Looking for help to decipher my grandfather's WWII records.

Ive uploaded a few of the photos here, but more can be found at: http://imgur.com/a/yFce7

Hi there! My great grandfather, Trooper Willis "Wink" Archibald was part of a tank corps in WWII out of Saskatchewan, Canada (With 2nd Canadian Division) He served in France, Britain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Italy (Sicily). Since I'm big on WWII history and genealogy, I mailed the Canadian govt. and received a full package of his military records. I was able to understand only bits and pieces though, as there is lots of military jargon used that I am mostly unfamiliar with and the cursive writing is hard to read. Where, or who, could I go to, to help decipher what exactly my grandfather did during the war-- or can any of you help me? Thanks in advance for any input or help!

-Jules

 

Not trying to run you off or anything but....

You might get better luck posting this up over at the "sister" site: www.ww2talk.com, it is more British/Commonwealth focused forum; you'll get much better results there.

Good luck and please keep us posted on what you find out

 

Oh! Okay! Thanks, I'm new here so I'm not super familiar with where to go with these things. I'll make a post over there. Thanks very much!

 

Hi Jules

I am more familiar with deciphering British service records, but I will try and translate some of it. As suggested, I would register with ww2talk.com. We have members who are Canadian who may be more helpful.

He was a Trooper in 8 Recce Btn - which is a reconnaissance unit.
Seems he was sick/injured a few times as his record shows No's 8 and 11 Fld Amb =Field Ambulance
TOS = Taken on strength (of the unit)
SOS = Struck off strength (of the unit)
CACHU = I think this is Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit. See here in post 2 which explains this unit
http://www.canadaatwar.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=4726

He sailed to North Africa in September 1943
CMF = Central Mediterranean Force

More here on Canadian abbreviations
http://cmhs.ca/index.php/menu-l-articles/2-uncategorised/19-cmhs-article-abbreviations

Hope that helps a little.

Have you any photos of him you can post which would be helpful.

Lesley

 

Thanks so much! This is incredibly helpful. and you were right about the CMF departure in '43, only he went to Italy, not to Africa!

I certainly do have some photos of him, here's a link to the two service photos I have. http://imgur.com/a/CdB5I