Anyone require War Diaries or other files from the National Archives?

Discussion in 'For Sale & For Trade' started by Drew5233, Mar 8, 2011.

  1. Alan Hume

    Alan Hume Member

    For sure :) I think it's fantastic that he's happy to do this, really helps out a lot
    you're right though I really don't know exactly what I'm looking for
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I wish they would Bill :lol:
     
  3. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    It's not such a crazy idea. There a probably more than a few people like you who go there semi-regularly to access files that aren't available online. Why not get you share your work? The Australian National Archives puts any file someone has paid to be scanned up on their website so others can access it. Imagine how many more files they would be able to digitise if they got guys like you on board.
     
  4. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    I mean, I wouldn't mind still paying your rate for the files and then having digital copies available from the NA site for others at a few quid a pop. After all, chances are there would be other files that I'd be interested in (POW stuff for example) that others would've paid for to get scanned so everyone would get something out of it.
     
  5. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    It might help out if you could give some more info on what it is you're researching. Plenty of very knowledgeable members on here could probably give you a steer on what documents would be of use to you. I've been researching my great granddad who was captured June 1940 so battalion war diaries were first port of call. "Missing men" file was next along with POW liberation questionnaires. The Argyll's museum got me after action reports from Company officers and local newspapers for me some photos.
     
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  6. Alan Hume

    Alan Hume Member

    Well, heh, you'll probably disown me for saying this (I know my brother disapproves because our dad was in WW2) but my primary interest in the Royals (other than that they're my local Regiment, or were at least until the government merged them into the new Royal Regiment of Scotland) but, yeah, my interest in the Royals and military history is genuine but, my main interest in after action reports (as my brother says) is probably not very noble as I'm a wargamer and am currently researching the Royals in terms of looking for possible game scenarios to write

    I'm hoping my buddy Pete who produces an online magazine called VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES will publish them
    but, and I have said this before to everyone, if we make any money from selling them (which people do) then I won't accept it but will ask that it goes to SAFFA or the Royals association instead so no harm done really

    My plan is to get 10 or so scenarios together as a downloadable pack and get my mate Pete to sell or give them away (sell is good I guess:) trouble is people (gamers) just tend to get one copy then photocopy them and give them free to their friends so not much you can do about that really

    Anyhow, there you go, I do have a genuine interest here but, as I say, my main motivation is to write wargaming scenarios and, while I have all the Royals Regimental History books (or at least most of them) and they weren't cheap, they don't really provide the indepth info I need, hence my joy at finding this webpage
     
  7. Alan Hume

    Alan Hume Member

    I've got about 13 scenarios on the go at the moment, only 2 have been playtested and finished though (Pete has them to publish in his next issue) and the rest are in various states of undress (about 4 ready to playtest the rest not so much)

    so, yeah, I'm a wargamer, my brother (a Roman Catholic) disapproves but heck, I've been a gamer all my life I'm not going to change now but, yeah, I can see where he is coming from I guess
     
  8. Alan Hume

    Alan Hume Member

    I tip my hat to you here, much respect is due to your grandfather (and to you for taking the time to find out his story)
    Sounds like folks at the Argyll's museum were very good, I should probably go back into the Royals museum up the castle but as my buddy works there I'm kind of lazy and just asking him for stuff :)
     
  9. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    Is there much in the bibliography in the books you have? I'd read Saul David's book "Churchill's Sacrifice of the Highland Division" (a total bargain at 99p on kindle at the minute) as it had a bit about the fighting at Franleu where my great granddad was captured - the bibliography referenced the war diary and the after action reports he used to write his account so I knew exactly what to ask for. Would be surprised if there wasn't something like that in your books. Another place you might try is bbc's "the people's war" website. It isn't updated anymore but there's quite a few first hand accounts from veterans on it - might be something there.

    Btw - I don't know if you've come across it or not but I think there is a forum page for gamers on here somewhere.
     
  10. Alan Hume

    Alan Hume Member

    Hmmm, maybe, but I guess if there is I must have missed it, will have to go back and have another looksee I think :)
    Oh yeah, I came across the BBC People's War website and found it to be very good indeed, very helpful

    Hmmm, might have to have a look for that gamers page here too :)
     
  11. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Andy,

    I can't figure out how to send a PM. Could you please copy the following for me:
    BT 381/3126 Articles for Empire Knight (ON 169017) 1944, the ship was lost so it will only be the RGSS copy. I am interested in the crew list when they signed on etc., to see how many of the poor devils drowned when she was lost and to see if the crew was nearly all Danish as info that Billy McGee has sent suggests; and FO 371/42983 Empire Knight loss report.
    Thanks,
    Roy
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Leave it with me Roy - Probably be around the end of the month when I'm back at Kew if that's OK?
     
  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I have sent you a PM with screen shots on what to do.
    It's called Starting a Conversation now on this software rather than Private Message.
     
  14. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    That's fine thanks
     
  15. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Thank you Owen
     
  16. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Have branched out from War Diaries and ordered a few reports and essays from Andy:

    - training notes from 4th Indian Division in '43;
    - medical services for Operation Honker '44;
    - NZ Corps at Cassino '44.

    Naturally, they're significantly lighter than the war diaries - about 120 pages in total - but what they lose in quantity they make up for in quality: they're dense with information and well worth the slight outlay.

    If anybody is interested in such things, Andy has a set of spreadsheets detailing what is on offer - if there happens to be something covering your field, you may hit a research jackpot for a small stake.
     
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  17. Penzance Bill

    Penzance Bill Member

    Can't recommend Andy's service highly enough. I now have the war diaries for 6th Bn Green Howards on disc and at a very affordable cost.

    Thanks again Andy - I will have no hesitation about using your service again.

    Bill
     
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  18. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    Recieved another disc of War Diaries from Andy on Saturday. Top notch photos as usual - pin sharp detail. Where is the spreadsheet with the list of files available though? There is a link at the start of this thread but it no longer works.
     
  19. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    Ok. Tried some of the other links and they appear to still be active. My bad.
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    If there's any area you are interested in let me know and I'll email you the lists.
     
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