Cpl. Norman "Bill" Mills
British Army 84th Field Institute Company Royal Army Service Corps
from:Huddersfield, Yorkshire
My Dad, Norman Mills, (born April 1914 in Huddersfield) was enlisted in the RASC at the Huddersfield Recruiting Office on 27th of October 1939.
I have a number of other documents relating to his service, His Soldier’s Record Book with Army Number T/100693. There are various entries which are difficult to read the writing. Under Particulars of Training, passed Grade 3 Driving (undated) and North Africa, awarded Africa Star No 56/5/43 18 Dec 43, Pt 2 order No 16 dated 16th Jan 1944.
Under Record of Employment Driver, Mustered, Mechanic, Group D Class 2, Part 2 Order 9/80 dtd 5 9 43. Both dated 24 6 42. Under Record of Specialist Employment (Appointments & Promotions)19.10.40, To be Lance Corporal with Pay No A.F.W.3112. 15.3.42 Promoted V/A/CPL Authy CR/ASC Ind Div No 2707/51/ST. 5 4 42, Promoted Paid A/Cpl WeF 14.3.42 having held U/Acting rank for a period of 21 days. 12 6 42, Granted War Substantive Rank of Corporal having held paid acting rank for a period of 90 days. 25.4.44, Appointed A/Sgt. 16.6.44, Promotes A/Sgt with pay PR 151/2. 16.6.44 Reverted to P/Cpl.
An Identification Card for Mechanical Transport Drivers, Army Form A. 2038 giving his name and (description) 84th Field Institute Company RASC and rubber stamped 12th June 1940. A Highway Code for Service Drivers in Ceylon and Guidance Notes for Troops Arriving in Ceylon. A Record of Service card Army Form W5258 No T/100693, Rank CPL Regt/Corps RASC, From 27.10.39, To 4.3.46 and rubber stamped RASC Records Ore Place Hastings 20 Nov 1945.
Certificate of Transfer to the Army Reserve Army Form X 202/B Number 32694 with effect from 5-3-46 and rubber stamped RASC Records Ore Place Hastings 20 Nov 1945.
I have a Berthing Card Troop Deck, Deck G, Section G-10, Table 252, undated and with no indication of the ship or its destination. And a pink Cigarettes and Tobacco card entitling him to purchase his weekly entitlement at privilege price from the NAFFI Canteen.
I have three medals he was awarded, The Africa Star, The Burma Star and the 1939-1945 Defence Medal. Apart from a vague recollection as a child of Dad mentioning chasing Rommel in the desert, India (he had pictures of the Taj Mahal), Ceylon (he mentioned Trincomalee), and Burma I have no further information of my Dad’s Service. My Dad died February 1989 whilst residing in Barnoldswick, Yorkshire, his occupation before retirement was Dairy Manager.
If anyone has any information about my Dad’s army service I would be grateful to hear from you.
