Albert, 2nd left
Albert left
Albert, 2nd from right in the darker uniform.
Service record:
HOME 10.2.44 to 18.3.46
On Feb 10, 1944, Albert returned to the UK now part of the Royal Armoured Corps. Probably based at Bovington initially training more of the RAC for D Day.
His record book shows: 'Passed classes of instruction' in:
Crew Commander Course A.F.V. 12.7.44 [Armoured Fighting Vehicles]
D&M Instructor Course 6.2.45 [Driving & Maintenance]
During his last year in the army Albert spent a lot of time in Portsmouth where his brother Bill was based with the Royal Marines. Whilst there he met Queenie Gower and married her on August 18, 1945, with Bill as best man. They lived in Southsea so he must have been based in Portsmouth by then. Albert's occupation on the marriage certificate is 'R.G.C.'
From Albert's 'Regular Army, Certificate of Service' book:
Final assessments of Conduct and Character on Leaving the Colours
Military Conduct: Exemplary
Testimonial: A man with a good mechanical knowledge, not afraid of hard
work and very trustworthy. Honest, sober and reliable.
Place: Barnet; Date 3 Dec 45.
His record book shows that he was transferred to the Reserves on 18.3.1946 - 10 years to the day from when he first joined. However it shows that he actually left the army on December 3, 1945, having served 9 years 308 days.
S.O.S ME to UK 11.1.44
T.O.S. ex O/seas 10.2.44
Training: Att. A Crew Commanders Course; Wir
eless "A"; D&M "A"; Gunnery "A" 14 June to 12 July 1944 RAC Depot
Attached (pending posting) 61st Tng Regt RAC 20.7.44
Posted & TOS 21.7.44
AFV School Att. DCM instructor course (Sherman) M.Wing AFV school : "P.L."; 21.12.44 to 6.2.45; 61 Trg Rgt.
Blood Donor at Barnard Castle on Apr. 9 1945
Military Conduct: Exemplary
Testimonial: A man with good mechanical knowledge. Not afraid of hard work & very trustworthy. Honest, sober and reliable.
Signed : G.F. Mears, Major
Medals: War Medal 1939/45
Date and place of marriage: 18.8.45 Southsea
Proceeded on release leave: 29.11.45
B RES 19-3-46 to 14-5-48
Relegated to Section B regular army reserve 18.3.46
Total service engagement to date of discharge: 9 years 308 days
Total reckonable overseas service 4 yrs 160 days
Rank for release and overseas W/Sgt
Rank for war gratuity W/Sgt
Z RES 15.5.48 to 16.1.59
The photos on this page are thought to be in the Summer of 1944, possibly the Crew Commander Course.
The three below are obviously all in the same place, and look like England in 1944/45.
Albert, left
Albert right
Corp. Albert front centre