Citation reports in the archives question

Discussion in 'Research Material' started by Chris C, Oct 28, 2018.

  1. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    There are a couple of citations that I found referenced as individual records but which I cannot find in the compiled PDFs that the National Archives make available as free downloads. Has anyone run into this before?

    I took note of the date of publication of a number of records by searching by regiment, downloaded the time period in question (end of '45 - January 46) but did not find some of them in those files.
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi Chris,
    Yes, there have been a few discussions since the files were made public, some linked below. I don\t recall anyone in a similar position reporting that they eventually located missing files. (If you can't find a recommendation for one individual, check the same LG entry for other names with same award. If they too are missing from WO 373, then you know at least it isn't an indexing error by TNA.)


    TNA, WO 373 Recommendations for Honours & Awards

    Any Further Information?? Suggestions Welcomed!

    Missing Award Recommedations - WO 373
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2018
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  3. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Thanks dbf, now I know I haven't gone crazy :)
     
  4. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi

    Have you tried searching using Google?

    "[insert search item] site:www.londongazette.co.uk" (squared brackets and punc marks not needed)

    Some of the OCR scans are rubbish so 0s and Os sometimes get mixed as will 5s and Ss.

    If the service number comes up with nothing, try his full name or surname.

    Or try wild cards eg. "John * Smith" will return anyone with all people with that name and any middle name.

    or "John David *" will return anyone with all people whose christian names are John David.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
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  5. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Thanks Gus, I have not tried that. That's brilliant! :)

    Edit: did the London Gazette actually print the basis upon which someone received a reward? I guess I'll find out...
     
  6. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Well, I'm just getting the lists. Which is good to have as a confirmation but not quite the same thing as the descriptions. I guess I might just have to pay for the files I want.
     
  7. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Chris
    Are you looking at paying for the WO 373 files then? If so I think I managed to download most, if not all, when they were free to do so
    If it's something else then there are others who copy files for a small fee

    Andy
     
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  8. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi Andy,

    I was thinking about it, though I probably have enough that I don't actually need to pay for additional citations or to bother someone going to the archives because it's all somewhat speculative on my part. I'm trying to find citations for men who used the Archer. If you have the time to look up a name or two from this list, I would be in your debt.

    Chris

    WO 373/56/129
    Gunner Frederick Callan, MM, service #1130756, 52nd Anti-Tank Reg't

    WO 373/56/664
    Lt Francis George Morison, MC, service #255021, 54th AT Reg't

    WO 373/55/411
    Lt Peter Ernest Henry, MC, service #284516, 61st AT Reg't

    WO 373/56/657
    Lt Wilfred Boultbee Brooks, MC, service #76047, 71st AT Reg't
     
  9. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi

    Every person who was awarded a medal or honour during WW2 should have their details posted on The London Gazette. The only thing I have found that is not complete is MID awards.

    Notices | All Notices | The Gazette

    This gives you a possible alternative source to search when TNA comes up blank. As I stated above, using Google to search the London Gazette gives you a bit more flexibility.

    I can also search medals and awards on my ancestry account, which sends you to the equivalent record on TNA, but the quality of data returned thus far has been truly awful.

    Gus
     
  10. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi Gus,

    I think I misunderstood you earlier... probably because I don't understand the nature of the London Gazette. By their details, I take it you mean their name, service #, etc. What I'm trying to get are the descriptions of the actions for which they earned their awards.

    Cheers,
    Chris
     

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