Tribute to my Grandfather.

[Matthew Childs]

Thanks for the info ray, unfortunately it can't be my grandfather in this case. Maybe next time.

[Matthew Childs]

I have just found a photo of granddad from when he was serving. (not really sure what i hope to accomplish by posting this)

[Tony Morcom]

Its called "Keeping the memory alive" Matt.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks for the info ray, unfortunately it can't be my grandfather in this case. Maybe next time.

Could you explain why you think this could not be your relative.

Interested:

Keith.

[Matthew Childs]

well according to family members he wasn't enlisted until 44' and then did his 6 weeks training in gloustershire before being posted. but they could be wrong i guess

[Keith at Tregenna]

RE: John Norman Childs and he was born on 16-11-1926 in Hereford, England (Forest of Dean)

Have you something documented re: above birth details ?

Closest I have found is John N CHILDS - Monmouth, Monmouthshire. 1926

This could be correct as there have been many border changes, at one stage Monmouthshire was part of England.

The County was returned to Wales and is known more now as Gwent.

Just food for thought really, hopefully it will help ?

Also, not my forte, pos someone can help further with:

Discharge numbers:

896519 John CHILDS Birth: 1926

964941 J CHILDS Birth: 1926

Would be interested to know if these help !

My thought, not proved yet, is that your relative as many did though young, wanted to take part in the war.

Possibly joining a ship as possibly he could do, with the intention of joining the amed force at 18.

Then at 18 and enlisting, as he would have had sea experience, possibly trained as an DEM's Gunner.

As said just a theory for now.

Would appreciate all thoughts.

K.

It would seem that John was a DEMs Gunner:



DEFENSIVELY EQUIPPED MERCHANT SHIPS

D.E.M.S. The Arming of Merchant Ships in WWII

The D.E.M.S. Gunners


They sailed aboard our merchant ships and manned outdated guns,
To defend against our enemies, Italians and the Huns,
They were gunners from the army or navy volunteers,
The rattle of the ack-ack was music to their ears.

Sea Ports kept artillery from the war before,
Handy now to give each ship to guard a little more,
Usually a Lewis gun they went and cheerfully manned,
But always took a hammer as it often stuck or jammed.

During those hostilities while trying not to drown,
Using Oerlikons or Bofors, to shoot the shells around,
They angled high for bombers that gave `em such concern,
Most likely from a four inch gun perched there at the stern.

Twelve pounders were the norm, set upon the bow,
That would be a three inch shell describing it just now,
They were standing by to shoot every minute of the hour,
In case a deadly U-boat showed its conning tower.

Mounted on the bridge wing, the fo'c'sle or the poop,
Ready for the action when bombers came to swoop,
They fired away at anything threatening with a will,
Showing loads of courage and not a lack of skill.

The two-man crews were legendary in annals of the sea,
Included in with seamen when naming pedigree,
They couldn’t stop torpedoes submarines would send,
But mostly those brave gunners stayed there `till the end.

Joe Earl Dec. 09

[Matthew Childs]

thanks for the extra info, the only info i have on his birth details are what my dad tells me and a "family tree" someone made that has those details in it, but it is possible that they are wrong (wouldn't surprise me).
According to my father in an old handbook of my grandfathers it says he was a DRV class, so im guessing that means driver? My parents moved a short while ago and are still looking through their old boxes for this and other books that may hold other info that could help unlock more secrets.

As per the discharge numbers, nobody can tell me when he was discharged so i can't even begin to guess which (if any) it would be.

On a side note, i am working on a design to add to my tattoo sleeve that i have dedicated to both my grandfathers and am trying to find out if either of them would have worn "dag tags" and if so what they would have looked like. Is anyone able to tell me?

My other grandfather apparently served in the RAF during the 50's and could have possibly been an engineer but that's all i know. We have absolutely NO records of him as he wouldn't talk about his time, as far as my mum and nan know he didn't serve during any conflict but i've got no idea.

This is quite frustrating!

Thanks everyone for the help thus far, you have been great!

[Keith at Tregenna]

Do not give up, all either comes at once or takes an age.

The more you can provide, the more we can help. Attempt all the bookwork again even if you need to magnify all etc.

K.

[Matthew Childs]

As soon as i find them i will go over them with a fine tooth comb and get any details i can to the site.

I just realised i hadn't mentioned which medals my gradfather has, i don't know if it will help but i thought i should mention it.
I doubt it will help in the search, but just in case.
He has 4 medals and i hope i have them correct. 1st is the African Star medal, 2nd is the Defense Medal, 3rd is the 39'-45' star and 4th is a 39'-45' round medal.
I know they are purely service medals for service during those times, but i still wear them to every service i can attend.

[Matthew Childs]

i have found a few items out and have some details i can pass on that might make sense to other people.
There is a book that has his military drivers license in it that has his regimantal number (14435?274) rank of 6 and unit RASC.
can anyone tell me if they mean anything?
i have the national service acts letter telling him he has to go to the medical, and that has a registration number of CMN2276 on the 2nd of october 1944 and i have a pay book, that says his date of attestation (the day he was enlisted?) was the 21st december 1944, then it has his service number 14891699 and rank DVR.