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5249993 Sgt Frank Betteridge D.O.B 13/03/1913

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2008 3:14 pm
by David5859
Can anyone help me. I am tryig to trace my fathers history whilst with the Royal Worcestershire regiment. My Mother is still alive and can tell me bits. All his medals and military papers and his history that he kept safe have vanished.
He Joined in approx 1934 as a volunteer. He after training went to the 2nd Battalion then onto India and China, returning in 1942/43. He was then sent to Germany. I know through a national newspaper cutting, that he and his platoon were the first soldiers to set foot on Arnhem bridge, after the para's were killed. He left the regiment around 1949/50 as far as I know. My Mum is 89.
He has been dead a number of years and I remember going through all his papers, pictures, medals etc. All I can now find in my Mums house is his brass bed plate and two cap badges. As far as I am aware I was de mobbed as Acting Sgt Major 5249993 Frank Betteridge. I do have a couple of pictures that I took a few years ago
So you can imagine I was distraught to find everything gone.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PostPosted: Sat May 17, 2008 10:58 pm
by scully
David,

It was the 1st battlion in N.W. Europe in 1944-45 but they never entered Arnhem. They got as far as Elst. It is possible your father was posted to another Regiment.

Regards,

Louis

1931 to 1942

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:27 pm
by David5859
I have obtained from my Mother some love letters sent by my Father. It appears that after basic training with the Worcestershire Regiment he was posted to India and then onto China.
He was returned to the UK in 1942, from then the address on the letters are of the Royal Glosters, until the end of the war. He then was posted back to The Worcestershire Regiment based in Worcester.
Any information anyone can give me of the Regiment between 1931/42 would be gratefully received. I have obtained a picture of the 1st Battalion taken in 1937, but I am sure he was in the 2nd Battalion?
David