WW2 - William Alexander Hodgson. 14287470

[*Sandra*]

Trying to find a little more information for a young niece interested in following her great grandfather through WW2. (we know there are not any/many records available)  We have found a UK British Army WW2 Medal Card - 1939 - 1945  - William Alexander Hodgson - born 23 March 1921 - discharged 31 March 1947 - Service No :- 14287470 - Regiment :- Reme  - 1939 - 1945  - She thinks he was a Lance Corporal.

On one of the photographs she has of him - on his sleeve is REME and underneath a  "Y"
Dos anyone know the meaning of the " Y " please ? Might have found the answer - added below.

Sadly I have no access to help her view the card. (Fold3)

Can anyone find any further information or a copy of the card if that was possible.

She would be grateful for any help, thank you

Sandra

Added :- We have found this explanation perhaps.

The "Y" service in REME likely refers to a specific type of equipment or maintenance task, but more context is needed to understand the exact meaning. REME is the British Army's maintenance arm, responsible for repairing and maintaining the Army's equipment, and "Y" is a common letter used to denote a specific category or type of task, according to the British Army.

[alan o]

Is this brass badge or a cloth one?  The REME is presumably on his shoulder on the epaulette so if the Y is below it then it sounds like a formation sign if it is on his upper arm.  A photo would help greatly.

[*Sandra*]

It looks like white embroidered (on a black and white photograph)  Its on the left sleeve. The R.E.M.E and underneath the " Y"




Thank You
Sandra

[Andy J2022]

The records of REME servicemen who served between 1920 and 1963 are now at the National Archives and are located in WO 420. Currently William Hodgson's record does not appear when doing an online search via Discovery, I suspect because he was born less than 115 years ago (Quote from TNA website: "Images are made available for those records where it is known that the birth date of the record subject falls over 100 years ago"). However you or his niece can still ask for his record using a Freedom of Information request. Use this online form

[Andy J2022]

Also bear in mind that the REME was not formed until 1 October 1942 and so if William was already in the Army from 1939 he would have been in another Corps, probably in much the same trade as that which he held in REME. The main feeder Coprs were:  Royal Army Ordnance Corps—maintenance of weapons and armoured vehicles;  Royal Engineers—engineering plant and machinery plus RE motor transport; Royal Corps of Signals—communications equipment; Royal Army Service Corps—other motor transport, and Royal Artillery—heavy weapons artificers.

[*Sandra*]

Hopefully this works

[alan o]

That is a Lance Corporal's chevron.  The REME title and medal ribbon make it likely to be 1945 or later.

[alan o]

Yes it is a formation sign above his LCpl's chevron.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30072605

5th Infantry Division wore a white Y

[*Sandra*]

Thank you very much Alan, she is going to be really chuffed with the extra information.

Thank You
Sandra