 5 September , 2006 Rich Don't be mislead by the service number. This was not the one he was issued with in WW1. Officers personal numbers were announced in December 1929 (for use in official correspondence only) from January 1930. Terry Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 5 September , 2006 Share Posted 5 September , 2006 However, using that neumber in the Gazette search post-1930 should turn up a few promotions, etc. (maybe even his O.B.E.) Since he served in WW2 his papers should be with the MOD. If you write to them then you can get a summary of his service from them. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 5 September , 2006 Share Posted 5 September , 2006 Well done Steve. OBE here: http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...;selHonourType= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbell747 Posted 6 September , 2006 Author Share Posted 6 September , 2006 However, using that neumber in the Gazette search post-1930 should turn up a few promotions, etc. (maybe even his O.B.E.) Since he served in WW2 his papers should be with the MOD. If you write to them then you can get a summary of his service from them. Steve. Thanks a mill Steve. Will give it a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 6 September , 2006 Share Posted 6 September , 2006 This should be the address: Army Personnel Centre Historical Disclosures MP 400 Kentigern House 65 Brown St Glasgow G2 8EX Tel: 0845-600-9663 I believe you have to contact them first and then they will send out a form. You will probably have to prove that you are next of kin. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbell747 Posted 3 January , 2007 Author Share Posted 3 January , 2007 This should be the address: Army Personnel Centre Historical Disclosures MP 400 Kentigern House 65 Brown St Glasgow G2 8EX Tel: 0845-600-9663 Just to advise that I have found some information and I have the Regiment he was with. Still got to ID his number, but thre trail is not finished. Thanks for your info anyway. I would like as much gen as I can get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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