MOD ALREADY TRANSFERRING WW2 SERVICE FILES TO UK NATIONAL ARCHIVES 2021

Great news.

 

Just checked National Archives site and see my father’s service record is now indexed & listed on Discovery search engine.

Still no news on when NA will send me a copy….


Steve

 

So, I am likely going to make a complaint to the ICO about TNA's handling of my request for an internal review. Out of interest, when people have been registering their complaint, which boxes have you ticked on the ICO's complaint portal?



Certainly the one indicated, as they have not completed my request for an internal review in the adequate time frame. But since I am also concerned about their handling of case in general (and their massive over-redactions), I was wondering about the bottom box as well. But since I've not heard from them about their review, it also feels a little unfair without giving them a chance to rectify it.

It might be that it makes not too much difference which boxes you tick, and more important how you write your complaint. But just wondering what others have done to successfully navigate this process.

Also, have folk generally submitted the email reply from TNA saying "here are your documents, some redacted under Sec 41" or the actual redacted documents as evidence for the public body's response to the request?

Cheers in advance!

 

I've only ever complained if they have failed to respond to my request (first one) or they have failed to carry out an Internal review (second one).

ATB.
John.

 

Thanks, John. That's really helpful to know that that has generally led to successful conclusions!

 

Thanks to your post Robou, I've actually just submitted a complaint to the ICO regarding TNA failing to find a record (no 3).

I wouldn't have complained, had I not seen your post...so thanks and fingers crossed

 

I fretted over the same issue:

It's true that their internal review reviewed nothing and presented no conclusion, but ultimately, the review was not the aim, the files were—so I went with the first box and mentioned the unsatisfactory review in the explanation box below.

 

What is the longest delay you guys have encountered re: 116 year rule? My latest family enquiry have been asked to wait until 2037 for their soldiers' full records. Any advance on this at all?

 

Hi,

My reading of NA rules is that 25 years since death trumps the 116 years since birth rule and allows a closed file to be opened.

Steve

 

That would appear to have been how the rules were applied in my case.

116 years since birth = 2034
25 years since death = 2017

File opened in full including medical records.

 

I've had an RAF record opened by RAF Disclosures, as follows:

DoB was Apr 1943 - so 116 yr rule would have been 2059.

Subject died in 2022 - so 25 yr rule would have been 2047.

I received his record of service on 13 Oct 2025.

The 116 yr rule is only applicable if you don't have a death certificate.

 

Thanks Steve,

The advice you gave me a while back still forms the basis of my response to the families who face this issue, and they are grateful for it.

 

Hi John, thanks for your reply. I was just seeing if anyone had a longer wait for a WW2 soldier really. Forum member papiermache told me recently that requests for service records at TNA are down 59% against numbers from February 2025 and that they hope to clear the back log this summer. This comes from the February 2026 minutes at TNA. So things are hopefully looking up....we shall see.

 

MoD publication scheme trumps TNA scheme John.

A few years ago MoD amended to remove 25 year after death clause. They will open file on evidence of death but redact for 3rd party references.

TNA adopted the previous version of publication when first army records transferred and have not applied to IOC with amendment MOD works to.
MoD limitation of 25years since death removed - RAFCommands Forums
Ross

 

Sorry Steve, my mistake.

My most recent service record request was for a soldier who passed in 2010. I only went for the standard search and received 9 pages (basic movements, etc, no medical information) within 48 hrs of my request.

I thought the process, and turnaround, was very good.

Best.
John.

 

Good to hear things are speeding up as hoped, John. I must get on and apply for the other two brothers of my Burma grandad, this will complete the set of five.

Cheers

Steve

 

Still not heard any more, apart from the acknowledgment, of my application in August ‘25 for Gun Buster, but presumably the record is with MOD, not TNA, as they’ve never referred me on.

It would have been 25 years this September, as he passed away that month in 2001, but if they’ve removed that criteria now anyway, then no longer applicable. Probably I will get redacted records, but that’ll likely be personal stuff that I won’t mind anyway.

 

Beat my own question (above) by 3 years with the following soldier's records:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C20317676

 

Hi,

As the NA transfer/digitisation scheme also covers post war National Service personnel the 116 year access rule is in effect until 2055 for personnel born 1939 -

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C18087787

Steve

 

Thanks Steve,

As I said to John on Tuesday, I was looking through the latest family enquiries for the Chindit Society and the Chindits Not Forgotten Facebook group and seeing who was potentially going to have to wait the longest for a full set of records. At least I now know that my Dad's records will be given a 116 year rule date of 2052 for his National Service in Malaya.