I have been sorting through some boxes of paperwork belonging to my late father and have come across a "Soldiers Release Book" Class A, ths book is in the name of my grandfather and I woud like to try and find out what he was and where he served. The information contained therein reads as follows
Army No: 11117762 Present rank: Gunner
Surname: Thompson
Christian names: Robert Edmund
Unit, Regt, Corps:362/41 S/L Regt RA
Date of last enlistment: 20-2-1941
Trade on enlistment: Postman
Military Conduct: Exemplary.
Testimonal:...........
Place BAOR Date 1 Dec 1945
Officers signature: ? Dickinson-Mayers?

I also have what I can only describe as a handmade card which reads inside: Ontracht dit klein gedenkenis
Als de boodschapper
Van mijne wenschen
German I think ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks Paul, I tried to translate it on the web but with no joy

The phrases have been posted, and all I can do now is wait!!

As with a lot of Reserve Forces in WW2, I would surmise that 41st Searchlight Regiment was a re-roled Infantry Regiment, in this case the 5th North Staffordshire's.

By about 1941 there were around 70 Searchlight Regiments in existence. The 93rd was the last to be formed, in October 1942, so the 41st was in existence before then, possibly from around, or before, the date of your grandfather's enlistment.

After 1942 there were radical changes with 19 Regiments being re-roled (some possibly for the second time) or disbanded, with 11 more meeting the same fate the next year along with 15 more being posted overseas. Two more were posted overseas in 1944.

By the end of WW2 only 6 Regiments, of 3 Batteries each, were still in the UK. The last Regular Searchlight Regiment was disbanded in 1956, with the T.A Regiments soldiering on for a while longer before the last of the equipment was returned to the Royal Engineers in 1960.

I have found reference to 362 Battery possibly being deployed at Brixham around September 1940, but it is highly probable that this battery was transferred from another Regiment on the formation of the 41st. In fact there is another reference to the fact that 362 originated as part of 91st Field Regiment R.A.

Regards for now,

Paul.

Many thanks Paul will await results I do have some photos which I will endeavour to post.

There are no replies yet, but my own thoughts lead to a possible mix of Dutch and German.

Ontracht dit klein gedenkenis
Als de boodschapper
Van mijne wenschen


dit klein - this small (Dutch)
Als de boodschapper - As a messenger (Dutch)
Van mijne wenschen - Of my wishes (Dutch for my = mijn, German = meine - Dutch for wishes = wensen, German = wunsche)

That is about as much as I can work out for the moment. Is the script in English or Continental style?

Paul.

Not sure about the script but when I can get to scanner tomorrow will try and download/upload whichever it is.

Have spoken to my Mum (it was her Dad in question) and she says he was in Holland and Belgium. I have a tried a Flemish translation but only got as far as "a messenger".

Mum, I am sure has some photos of him whilst abroad, I am visiting her tomorrow and will borrow them and try and upload/download whichever it is.

Cowpig

I have received a reply from my other posting, and the answer is very similar to my last post here.

The problem stems from the first word of the passage you posted - Ontracht.

Paul.

Whoops thought it was going too well

Found this as well - name on back says A E Boulter, 4 Portland Street, Cosby, Nr Leicester - Anytime you are near call in.
Xmas 1845

Cracking images!!

I will post an edited image of the card on the site that I asked for a translation, taking out the personal bits.

Thanks.

Paul.

I agree, great photo's.

and...

It's certainly not German, that I can vouch for