Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and no doubt you have been asked this question countless times, but I am trying to locate my grandfathers service records. I know he was in the Green Howards, I don't have his service number nor do I have any dates of service. I do seem to recollect him being in Italy but again, no dates. However, perhaps someone recalls him and can help me that way as searching other genealogy websites have drawn a complete blank and the Green Howards museum says on their website that they cannot search for individuals. His name was Ephraim Malson, from Castleford, West Yorkshire and I think he was the cook. His nickname was 'Curly' as he was bald on a photo I saw of him, stood on a wall in his khaki's. His nephew served with him for a while too, Anthony (Tony) Moran, although I'm not sure what regiment Tony was in. If anyone has any details from this sketchy information, I would be very grateful. thanks to all of you who populate these sites - your knowledge is gold-dust. best wishes - Carol
Hello and welcome to the forum. Do you have access to anything relating to his service? Letters, photos, pay book, medals? Campaign medals will give you an idea of theatres served in. Marriage certs, or birth certs for children born, during wartime might also have Army number. Apart from that, if you have DOB, and death certificate etc you could still apply to MOD for copy Service Records, which will give you dates of joining up, promotion, courses, battalion etc. See - Service records of deceased Service personnel https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records Good luck with the research
Hi and welcome on board. No wonder he was bald, born 3rd Qtr 1905! Married Nellie Ashman 6 Feb 1927, father Reuben. A miner, born in Drybrook, Gloucestershire.. which might be related to MALSON, C. Rank: Private. Service No: 23644. Date of Death: 11/09/1916. Regiment/Service: Gloucestershire Regiment. 10th Bn. Grave Reference: B. 25. 44. Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN. Name: Conrad Malson. Birth Place: Drybrook, Glos. Death Date: 11 Sep 1916. Death Location: France & Flanders. Enlistment Location: Putney, London. Rank: Private. Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment. Battalion: 10th (Service) Battalion. Number: 23644. Type of Casualty: Died of wounds. Theatre of War: Western European Theatre Conrad Malson. Birth registered at Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire. His mother, Eliza remarried to a Thomas Cooper, in or before 1896 (5 year old Albert J Cooper). By 1911, 25 year old Conrad was a market gardener at 38, Kings Road, Mortlake, London, with wife Mary and 9 month old Cecil. His Medal Index Card shows arrival in France on 8 December 1915 thus qualifying for the 1915 Star as well as the British War and Victory medals. Maybe not what you were expecting, but it's a fairly rare surname, so there may be a link there.
Thank you to those who have responded already - I will try and dig out the photo I mentioned earlier. Sadly, my father passed away over the Bank Holiday and although this sad time has brought more memories my brain is a bit like scrambled egg at the moment. Carol
Hello Carol, Sorry to hear of your father's passing; my condolences to you and your family. As Diane ('dbf') has suggested (and when you feel ready) you should apply for your grandfather's FULL service records. This should give you most if not all you want to know about the regiment/battalion he served with and when. We can help with the other details i.e. actions and where, etc. The 1st Bn Green Howards served in both Sicily and Italy, with the 15th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division - from circa 10 July 1943 for the duration. The 6th and 7th Bns Green Howards served in Sicily, both with the 69th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division - from circa 10 July 1943 before returning to and landing in the UK on 5 November 1943; returned home in order to prepare for landing as part of an assault brigade (with the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment) on Gold Beach on D-Day and the fighting in NW Europe thereafter. If your grandfather landed and stayed on in Italy he was most likely with the 1st Bn Green Howards. Good luck with your search... Best, Steve.
Carol. If it turns out that he was in 1st Battalion, I have a lot of information on two of their actions - one on the crossing of the Garigliano on 17 Jan 44 and the other their diversionary attack in support of the breakout at Anzio on 23 May 44. More than happy to share that info with you. Regards FdeP
Hi Carol, my Great uncle was serving in the 1st battalion of the green Howard's and was killed in action on the 23rd. If you are able to offer any more information concerning the 1st actions on that day or before I would be very much in debt to you. Very best regards Mr Byrne
