Soldiers Release Book

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

Cowpig wrote:

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

The language at the bottom seems more like Dutch than German!!

I will post it on anither site to see if any of the Dutch members recognise it.

Paul.

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

I think we now have a "close enough" translation. Any corrections from the other site will be posted later.

"Ontvangt" dit klein gedenkenis
Als de boodschapper
Van mijne wenschen

Corrected from "Ontracht"

Receive this small token of remembrance
As the messenger
Of my wishes

Paul.

Another first line could read:_

"Accept this small remembrance"

or

"Accept this small sign of remembrance"

Paul.

Thanks Paul,

Its all so interesting. I have found numerous photos of my late uncle who was on HMS Fitzroy plus a photo of my late father holding a model of the Fitzroy which my uncle made for him (there was 10+ years difference in their age).

All we need to know now is where the photo with the monument was taken and if anyone recognises the chap in the other photo.

If I find any more pics will post them - as I seem to be able to upload or download them fairly easily.

Glad that we were able to get something sorted out with the phrase at least.

Can you see what is actually on the plinth of the monument/statue with a magnifying glass? What can be seen of the buildings in the background makes me think that it is on the Continent somewhere.

Paul.

Sorry Paul, have tried to see what is says but to no avail, have even had my 14yr old son take a look (his eyes are better than mine) but he can't figure it out. All my Mum can remember is that he was in Holland and Belgium and that when he was stationed in Belgium he lived on a farm. I have found three photos of young girls (18/19) and Mum thinks that these are the daughters of the farmer where she stayed.

I have just received this translation:-

Accept this small token of remembrance
As the messenger
Of my wishes

As for HMS Fitzroy, she was sunk after detonating a mine, May 27th 1942. See here:-

http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-22MS-OldHunt-Sutton.htm

If you look at the following site, it gives her Battle Honours:-

http://www.captainclassfrigates.co.uk/honours/bhon.html

HMS Fitzroy was replaced, as far as I can see, by an American built ship of the same name, look here for details:-

http://www.captainclassfrigates.co.uk/ships/buckley.html

Click on her name and it will show you build details.

At least one member of the crew was MID - HOBBS
Charles Aldbrough, LS, HMS Fitzroy (Improved Hunt (Aberdare) Class M/S), 9 Jun 42, MID

Charles Aldbrough, PO, HMS Fitzroy (Improved Hunt (Aberdare) Class M/S), 30 Jul 42, MID

Minesweeping - First MID awarded for bravery, determination and fortitude in important minesweeping operations Orkneys & Shetland Oct 41.

Second MID awarded after ship mined and sunk East Coast 27 May 42.

If you scroll to the bottom of this page:-

http://www.mcdoa.org.uk/ww_ii_awards_for_rn_minesweeping_H.htm

There is an alphabet you can search through.

Good hunting.

Paul.

If you can upload the relevant photographs that my be connected to Belgium, I will have a go on the same site to see if any Belgian members can help.

Paul.

Thanks for all the info Paul will have a look later.

The photo which could be Belgium is the one with the monument, the others I mentioned are of three young girls but nothing else, they are taken in a studio of some sort and simply have their names on the back, these are written in pencil and faded but the best I can read is "Pharailda Virbist - 15 jaar" "Clementina Virbist - 11 jaar" and Louisa Virbist - 17 jaar"

Would it be South African?

On looking up the word "jaar" it turns out to be dutch for year and this would tie in with grandad being in Belgium/Holland.

Thanks for your reply though

If you can, post both sides of the photo. I will move them across to the other site to see if any of the Belgian members can throw any light on the subject.

Paul.