WW2 Service Records

[Ski]

Ok i'll start this this one off!

Am I right in saying that British Forces Service Records for soldiers who served during WW2 are all held by the MOD and you have to be a relative of the man in order to request his Service Docs.
If this is so is there any other way getting a detailed idea of his service/movements?

Cheers,
Ski

[strongbow]

Hi Ski,
The Public Record Office (now known as the National Archives) in Kew, London, may have some information for you. Obvioulsy the more information you already know about your ancestor the better, as you won't have to spend half a day searching through the records. The archives contain unit movements, and personel service records. This might be of some use for you. If you can't get there, there are people who will conduct research on your behalf for a small fee, but there is nothing like uncovering the information yourself. GOOD LUCK!

[Paul Reed]

Service records are all with the Ministry of Defence - Operational Records are with the PRO/NA. The WW2 war diaries are often more detailed than those for WW1 and often contained casualty lists, and usually monthly returns of officers (listed by name etc). The diaries are organised by theatre of war.

[Ski]

Thanks to both of you,

I must admit although i've viewed First World War WD's at the PRO before i haven't done the same with the Second World War WD's diaries and so didn't realise that they were more detailed. Perhaps this will be my best bet.

Just for interest the man i'm researching is:
5573908 Pte Albert Charles Wintle, Wiltshire Regiment (Possibly 4th or 5th Bn).
I know he came from Swindon and had at least two other brother's, both in the Wiltshire Regt, and both wounded in July/August 44.

Thanks again,
Ski

[Paul Reed]

Ski - drop me an email mate, as I am currently doing some work on Normandy and may have some digital images of these diaries.

[salientpoints]

I have just obtained my WW2 ancestors service details as below:

Sgt. Frank Gearing 1254762 RAF (Warrant Officer RAF Police)

Private Roland Bird 10582509 RAOC whom I have the 'standard' thankyou card from Monty and the 21st Army Group.

I would like to obtain both service records and operational records. Which is the best to go for first in the instance I would take a day off and go wherever I need i.e. Kew and write to the MOD if that's all you can do?

Thanks

Ryan

[salientpoints]

Can I just verify this is the right address to send off for these records? The very same question has just been asked & answered on the GWF.

Army Personnel Centre
Historic Disclosures
Mailpoint 400
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
Glasgow
G2 8EX

If it's £25 per set is their a cheaper option ie PRO copies?

Ryan

[Paul Reed]

Ryan - there are no WW2 service records at Kew. They are all at the address you list above, which is correct.

For the units of your relatives above the only way you could research them at Kew would be to get the details from MOD as to their exact unit, and then consult the relevant war diaries.

[Max]

Hello Ryan

I am in the process of ordering my Grandfathers WW2 service records, or more correctly, my Father is. Apparantly you have to be the legal next of kin and the search can take 3 to 6 months. You have to complete a declaration of kinship.

The address that you have is correct but I think it would be better to find the telephone number and call them. They are vey nice and helpful.

I was at the PRO on Wednesday to search WW2 diaries and as Paul says they are quite detailed, if a little dry. I was searching for artillery diaries and found them very complex and involved.

Andy

[salientpoints]

Thanks Andy/ Paul

I will call them first and detail what I require then send one letter off on behalf of my dad then one on behalf of my mum then!

I'll get there in the end! I was hoping to merge the research with my WW1 but it looks like the WW1 will be quicker...

Ryan