Genealogy Chat

My father in law, deceased now, bless him, was a desert rat and wore their flash on his army uniform. My husband was on and on about where this flash went and I wondered if I could get him a replacement. Any ideas?????

Irene I think you mean desert RATS. But sorry I can't help with flash. Don't mean to be picky but thought some might not know who you mean. :-) :-)

Thanks for pointing that out - must have been thinking about my heavy rates bill. Yes I did mean Rats. Senior moment I'm afraid. Thanks Irene

Irene If you mean 7th Armoured Division whose bagde was a Red Rat then you can pick them up on e bay for about £5 Just search for 7th Armoured Division. Keith

There's one going for 99p + £1 postage on Ebay at the moment, ending tomorrow. Type Desert Rats in the search box. My dad was too young to be in the North Afrika Campaign but the 7th Armoured were also involved from D Day right through to Berlin. (By then he was of age and was a was a tank driver in the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, part of the Royal Armoured Corps which in turn was part of the 7th Armoured). Jack

Thank you for your kind replies which I missed as I have been away for a few days. Blow - that I missed a badge on Ebay but at least it has given me an idea to look on there in future. Many thanks Irene

Always worth looking at this site, in my opinion www.ww2talk*.*com for anything to do with WW2. Joy

Thanks for that Joy I have had a look at the site - it looks interesting. Many thanks Irene

Hi, Sorry to barge in on this thread but I also have a question regarding WW2 and Desert Rats. I'm told my grandfather was a Desert Rat but unfortunately we have very little to go on. I have got some photo's slightly pre-WW2 which are titled: 9 Platoon 'C' Company 1st Btn The Kings Royal Rifle Corps One is from Mingaladon, July 1937, the other Maymo, Burma, May 1938 Does anyone know if these tiny bits of information would be any help in trying to get hold of his service records, as that really is all I have to go on. My dear departed Gran always insisted he went on to serve under FM Montgomery! Michelle

Yes, the 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (type this into your search engine) were in the battles in the Western Desert, giving motorised support and so he did indeed serve under Monty. Jack

You're welcome, Irene. It's free, and friendly. :-) Joy

Hi, Found some more info, I had looked before but there are sooooooooo many results!! Anyway, some interesting reading, my Dad will be pleased! Perhaps one day we'll find his service number as well. Might help if I sent for the forms at least then I'd really know what info was required. Thanks Michelle

We did get my father in law's army service records at the cost of £25 and quite a long wait. They did not give details of what campaigns he was in. Just what countries he was in and how long he was there. It was a matter of looking up what campaigns his regiment fought in. It did state what medals he received. Good Luck in your research. Irene

Michelle, Another thought ... if you're looking for 'incidental' information, rather than his actual service records, the PRO holds 'War Diaries' or 'Regimental Diaries' for the various Regiments. If you pick a year that you know he was serving, you can perhaps put together a picture of where he was and what he was doing. Did this with my late Father's regiment - 53rd Field Regt RA, which was attached to the Desert Rats. It was amazing, all the place names I recalled him mentioning were there - and also maps for 'exercises' .... most of which look to have turned into actual battles. Need to get back there and write it all up properly. Good luck with your research. Regs Jane

Michelle My father was in the 2rd Btn Kings Royal Rifle, a very good book on the time is The Annals of The Kings Royal Rifle Corps Volume VI which I purchased when in Winchester a few years ago, the Museum still sell copies try www(.)kelston(.)org/cgi-bin/start(.)cgi/rgjshop/frameset(.)html Another good site for Order Of Battle is Ian Patersons at www(.)btinternet(.)com/~ian(.)a(.)paterson/main(.)htm Remove ( ) Keith

Thanks for all the replies - not been on here for a day or so, so please don't think I'm being rude and not acknowledging you! Right, unfortunately the ancestors will have to wait a little while longer, off to do the ironing now. Michelle