My Grandfather

[nitram]

Does anyone have infomation on my grandfather, Richard Carling, who, I'm fairly sure, served with the Manchesters from around 1930 to 1945. I think he may have been an NCO, serving in India or Burma in the later stages of the Second World War. He could also have been in Cyprus and the West Indies in the 1930s. Any info would be most welcome. Thanks.

[tonyrod]

hi nitram, and welcome to the forum,  i cannot help you on your grandfather but i am sure someone will be along to help you out,  for the time being have you checked out the main site,
http://www.themanchesters.org/  good luck with your search tonyrod

[nitram]

Thanks, Tonyrod. One other thing - I seem to remember talk of him being posted to a British run PoW Camp somewhere in the east. Thanks.

[Robert Bonner]

Nitram.
519879 R.Carling was a Sergeant with the 1st Battalion in March 1937 but by 1942 he was a Company Sergeant Major serving with the 2nd Battalion in India.

Are you named Carling or descended on the female side of the family

[nitram]

Richard was my paternal grandfather. Thanks so much for the information - it is as I thought I remembered. Do you have anything else on him?  Cheers.

[tonyrod]

nitram, if you put in 2nd battalion on  search you will see all the posting on the 2nd.   good luck with your research. tonyrod

[rafboy]

Hi nitram
You can get information on getting hold of your Grandfathers Service Record from http://www.veterans-uk.info/  It is free for the next of Kin but others have to pay around £30.
I see Robert has posted some information for you whilst I was waiting for information from Arthur Lane which I will post when received.
Cliff

[rafboy]

nitram, from the Service Number posted by Robert it looks like your Grandfather started his Army career in the Dragoons.  Service numbers 309001 to 721000 were allocated to "Cavalry Of The Line" with the block 386001 to 528000 going to The "Dragoons".
Cliff

[rafboy]

nitram, the following in " " is from Arthur Lane who served with your Grandfather and my father in Palestine.  Before Palestine he would most likely have been in the West Indies with my Father, Cyprus came between periods in Palestine.  Arthur Lanes book One God Too Many Devils covers the Palestine period before the 1st Bn went on to Singapore and POW times.

"Richard Carling was one of the old sweats when I joined the army in 36, I remember him in Palestine but I believe he returned to the UK when we left Palestine, I have a feeling that he was time ex and probably signed on again when he returned to UK where his association with the second battalion came in. I have no recollection of him in Singapore. In Palestine he was usually with Sgt Meredith and Le-Page.  Arthur"

The 1st Bn were spread around the West Indies but returned together from Jamaca on the Dorsetshire.  The Dorsetshire docked at Southampton for 6 hours before going on to Palestine and a special train was run from Manchester for families to go and meet their men.
Cliff
 

[tonyrod]

nice one cliff has this happend before to you ? ,someone searching a  old pal of yours. tony

[timberman]

Hi nitram

Welcome to the forum.

This is a link to the film made by Pathe news about the 6 hour leave that Cliff mentioned.

 After 2 years in Bermuda, Manchester Regiment has 6 hours in Southampton before departing for Egypt.

https://www.britishpathe.com/thumbnails.php?id=11950&searchword=manchester%20regiment&searchword=manchester%20regiment

Also one of the stills from the film.

Timberman

[rafboy]

Tony, I think you got a bit mixed up, it was my father and Arthur Lane that were serving with nitrams grandfather I am not quite old enough to have been there.   

Timberman, great bit of film I had not seen this before.  I have been trying to make out the ships name, it certainly isn't Empire Halladale as I thought.  Looks like it ends in SHIRE but cannot make out the other 6 letters.  Can anyone enlighten me please. 
Cliff

[rafboy]

nitram, some dates for you taken from my fathers Service Record.
West Indies 23-01-34 to 26-09-35
Egypt           27-09-35 to 13-04-37
Cyprus         14-04-37 to 27-11-37
Egypt           28-11-37 to 13-01-38
Palestine     14-01-38 to 25-09-38
Cliff

[Robert Bonner]

Cliff.

It was The Dorsetshire.

Nitram.

In his retirement Richard Carling was a keen member of the London branch of the Manchester Regiment Old Comrades Association.  He was present at the funeral of James Leach VC of the Manchesters in London in August 1958.

[rafboy]

Thanks Robert I will amend my note below and delete the photo reference.  Two photos of the Dorsetshire below.
Cliff