I am aware of the number block in which the Grenadiers' service numbers fall and have seen the unofficial nominal rolls on the forum. An acquaintance has referred to his father having been evacuated with the Grenadier Guards from Dunkirk (I know all 3 battalions were there) and is pondering applying for his record. However, he has the service number 3526717 which is in the Manchester's block. I am asking him to re-check. Would it be correct to say that, if the number is correct, then his father must have started life with the Manchesters and then gone up the world to the Grenadiers Guards? Max
Max To answer your question - When applying for service records you do not need a service number - if he applies he will need a death certificate which does 2 things, provides a date of birth [to correlate to his file] and a death of death,obviously, but this allows them to ascertain what information can be released Request records of deceased service personnel * SERVICE NUMBER AND/OR DATE OF BIRTH MUST BE INCLUDED TD
Thanks chaps - done that, the man's aim was to get straight from battalion to war diary if possible and I wanted to be on solid ground when telling him he will have to apply. Max
Hi, Going back to your original query. It’s not unusual for pre war Guardsmen to have a non “Guards” number. The most common explanation is previous service in a TA Battalion of a line Regiment (or Corps). Steve