Whilst at high school my medal collecting ability was limited to an allowance and thus there was very little that I could afford. I could, however, afford single South African issue WW2 medals. These medals were identifiable to a specific person because the South African authorities officially named their WW2 medals, unlike the British who issued unnamed medals. But unlike WW1 medals, this was limited to a service number, initial and surname. There was no ability to pick and choose ranks or units because this information was not on the medal. Many of these medals did not come with other awards or decorations so it was impossible to know anything about the man behind the medal. For each medal, I acquired I would wait for school to end, rush off to the SANDF Military Archives in Pretoria and draw his service records. Slowly I began to notice a pattern with the service numbers and developed a theory that these numbers were not random but allocated to specific units.
On one of my visit, I raised my grand “service number theory” with the Serge-Major in charge of records. He laughed and told me to go into a room and bring him an old A4 hardcover book from the bookshelf. Eureka! The book contained lists of numbers linking the unit, regiments allocated to it. It is known as the Block Number Allocations. It was not a theory; it was a fact. The Sergt Major warned me that this was a “confidential” document, and I was not to let “civilians” see it. I am not sure what he thought I was, and I was entrusted with a military secret. I honoured his request for many years, but since 1978 I was in possession of the collectors greatest asset…information.
From that day onwards, equipped with my “secret” document, I began the unending task of trying to acquire one medal, or one group, to each block number allocation. This can be compared to a Boer War Town Guard collector trying to get each Town Guard. A never-ending task with the only advantage was that these medals were not expensive. Today 42 years later, I am still trying to complete my mission. I have used this roll to acquire some gems over the years, and I trust that you will now be equipped to do the same.
The single WW2 Star pictures above now comes to life… 312 991 J L Koekemoer … block number 312 413 – 314 412 is SAAF (South African Airforce). Previously unknown, I now know he was part the airforce on active service and with some more research, I can discover if he a pilot, navigator, aircrew or air mechanic?
The book itself was slight worn and I used an early photocopy machine to copy each page. Many of the numbers did not copy well and I had to write the missing numbers onto the pages myself. I am sure others consulted this book but the pages illustrated below are mine as they contain my terrible handwriting. I have shared this with a few collectors over the years but have always been conscious that the Sgt-Major had entrusted me with a secret.
Sometime in the 1980s the book disappeared, but luckily my copy exists, and today I will share it as is with all collectors and enthusiasts.
I was going to undertake the task of transcribing the numbers but I am on the opinion that a collector still enjoys the excitement of seeing the actual document.
There are a few interesting allocations.
Note 1. The Natal Regiments were numbered first. numbers 1-125 allocated to “A” battery Natal Field Artillery.
Note 2. The first numbers of each block are allocated to officers. eg. 10276-10325 allocated to the PAG (Prince Alfred Guard) no 10276 will be the officer commanding.
Note 3. Suddenly from no 614 189 numbers are suddenly allocated to individuals. The reason for this is unknown.
Note 4. This is the number on first enlistment. Many servicemen changed units, eg. many officers in volunteer infantry units joined the SAAF for pilot training. His service number was not changed.
Note 5. Prefixes are used before these numbers were applicable. (some prefixes do not apply to these block allocations eg SAP who did not attested in the police brigades and this kept their police service numbers.
Note6. These block numbers do not cover the Permanent Forces (P Prefix).
If you wish to have further information, translation of the unit or explanation of the unit please feel free to contact me.
Happy Hunting
WW2 UDF BLOCK NUMBER ALLOCATIONS (as supplied by the SANDF Records Office)
With profound thanks to the SANDF Documentation Center
The detail relating to the block numbers and the relevant units is great and will be a great help tp place a group early on. It is invaluable as a record of the original book was lost.
Wonderful information! Thank you for sharing this!
This is a terrific resource which you’ve made available, Munroe. A lot of collectors will be very pleased to have this info all in one place.
Interesting that, towards the end of the series, DHQ (Adjutant-General?) allocated some numbers to individuals rather than to units.
Hi,
On page 6, top right 110026 – 110925. Can someone please tell me what the wording days.
Thanks Mike
What a wonderful resource! Thank you very much for sharing it. May I please ask you to confirm that the unit for 177446-177645 is “S. A. Mil. Hosp.”? And does that expand to “South African Military Hospital”? A very brief search on-line suggests that it closed in 1921, hence my confusion.
Dear Michael
Sorry for the delay in answering. Correct it stands for SA Military Hospital, which is known as Number 1 Military General Hospital Voortrekkerhoogte. It has been open since Roberts Heights/Voortrekker Hoogte was started and remains open to this day.
This block number I will assume was issued for all those joining the SAMC from the hospital. When I next have a chance to go to Pretoria I will pull a few random files in this block and see what it says.
Kind regards
Munroe
Thanks Munroe,
I enjoyed reading your site. I was delighted to discover that my grandad enlisted in the 5th MT Coy “Q”SC.
Although he never served outside South Africa I have his Africa Service Medal and red epaulette flash.
My grand-uncle served in the SACS in Italy. I have his dog tags somewhere, and I’m looking forward to finding out more about both their service histories.
Regards,
Stephen
Dear Stephen
This is great that the website was able to give you some extra info on your family. You should contact a researcher and asked for them to draw their WW2 service files held in Pretoria
Kind regards
Munroe
Hello, this is a brilliant source.
I would like to know if anyone is able to read what the words say at numbers 338239 -538238 on page 10 (bottom right)?
Dear Jonathan
554239 – OC Natal Command for special POE Escort
542239 – SAAF Recruiting Section Roberts Heights
538239 – OC XXXX Command for past time units not sure of the rest ???
338239 – OC in charge civilian records for part time personnel Cape Corp and NMC
Hope this helps
Kind regards
Munroe
Hi, Thanks for the great list. Just one question. I see 700 000 onwards is WESPC, what does that stand for?
Dear Josuhua
Its ESPC – Essenstial Services Protection Corps. They were a self defence unit similar to the British Home Guard. They had to to X number of days service every month guarding bridges and other sensitive installations. Sometimes the medals are numbered or no number with the prefix ESPC or EL for East London PE for Port Elizabeth etc. Many of these medals were numbered on erased medals that had been returned.
Kind regards
Munroe
I’ve just acquired a medal grouping awarded to 583116 D G John and from your very helpful list it seems the holder was from O. B. Troops Pol… Unfortunately I can’t make out the rest of the writing and wonder if you have any details of the unit referred to please.
Kind regards
Mike
Dear Mike
It belongs to block number “O C Troops Potchefstroom”.
Trust that assists. I recommend that you engage a researcher as there will be index cards and files on this man in the archives.
Kind regards
Munroe
Hi Murray
Hope you are well and thank you very much for this invaluable resource! I am just starting out with my medal collection and would like to find out what the abbreviation H.Q.O.C Troops 225047 – 235046 stands for? Been trying for a few days but just cannot figure it out.
Thank you in advance
Dear Don
The full description of that block is Head Quarters Officer Commanding Troops – Premier Mine. This was a recruiting depot and a few block numbers were issued to the same depot. You will see the same description in a block allocation further up the page. As these are large block numbers you will need to pull the files of your man from the SADF Documentation Center in Pretoria to see exactly where he was posted and what he did. What you do know from this
South African WW2 medals have the advantage of being numbered and named so research is possible.
Good luck with starting your collection.
Munroe