Hi, I hope someone might be able to help me with advice, information or pointers in relation to my late maternal grandfather Ernest William Thomas Miles. The following facts are what I know of his military service during the war: - He was in the navy and I believe attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer - for a period of time, 18 months I believe, he was a POW in Africa, held by the Vichy French after his ship ran aground! - he was at D-Day, I believe in a support ship behind US forces Unfortunately, I don't know when he enlisted, what ships he served on or when and therefore any combat he may have seen, the dates of imprisonment, or what his role in D-Day was. He was born in Kent in England so may have enlisted there, and was born in 1920. Any help or suggestions would be gratefully received. Many thanks, Jon
Jon You need to apply for his service record from MOD Navy, Whale Island Portsmouth it will cost around £35.00 and take 9 months to arrive, this will give you full details of his service.
Hi Oldman, Many thanks for taking the time to reply. Thank you for the info which I will certainly take a look at and see if I can obtain a service record via that. I guess I was also wondering in order to make any application easier was whether there were any public sources which might allow me to determine which unit in the navy he was in, and then seek the service record from there? Any advice or thoughts on this would also be gratefully received. Thanks, Jon
