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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Barnes75 on Monday 06 July 15 09:57 BST (UK)
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Hi
I am trying to find information on my granddad's time in Birkenhead territorial army. He was in the territorial army before the start of WW2 and was one of the first to be called up (I believe). He was in the war until the end and am trying to find any information on him while he was in the TA before the war and his service history during the war and just don't know where to start any help would be appreciated.
His name was William Joseph Barnes born 1913.
Many thanks
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He was probably in the 4th Battalion Cheshire Regiment. They have a research service available for £10-15 from their museum in Chester. They probably cannot give you any personal information because of the privacy laws, but will know when they were embodied (became full-time) and where they served during WW2.
For his record you will have to apply to the MOD - https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/overview
They may require his army number, which the museum may be able to help you with. In all cases you have to supply the MOD with a copy of his death certificate.
The TA served for four years and one of the conditions was they had to agree to be 'embodied' in a national emergency - such as WW2.
Ken
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Thanks for the information Ken
I believe that he served in India, Greece, Italy, Greece, Suez Canal, Egypt and South Africa. He didn't want his medals after the war and I believe that he applied for his medals in the 1980's to 1990's.
We believe he spent time at the Suez Canal and Table Top Mountain. Speaking to my dad last night he believe's that his unit had heavy loses and he thinks that they may have joined another unit, he was on the ack ack guns.
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Could he have been in 57th LAA Regiment, 4th Indian Division. Do you have a Thread on WW2 Talk.
Added: Can't find original Territorial Battalion most odd. 4th Cheshires seemed to have served as infantry battalion whole war.
From photos on WW2 Talk shoulder badge was divisional emblem for 4th Indian Division.
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Hi
Thank you for that unsure of what regiment he would have been in, would it be helpful to post in the WW2 talk thread.
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Hi
Thank you for that unsure of what regiment he would have been in, would it be helpful to post in the WW2 talk thread.
On WW2Talk there is a Thread entitled 'Birkenhead Territorial Army' by Barnes75 dated 6th July 10.34AM. 5 photo's.You have had answers.
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Hi here are some photos of my granddad in uniform during the WW2.
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Photo
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Photo
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Thanks for these. See the shoulder badge of 4th Indian Division.
I think I have traced the lineage, in autumn 1938, 5th Battalion (1st Line TA) Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was converted to 53rd LAA Regiment RA. In spring 1939, the 2nd Line TA was split from it as 57th LAA Regiment RA. The sources say that not all personnel were Yorkshire.
Added: So Cheshire Regt. 4 TA battalion pre war and at some point transferred to 5/KOYLI converted to 57th LAA Regt.
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Thank you so much for the information, will have to quiz my dad more to see what else he can remember but my granddad didn't talk too much about his experiences, when he left at the end of the war he didn't even want his medals and I believe he sent of for them in the 1980's or 1990's.
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As far as looking up your grandfathers records, I can't help you. Hopefully, KM71 will revisit this and he will be able to help you.