KENNETH S KNOWLES - HELP NEEDED

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 15/03/2018 12:33:40

Hello,
My partner and I are searching for info on his Grandfather. Can anyone help me decipher the attached please? We have some great photos of him and are sure he was a Commando but need more info before I can upload them all here. Thanks Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,
Welcome to the CVA Website & Forum.
At the moment I am still trying to find any information about your grandfather but the photos may hold a clue...
Is it possible to post the photos individually, rather than a group, so that I can study them closer and, maybe, pick a lead up from each photo...

Nick

Is the troop photo top left a Royal Marine troop? Also bottom right photo looks like a good conduct stripe on the left lower part of the battledress sleeve. Which is a marine/ naval tradition issued in 3 year blocks.

Just a few thoughts that came to mind when viewing your post.

Good luck with the search. Keep posting, this is a fantastic site and I have found my mums dad on here.

Regards.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 17/03/2018 14:43:50

Can anyone help me decipher the attached please?

This is your grandfather's entry in the Royal Artillery attestation records.

877004 KNOWLES Kenneth Gunner
Enlisting in the Territorial Army in 1938, he joined the 65th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. This unit was based in Manchester.

Paragraph 204 (XV) Territorial Army Regulations refers to his discharge on the 28th August 1939. The reason for his discharge suggests that he had enlisted into another branch of the Armed Services.

Good luck with your research.

Guy

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 17/03/2018 20:18:53

Thanks for that Guy.
I noticed the light coloured lanyard worn on his right shoulder (shirt sleeve order at desk) and thought that it was likely that he was Royal Artillery.

I know 42 RM Cdo wore a white lanyard but it is single cord and worn on the left shoulder...

craig summerhill wrote:Also bottom right photo looks like a good conduct stripe on the left lower part of the battledress sleeve. Which is a marine/ naval tradition...

Craig, the photo of my father, who was KRRC & No.5 Cdo, also shows him with a Good-Conduct stripe!

The Good Conduct Stripe was a British Army award for good conduct during service in the Regular Army by an enlisted man. The insignia was a points-up chevron of NCO's lace worn on the lower sleeve of the uniform jacket. It was given to Privates and Lance Corporals for 2, 6, 12, or 18 years' service without being subject to formal discipline.

Nick

Suzanne,
With the information that Guy has given you, your family can apply to the MoD for a scan of his original, handwritten Service Records...

You would need the consent of his Next of Kin, a copy of his Death Certificate and a one off fee of £30.
There are two forms that would need to be completed then sent to the MoD.

I can forward the links to these forms if you want me to?

Nick

Hello All,

Thank you so much for your replies, we've only just seen them.

I have re-scanned the photos separately and will attach them all here. We knew from researching that he had started off in the Royal Artillery but our photos lead us to believe he joined the Royal Marines. Was on HMS Anson. We then know he was in Kowloon.

There is a photo of Kenneth in what looks like a football kit and we found there was film footage of a match between a team of Commandos and a team of Chinese players, at the Imperial War Museum. We also know from one of his photos that Jack Harcourt (secretary of state) visited his HQ and there
was footage of that too so we made an appointment to see it. Sadly it wasn't Kenneth's team but the footage of the visit by Jack Harcourt matched our photos.
Apparently they still have about 2 years worth of film footage to convert!

We will be applying for his records and plan to get the death certificate this week in person, sadly both my partners parents and Grandparents are no longer alive but will apply to the MoD.

Nick: I have the pages printed out but Thank You and thanks for the Lanyard info.

Guy: Thank you for deciphering the entry for us!

Craig: Thanks for noticing the 'conduct' stripe

If you can tell anything else by these photos, we'll be extremely grateful!

Thanks Again

Suzanne & Simon

More photos

Photos

Capitulation Notice

Visit from Secretary of State

Japs at Tai Po

Kowloon Xmas 1946

Great photos. The squad photo in summer rig, shorts and shirt sleeve order looks like a commando beret, can?t see the red tombstone backing behind the cap badge, you might find out more when you receive the documents. I wouldn?t expect miracles RM records are not accurate and were only recorded for legal purposes not history.

Keep us posted, your research may help others.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 19/03/2018 20:54:24

Commandos Memorial Photo