Hello all I'm trying to trace details of my Grandfather who served in the 1st Army in Africa in WWII. I have his originals medals in the exact box delivered to his home after the war and whilst I have compiled a lot of his ancestral details over the past years, I cannot for some reason find anything on his military service, not even his regiment or corps. He was born 6th November 1906 in Camberwell and passed away May 1969. He has the following medals: 1939-45 Star Arica Star (with 1st Army Clasp) France and Germany Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 I would be very grateful for any help in tracing when he joined up, his service number or what regiment/corps he served with. He was wonderful man and I remember him well from my childhood. It is also my fathers 80th birthday in August, so it would be lovely to have a picture of my grandfather or details which I could share with father. Many thanks and kind regards Alan
h and welcome to the forum. do you have his service records? If not you could apply for them, they will give lots of details of your grandfathers service.
Hi and welcome, As mentioned above, they are the only way to identify which units he served with during WW2. Cheers Andy
Hello and thank you for your help I do not have my grandfathers service records, though I will look to get them now. Is there a preferred website to apply for these? Many thanks Alan
Think this should be the way to go, if in doubt ask somebody else! I've applied for two sets of service records and messed them both up, but got there in the end. service records: https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records
Hi Is there no Army no. on the medal boxes or in the slip that came with it? This would at least give a clue which regiment or corps he joined. Would anyone else in the family have any photos of him from that time, or letters from him? Was he in the local RBL, would anybody remember him? Could there have been any article in the local papers about him, perhaps a obit placed by old comrades? Did he get married or have any children during the war? Depending on the date, an army number might have been quoted on the certificates. Good luck.
Hi, MOD will search on basis of full name and DOB only but a service number would obviously make it easier. Good Luck Steve Y
Nobby while waiting for his service records bear in mind that when Sicily came about 8th Army was short of bodies so reached out to 1st Army for reinforcements- at the end o Sicily they went home to the uk thus had the France and Germany star and your g'father will be found in XXX corps or Viii Armoured Bde Cheers
