238217 Cpl. Thomas Bolitho White "Tacky" Taskis British Army 979 Port Repair Ship Coy. Royal Engineers from:St. Just, Cornwall My father, Thomas Taskis originally attested as a boy soldier aged 16 years 1 month on 1st September 1936, as a gunner in 263 AA Bty, Royal Artillery.
He was discharged from the RA on attestation at 18 years of age on 18th July 1938, as a private in the Hampshire Regiment. He was promoted to lance corporal in 1938, but reverted to private at his own request again in 1938.
He served with the 2nd Btn Hampshire Regiment until after his return' home' on 4th June 1940, they had been in Belgium and France with the BEF between 19th September 1939 and 3rd June 1940.
He appears to have transferred to Corps of Military Police - 69th Traffic Control Coy - shortly thereafter.
He was then in some trouble having gone AWOL between 4th and 20th October 1941, losing 16 days pay and served 21 days detention. He had returned to St Just and was apprehended there.
He is compulsorily transferred back to the Hampshire Regiment on 1st April 1942.
He is then transferred to No. 7 TBRE on 14th September 1942.
He served at Home until the 6th June 1944, is in the NW Europe theatre between 7th of June 1944 and 27th of September 1944 and then Home between 28th of September 1944 and 2nd of April 1945. He is permanently discharged from military service as a Corporal on 2nd April 1945, being no longer fit for military service.
I don't believe he could have been with No. 7 TBRE whilst serving in NW Europe and indeed, the notes with his medal entitlement suggest he was with 979 Port Repair Ship, there was a 979th Inland Waterway Transport Coy, RE, serving with the 21st Army Group in NW Europe.
At the time of his discharge he was in the 45th Division, which was a holding division under War Office control - a division holding troops in preparation for transit elsewhere.
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