Hello everyone

I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction or give me some advice. I'm helping my husband research his family and his grandfather RSM Fred Emerson in particular.

We know that Fred was in the Sherwood Foresters during WWII and that he was also in BAOR supposedly in Nuremburg. We have recently got copies of his service record which is quite informative but not when it comes to BAOR, only giving the dates he was with them 18-11-45 to 2-2-49 but no location/s. The only other thing we have is a certificate of appreciation signed by Montgomery in June 1946, which I imagine was given to alot of men.

We would like to know more detail on where he was in Germany and what he did there during his 3 + years but don't know where to go next. Would he still have been with the Foresters or transferred to another regiment or unit within the BAOR and how do we find out if it doesn't say so on his army records?

Thanks in advance for your time

linda

Hello Linda, and welcome to our happy band.

There is a site that charts much of the history of various units that were in Germany, and elsewhere, from 1945. Unfortunately, I have lost the address for it and will have to search it out again.

I can tell you that there is a reference here:-

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=FPAMQ3oIT_4C&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=%22Bad%2BLippspringe%2BBaor&source=web&ots=6yMhlWcDnL&sig=wSvGnqk7trbaCPyTF18_MxgS29E&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA16,M1

It shows the 1st Bn as being in Goslar, arriving there in March 1948. There is also a mention of them being in Essex Barracks, Hildesheim here:-

http://baor-locations.com/essexbks.aspx

And in the same area, but in a different Barracks, here:-

http://baor-locations.com/tofrekbks.aspx

I will try and find that site address for you.

Paul.

Found the site and page:-

http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/Sherwood_Foresters.aspx

Also, have you tried the WFR Regimental Association?

Paul.

Hi Paul and all,

Thanks for the british-army-units site; also in another post fogottenhistory site.

I have been able to trace Royal Enginers units I was in [or attach to]
4 Training - Aldershot
3 Training - Cove
40 Field Sqn - Osnabruck

Course at 12 Trades Training - Chatham

Reserves:
Marchwood
Longmoor

I also did a two week reserve stint camped at Laindon, Essex, we travelled each day to Port of London.
Was a Port Training unit based there?

Is there a site with details of the Reservist units?

Regards
Tony

Linda,

Let's see if we can get this moving again

The Sherwood Foresters have been listed as follows:-

1st Battalion
1947: Germany
Mar 1948: Germany: Manchester Barracks (Fleiger Horst Camp), Goslar
15 Aug 1948: Amalgamated with 2nd Battalion without change of title
1950: Germany: Manchester Barracks (Fleiger Horst Camp), Goslar

The 2nd Battalion spent the latter part of 1945 in Palestine, and were still there in 1946. They only moved to Germany to amalgamate with the 1st Bn.

So your husband's grandfather would have spent the time you stated in Germany, most likely. His service record would most likely have refelected any change in cap badge. How long did he serve, to reach RSM, even in time of war would have been an achievement for a "duration" soldier, unless he had prior service or was in when the war started.

Have you enquired as to if War or Regimental Diaries exist? If they do and are open, you may find something there.

Paul.

Linda,

Have you had a look at:-

http://www.wfrmuseum.org.uk/archives.htm

Paul.