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US Military in Wales WWII

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Melissa

Melissa Report 26 Sep 2013 10:16

Hi, I am trying to locate some form of list of Military personnel based in South Wales C1944, The person I am looking for may have been in the Navy but I have no precise information. It is understood that he may have been brought up on charges- and I do not know where to search to find this information.

If anyone can advise or help it would be very much appreciated.

I am searching for an Edward McCauley whom was an Afro American Soldier.

Porkie_Pie

Porkie_Pie Report 26 Sep 2013 13:53

Lots of US Military were based in Wales in WW2, particularly south Wales had a large amount leading up to the D day landings there is a list of Military bases on the link below

http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/showthread.php?6860-Army-Camps-Barracks-Wales

Roy

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 26 Sep 2013 22:19

Was he the presumed father of a child? This article might help trace his records -copy and paste both lines

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/posts/
GI-babies-researching-American-soldiers-families

Melissa

Melissa Report 27 Sep 2013 01:15

Thank you Roy and +++DetEcTive+++

I have been over to the National Archives, made a few searches to no avail, yes he was a Father of a child, but very little is known about him, his name had been kept secret until some 3 years ago, then both my Gran and Mum passed away last year, so I do not have much to go on.

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 27 Sep 2013 10:25

You are probably going to have to base your search in America. There can't be that many Afro-american servicemen with an Irish/Scottish sounding name who were based in S Wales 9 months before the birth!

Please bear in mind that if he hasn't died of natural causes, he may have perished in conflict. If the US organisations find out that he is still alive, they could advise and possibly make first contact if that is what the child desires. He and his family may not be aware of a wartime Welsh baby.

Melissa

Melissa Report 27 Sep 2013 11:32

Very clever and you are right, the majority of McCauley's were indeed Caucasian, if you know where precisely to search please let me know. I had not been on the site for quite a few years, it was indeed the wonderful Joan Allan whom located my parents for me.

I would happily employ someone to try and find any information, Thank you for your response, it is very much appreciated!

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 27 Sep 2013 11:43

Although someone with personal experience may spot this thread, its better to be proactive.

Read the BBC thread posted earlier - that has a number of links to organisations who may be able to help.

You could 'search trees' on the off-chance that the mother and father's names or even your birth name are on someones tree, and send a sensitively couched message

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 27 Sep 2013 11:54

Results for Edward MacCauley (no initials)

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946

Name: Edward McCauley
Birth Year: 1911
Race: Negro, citizen (Black)
Nativity State or Country: North Carolina
State of Residence: North Carolina

Enlistment Date: 19 Jul 1945
Enlistment State: Pennsylvania
Enlistment City: Indiantown Gap
Branch: No branch assignment
Branch Code: No branch assignment
Grade: Corporal
Grade Code: Corporal
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status)
Source: Enlisted Man, Philippine Scout or recall to AD of an enlisted man who had been transferred to the ERC
Education: 2 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Unskilled nonprocess occupations in manufacturing, n.e.c.
Marital Status: Married
Height: 00
Weight: 663

Name: Edward McCauley
Birth Year: 1915
Race: Negro, citizen (Black)
Nativity State or Country: Kentucky
State of Residence: Kentucky
County or City: Christian

Enlistment Date: 9 May 1942
Enlistment State: New York
Enlistment City: Fort Jay Governors Island
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade Code: Private
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life

Education: 1 year of high school
Civil Occupation: Fruit and vegetable graders and packers
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 65
Weight: 116
.................

The data base on Ancestry that these are taken from may not be exclusive. If he had a other names, there are other options. Your OP said that you thought he may have been in the Navy - these are Army enlistments

Try the 'official' channels before focussing on one person