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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Pannier Tank on Tuesday 28 September 10 13:24 BST (UK)

Title: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Pannier Tank on Tuesday 28 September 10 13:24 BST (UK)
Hi All,

I am trying to pieace together my Grandfathers service history in the Royal Army Ordnance Corp. I have tried writing to Deepcut Barracks but get no responce.

In 1937 he was posted to 4 Section RAOC & later in 1939 4 section at HQ.ADV.ORD Depot, Didcot.
From 6/9/1939  - 17/6/40 he is with the BEF, his units are H.Q. A.O.D. It changes to G.H.Q 2nd Ech & then G.H.Q A.O.D. On 3/6/1940 he was posted A.F.V.O.D.

A single line states From BEF on 18/6/40 and he is at Penny Gillam Camp near Launceston, Cornwall.

I beleive he arrived back via Falmouth. He never spoke about his experience, but I guess he must have been part of the BEF left behind after Dunkirk. I think however he lost friends in a unpleasant way. Can anyone shed some light on this please. I would love to know some kind of location.

Regards

Matt
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Redd on Sunday 03 October 10 19:18 BST (UK)
Hi Matt

I have an RAOC regimental history book. I will have a check through it in the next day or so - when I get a quiet moment! - and see if there is anything there to help you.

Jules
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Peter J on Sunday 03 October 10 19:58 BST (UK)
Hello Matt,

Sounds as though you already have his service records - would that be correct?

Peter
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Redd on Monday 04 October 10 12:26 BST (UK)
Matt I've found some bits that might help. Let me know if you want the relevant pages scanning. :)
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Pannier Tank on Monday 04 October 10 20:14 BST (UK)
Hi Redd,

Yes please, that would be really very useful and thank you.

thanks

Matt
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Pannier Tank on Monday 04 October 10 20:14 BST (UK)
Quote from: Peter J on Sunday 03 October 10 19:58 BST (UK)
Hello Matt,

Sounds as though you already have his service records - would that be correct?

Peter

Peter,
yes you are correct I do have his service records. Being an engineer I have no idea what they mean.

Matt
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Redd on Monday 04 October 10 22:26 BST (UK)
This is the third time I am trying to upload these - hope it works this time  ;D

Let me know if you need any of the abbreviations translating!
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Redd on Monday 04 October 10 22:29 BST (UK)
Thought they were going to be thumbnails    ::)  Anyway the two other pages  :)
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Pannier Tank on Tuesday 05 October 10 12:47 BST (UK)
Hi Redd,

Wow thanks for that. Looks good. I might need a little help with the abbreviations. I will have a proper read an come back.

Thanks again.

Matt
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: Redd on Tuesday 05 October 10 18:29 BST (UK)
Ok. You're welcome :)

I'd be interested in what you find out about him.
Title: Re: RAOC BEF Evacuation
Post by: ScouseBoy on Sunday 07 November 10 10:04 GMT (UK)
he may have got out of france  via St. Nazaire,   and been involved  in the Lancastria incident.  The troopship Lancastria  was bombed while anchored off St Nazaire on 17th June 1940 with the loss of an estimated 3000 (or more).

See another thread  HMT Lancastria.

My dad was also in St Nazaire on that date, and he  got back to Falmouth, presumably on the 18th June 1940.