Many thanks for being allowed to join.

[David Mulvey]

Can I start by thanking the administration staff of this forum for allowing me to join. My name is David Mulvey and I am one of 5 sons of Bernard Edward Mulvey (Military Serial Number 35336223) who enlisted with the Manchester Regiment around 1938~39 before the out break of the Second World War. It is his army record and that of my great grand father David White (Joined the M/c's around 1901, South Africa Boar War).

I've been undertaking research into my family history for many years but as I have recently retired I feel I can devote much more time to this fascinating subject. My father Bernard never spoke about his time in the 2nd WW and always claimed he never saw any action. He rose to become a sergeant and given the chronic need for men in the early years of the war it seems that it is very possible he did see action but like many men chose not to speak of it afterwards.

Any guidance, information and background into the hisitory of the M/c's around this time would be most welcome

Kind regards
David Mulvey

[rafboy]

Welcome David, you have to many digits in his Service Number in this post. From your 2011 posts as a guest it looks like it should be 3533623.
It doesn't look as though he was with the 1st Battalion in Singapore. I cannot see his name in the FEPOW Family Roll.
Someone will be along to help.
Cliff
 

[mack]

hiya david

your dad may have been telling the truth about not seeing action,when anthony was concieved in 1941 he was in england and when paul was concieved in 1945 he was also in england,in 1939 he was still a civilian living with his mum and dad,william+mary at 65 bowler st,levenshulme[my home town]he married your mum gabrielle in 1940 which means he was still in england so he wasnt at dunkirk

after dunkirk the manchester regiment was in dire need of trained men and instructors to train them,your dad may have been a instructor

mack

[Wendi]

Hi David


You probably need to apply for his/their service records:

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

Good luck

Wendi

[Bob.NB]

David,
The Manchester number "3533623" would suggest an enrolment date of late 1939 or 1940 (you may wish to double check the number).
Bob B

[David Mulvey]

Many thanks to all again for the info you have provided to me, and having check my records you are correct regarding his enlistment No 3533623, my mistake. Mack can I ask if you have any more details regarding his time in the Manchester Regiment. I am intrigued by the accurate info you have on his family that was most impressive. I have sent to Glasgow for his military record (including a check for £30) some 3 months ago but have so far heard nothing back. According to the pre-recorded telephone message they are currently closed due to COVID.

[mack]

hiya david
i cant help with any service details theres nothing showing up,his service record will help with that,the glasgow records office are suffering delays because of the covid crisis
did you know your granddad william served in WW1,he was in the RASC

mack

[David Mulvey]

Good Morning Mack,
Many thanks again for the info. I was aware that my grandfather William Edward Mulvey had severed in the Royal Army Medical Corps in the first WW. Some years ago before the advent of the internet I visited Kew Records office in London and with the help of a librarian discovered that his first attempt to join the army in Aldershot ended in failure after little more than a week. He was rejected with a note in his records saying "Unlikely to become an effective soldier". Apparently this was code for one of two meanings, either a Conscientious Objector or he had problems with military discipline. I only briefly knew my Grandfather and can say it almost certainly the second reason is the most likely. My mother always claimed "he could start a fight in an empty house". As I understand it the RAMC had many of the most courageous men and undertook their duties on the front line along with the regular "Tommies". As of now I need to start to search for his Army service record from the 1st WW. I you can give me any guidance I would be grateful.

Kind regards
David M

[mack]

hiya david
youve been misinformed,not likely to be a efficient soldier covered a few things,which included

hammer toes
flat feet
illiterate
bad hearing
poor eyesight
rotten teeth,if he refused to have them extracted and fitted with dentures,he would be discharged
various types of deformaties

conciensious objection and discipline were not any of them

your granddad enlisted in the RASC on 15-5-15
service number 094768
discharged as unlikely to be a efficient soldier
married st marys RC church levenshulme 28-1-1911
occupation baker+confectioner

three days after he was discharged,he re-enlisted on 25-5-15 in the RAMC
service number 357287
served at the 2nd western general hospital,manchester
discharged 16-7-1917 unfit for further service[sick]
awarded silver war badge No209636

died 5th march 1968
resided 71 simon court,kingsgate rd,woodhouse park

mack