Information sought on specific WW2 army bases in England

[BillR]

I am researching my late Father's numerous wartime letters to his mother.  The first billet from which he writes in December 1941 is in Kirkby, Notts.    In early 1942 he is moved to Lenton's Cafe Billet, Alfreton, Derbyshire; also to Claycross, Derbyshire; Quernmore Park, Caton, Lancaster and Okeover Hall, Ashbourne, Derbyshire amongst other places before being posted overseas in early 1943.  Does anyone have any information on these specific military bases or photographs that I might be able to include in my project?  My Dad was in the RASC initially but was transferred to the RAOC where he remained for the rest of the War.  As far as I can tell, he drove supply trucks and military vehicles until released in January 1946. Any assistance will be much appreciated.

BillR

[ScouseBoy]

Do you know his service number?

What date did he transfer to the new  corps.

[ScouseBoy]

Do you know what factories may have been in those areas where he was billeted?    They may  have been collecting manufactured products from factories and delivering them to a stores depot.

A large part of the RASC  was POL,  that is Petrol  Oil   and Lubricants.

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootschat BillR.

I do not think that a "billet" and an "army base" were the same thing.

A billet was generally a property taken over by the military, with room or rooms allocated for troops and the residents having to accomodate them. I may be wrong with this, but I thought that an army base was a purpose built facility with training, accomodation etc.

Have you googled the addresses?

Added: i found a couple of them via a google search.

[nanny jan]

Have you applied for a copy of his service record?  I think the cost is £30. Here's some useful information:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=651361.0



Nanny Jan

[BillR]

Thanks to ScouseBoy, Ruskie and Nanny Jan for your response to my query.   My Father's service number was 10677110. In the first year of his Army service his number was prefixed with a "T", which I assume meant he was in training. He transferred to the RAOC in September 1942.

I don't have any information about the places where he was based, or what he was doing, except I know that he was in Ramsgate at a driver training school in March / April 1942.  The purpose of my project is to try and piece together from his letters what he was doing during the War.  He didn't talk much about the War, and I didn't think to ask!

I've not applied for my Dad's service record.  All I have is his start and end dates.  Is this likely to tell me about where was stationed at home and overseas?

Your point regarding the difference between a billet and an Army base is well made.  The Lenton's Cafe Billet at Alfreton is clearly accommodation only.  I've googled the addresses only in so far as to find them on the map.  Coming from the north east of Scotland, my knowledge of these areas is very limited.  Perhaps I need to spend a week in England seeking them out!

Thanks again

BillR

[ScouseBoy]

Prefix "T"   for RASC   is likely to mean Transport.

[Ruskie]

I attempted to do something similar with my father in law's personal diaries. It is not easy especially if, like me, your knowledge of army terminology is non existent.

The service records should help you as everything is in chronological order. Cost is about £30 and the wait is currently two or three months. It won't tell you where he is billeted but using the dates from your letters it should help you piece his movements together. If you apply tell them about the T prefix for his service number - I don't know if it would be significant to them in looking for his records, but my thinking is that it is better to provide too much information that not enough.

Here is the link to the forms to print in case you haven't found them yet:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210233/request_service_details_NOK_pt1_v6.pdf

Good luck. Please pop back and let us know how you get on. 

Added: just aguess but might the T prefix denote territorial? I have a list of prefixes for WW1 but have not found one for WW2 yet.

[BillR]

Thanks again ScouseBoy and Ruskie.   Applying for my Dad's service record seems like a good plan.   I will make an application and report back when it is to hand.  Your assistance is much appreciated.

BillR