Francis Walter BENT 3533059

[stevecleary]

Found an entry in the Enlistment book for Francis Walter Bent, my grandfather. It shows that he enlisted with the Manchester Regiment on 18th Nov 1939 and was transferred 6th Oct 1944 to CMP which I think is the Corps of Military Police. I know that he served in India. The enlistment book says that his documents were sent to Bournemouth 1 May 1945. I am awaiting his service record, but have a quick question. Would this 1 May 1945 date relate solely to the Manchester Regiment records or the general service record including the military police? Not sure where Bournemouth fits in as well. Any help appreciated.

Steve Cleary

[charlie]

Steve,
I would think that the documents that were sent to Bournemouth were what ever the Manchester Regt still held and were sent there to be collated with his CMP records. Only a guess but I suspect that Bournemouth was the home of the CMP Records Office.

Charlie

[stevecleary]

Thanks Charlie.
Well that was an interesting exercise in getting my grandfather's service records. :-) Turns out that there is a record of promotions, serial desertions, demotion and repromotion, injuries and finally transfer to the Corps of Military Police where he ended as a W/Sgt and an exemplary record.
I'm trying to read through the records and make sense of them - if there is any way of getting to understand all the abbreviations and jargon used on the records this would really help, particularly as I am trying to find out a bit more about what he actually did......

Steve Cleary

[charlie]

Hello Steve,
If you post what you can‘t understand, I‘m sure one of us will be able to help. If you can‘t read the entries post a scan.
Charlie