WW2 Service Record Help

[Fandorin]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me make sense of my Grandfathers War Record.

He mainly served with 1010 Dock Operating Company, RE in North Africa but there is lots of military jargon on there I wish to understand.

Theres a mention France, but no more information and also of Italy in the campaign/medal section, followed by another place, which again, I cannot decipher.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Fandorin]

Attached the campaign page which mentions Italy.

Seems strange that it doesn't mention Italy in the box at the top, but it is listed in the medal section?

Also cannot tell what word follows Italy, possibly Syracuse?

Thanks again for any help

[nanny jan]

Hi,

Could the word following Italy be Defence?


Nanny Jan

[DeeBoneham]

I agree with Jan that the word after Italy is defence. 
He was a naughty boy in Oct 42 wasnt he having been deducted some pay because he was AWOL. 
Interesting that he had secret clearance as a Stevedore... What was he working with? I wonder if thats how he ended up in Italy but without it being registered?
Can any of the Army bods confirm what MEF stands for? Maybe thats got something to do with it?
Dee

[sharki]

MEF=Middle East Forces.

[Fandorin]

I'd be very interested to know if as a Stevedore he would have been working on anything secret?!

[sharki]

Nothing I can see gives any clue to secret work but obviously there must have been times when he was involved in handling "mystery" items in the docks.
His medals as listed are, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with either 1st or 8th Army clasp, Italy Star, (since he was involved with Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily), the Defence Medal and the War Medal.
It would appear that he was also involved in the evacuation from France in 1940,not necessarily from Dunkirk however.

[Fandorin]

Regarding the Africa Star, can anyone make sense of why it says Clasp Pt II?

Should it not state either 1st, 8th or 39-45?

Thanks for all the help so far, its appreciated