Hello I am trying to research my Grandad's service in WW2. This is the only record that matches with him - there aren't any others with his name. I can't find any other type of record relating to him, even now I have his personal number. Can anyone shed any light on where he was posted to please or why there aren't any other records? My other Grandad has other WW2 records online. I know I will have to apply for his service records but I was hoping for some additional details to confirm it is definitely him before putting my request into the MoD. I have other records for every year of his life bar WW2 so I am pretty sure he served. Finally, does anyone know what the abbreviations are? E.g. 46/45. I assume the second numbers are the year, but I am not sure what the first ones are. Many thanks in advance! Sarah
Hi Sarah - I think the first reference when he enlisted is to the following unit: 73rd (Kent Fortress) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery - Wikipedia It then seems that he was posted to a series of heavy anti aircraft units. Others on the forum might know more about these units and where they were stationed.
Hi, Welcome to the forum. The 46/45 is a reference to the unit Part II Order ie it was published in Pt II order number 46 of 1945. That paperwork no longer exists. Can I ask where this paperwork originated from? RA attestation? Very little from WW2 is freely available on the internet - hence “why there aren’t anymore records”. You have to apply to MOD. I don’t know what additional confirmatory details you want before you apply to MOD? This form shows he served in various Heavy Anti Aircraft Units of the Royal Artillery. The war diaries will be held at U.K. National Archives. Steve
I wouldnt assume that is the right person just because it's the only one you found that fits. All you need to apply to the MoD with is his full name and date of birth.
Hi Is that the tracer card? His records will give more of an explanation, not much more is online for WW2 As for "Finally, does anyone know what the abbreviations are? E.g. 46/45. I assume the second numbers are the year, but I am not sure what the first ones are." I think they are army orders relating to his movements, and don't really mean much now. You could try googling his regiments to find a bit more about them, the war diaries for each one are not online yet, but some people here do go to NA and can get copies for you at a reasonable fee. regards Robert
I can only endorse what has been said above, and the only real way forward is to send off for his service records, they are only available from one place: Get a copy of military service records The important thing to remember is that, despite what it states, you DO NOT need any military details, this is explained on the NOK forms. You may be correct in assuming that the record found is your grandfather - but can you be certain? If you haven't got his death certificate post up some more details, date of birth/death, location etc and folks around here will look for the information you need.
Thank you all for your replies. That is the tracer card which I found on Fold3. My maternal Grandad had PoW records and Roll of Honour records, so I guess I was just hoping/expecting to find a bit more about my paternal Grandad, but he wasn't killed in action and if he wasn't a PoW then those records wouldn't be available. I tried googling some of the regiments but didn't have much luck. I wasn't aware that war diaries were held at NA so thank you for this new information. Thank you for explaining the order numbers too. I will apply to the MoD and hope they have my Grandad's records. Best wishes Sarah
I'm not 100% sure it is my Grandad, but it's not a common name and there is only one George Thomas Holliday who comes up in my searches. I have got his birth and death certificates so that will help.
This is from the Royal Artillery attestation and matches the details you posted originally, doesn't prove its your grandad though.....
Sarah.... MOD records are the best way to go, but if you give us a few details on your grandad kit might help some of us with context info...... details re his birth, marriage, death, parents, wife, kids location etc.
George Thomas Holliday Born 16 March 1916 in Paddington, London Died March 1970 in Hendon Born to Eileen Esther Hobbs (1893 - 1959) and George Holliday (1894 - 1945). Married Eileen M Thatcher in 1935 in Marylebone and had three children; George 1936, Eileen Mary 1939 and Valarie A Holliday in 1953. He lived in Paddington/Marylebone almost his entire life until moving to Islington in 1959. He had three brothers; Henry, Patrick Charles and Charles. I have records such as directories, marriages/baptisms, voters lists, etc. for every year of his life bar 1940 - 1945. Thanks again. I hope that helps.
There are a number of RA attestations for George Holliday including this one: It is interesting as it mentions London W1, but also states 'cancelled' and I have no idea what that indicates, perhaps someone else can. Although the attestation posted by wibs12 in post #11 looks good, it perhaps does prove it is dangerous to assume just because the name fits.
I would apply using just his name and date and place of birth when the records arrive back if they match this record then great if not at least you know you have the right records If you try using these details and it’s not your grandfather (they may be 2 people with same name) then you have wasted £30 hope this helps
Do you have his medals if not apply for his ww2 medals (they are free) if they were issued and then lost they will tell you what was issued and when. Google claiming ww2 medals it is a .GOV site all you need is his name and death certificate ( wait until you receive records back) regards james
1939 REGISTER Parents: 2 Crockford Place, St Marylebone, London Name - DOB - Occupation - Marital status George Holliday - 29 Jul 1894 - House Painter - Married Ellen Holliday - 10 Jun 1894 - Unpaid Domestic Duties - Married Kenny Holliday - 07 Sep 1917 - Motor Driver - Single Ellen J Bright (Holliday) - 25 Dec 1920 - Matcher (Dressmakers) - Single Patrick Holliday - 12 Dec 1921 - Sheet Metal Works - Single The record for this person is officially closed. 9 Crockford Place, St Marylebone, London Name - DOB - Occupation - Marital status George Holliday - 16 Mar 1916 - Motor Spare Driver - Married Eileen Holliday - 02 Nov 1916 - Unpaid Dd - Married The record for this person is officially closed. Eileen M Holliday - 30 Jan 1939 - Infant - Single
