Military Chat

Welcome to GR Fiona.

You could apply for your father's records.

Army records for anyone whose service ended after 1920 are with the MOD and are not online, they costs £30 and you may have to wait several months to receive them though.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

Hi I am hoping somebody can help me .My father was in Bari Italy with the Royal Engineers in Dec 1942 until 28th Aug 1943 in the 1017th Port Operating Co .I am going to Bari in the aummer and would live as much info as possible if somebody could help me .Thanks

Hi I am hoping somebody can help me .My father was in Bari Italy with the Royal Engineers in Dec 1942 until 28th Aug 1943 in the 1017th Port Operating Co .I am going to Bari in the aummer and would live as much info as possible if somebody could help me .Thanks

I remember seeing a US book on this:
Disaster at Bari [Ace Paperbacks]
Glenn B Infield (Author)

It's dated 1973 - I thought it was 5-10 y earlier - I've not read the book.

The Royal Engineers were in Bari at this time. My FIL was a warrant officer Royal Engineers. He was a diver clearing the harbour of debris before and after the attack, other soldiers were getting rid of mines.

My husband was aware of the mustard gas as his father had referred to it but his father had no problems from it. He may have been away from the incident.

I have photographs of him and from age 21 to 25 he aged so much.

The RAF had mustard gas stores in East Anglia ready for use by Bomber Command if needs be. My dad was an armourer on Lancasters and ended up in the RAF hospital at Ely suffering from mustard gas injuries.

I get more by the day .

His role in WW2 as a "Sgt./instr" Sergeant instructor in the APTC (Army Physical Training Corps) could have been either attached to Convalescent Depots, British Red Cross Hospitals and Physical Development Centres to help with injured soldiers recovery or training soldiers on physical training programmes and unarmed combat skills.

Roy

See http://www.theperiscope.ca/CondensedHistoryoftheBritishAPTC.htm for the history of his regiment and what part they played within the armed forces

Margee

What a great find, interesting to know that their was a possible risk of mustard gas being used.You learn something new everyday.

I hope Alan comes back to see this.


George

An interesting article about it here:

http://mcm.dhhq.health.mil/cb_exposures/ww2/ww2mustard.aspx

It was indeed mustard gas! On an American ship! A cover-up!!!

Hi George thanks just done what you advised. During the bomb raid on Bari 2nd December 1943 a cargo ship carrying mustard Gas exploded adding to the loss of life but this was covered up. He died on the 25th January 1944 and im unsure if he died from injuries the gas or was killed nearer the 25th.if that makes sense.

I don't believe that mustard gas was used by anyone in WW2, although the Russians might.

Have you obtained his death certificate which might tell you more.

Registration event: Death


View the original image
Name:MOORE, David W J

Unit:A.P.T.C

Rank:Sgt./instr.

Number:852088

Year:1944

Volume :11

Page:139

Record source:GRO War Death Army Other Ranks (1939 to 1948)

George

Hi my granddad was killed in bari Italy during ww2 David William John Moore of the A.P.T.C don't suppose any one has come across him or WHAT HIS ROLE WOULD OF BEEN AT THIS TIME .I BELEIVE HE WAS INJURED DURING A BOMBING RAID (MINI PEARL HARBOUR) AND DIED FROM HIS INJURIES.. WONDERING IF MUSTARD GAS KILLED HIM..