Hi I am trying to confirm exactly what unit my grandfather was in. All I have is a photo with him wearing his badge, and a potential same name in the corresponding unit. Can anyone advise what the number 1454578 refers to? apologies in advance if I’m not using the correct terms TIA
Hello you need to apply for his service records to gain the info you are after The badge is that of the Reconnaissance Corps Get a copy of military service records edit: take out incorrect service number
Thanks - although the ‘it may take several months’ means I will have to keep digging around and hope I stumble on something!
Adelle the only place to get the official records is Get a copy of military service records. Do not pay any site for information. Once you have confirmation of his unit via the service records the members on this forum will assist you further, regards Clive
Army Number to check: The army number: 14545728 indicates that the soldier's original unit or date joined was: "General Service Corps"
Thanks - his name was: Matthew Joseph Hutton, home address was Wolverhampton (West Midlands/South Staffs). Born may 1916. Very limited info on him, one family member suggested he was a sapper in the royal fusiliers and spent time looking for mines. I know at some point he was based in/near Austria/Graz since we have a ‘step family’ there from his time serving! So within the General Service Corps am I right to assume from the badge he wears on his hat in photo, the Recci Corps is part of that? Thanks again
Find my past has 14545728 Tpr. M. Hutton listed as wounded 25/8/1944 whilst serving with 1Regt. Recce Corps.
After a certain date in the war army recruits were enlisted into the GSC to do their basic training & whilst there the army decided what to do with them. In his case he was posted to the Recce Regt. Late-member Tom Canning gives some background info on the GSC in post #2 here. General Service Corps
Adelle sorry but you appear to be going around in circles picking out random Matthew Huttons You need to apply for his service records.You need to get a copy of his death certificate ,Date of birth and follow the link Get a copy of military service records. Apply for the records of someone who's deceased You can apply for a copy of someone else’s service records if any of the following apply: you’re their immediate next of kin, for example their spouse or parent you’ve got consent from their immediate next of kin you have a general research interest - you’ll only have access to limited information, unless they died more than 25 years ago You need to know the person’s full name, date of birth and service number (YOU DONT REQUIRE HIS SERVICE NUMBER) Fill in 2 forms - a request form and a search form. the number you quoted shows above regiment The Queen's Royal Regiment
I know, but can’t afford £30 for records and £20 or whatever it is for a death certificate so trying by process of elimination working through various family members recollections. I won’t use up anyone’s time anymore!! Thanks for your help this far.
Adelle working through recollections will not give you the detail you could end up researching the wrong person. Can you confirm you have the the right person in your first post. Ask family members to chip in it will cost you circa 40 quid
Adelle, I do sympathise, but see service records as the only way forward. There are very few WW2 personal records that are freely available in contrast to WW1 where there is a great deal of information to be found. It is a question of confidentiality to those who may still be living. The photo you posted of your grandfather confirms the Reconnaissance Corps, and post #10 that he may have been 1st Recce in August 1944, however, you should also consider that he may have served in more than one unit. Have a look at this recent post: Help with understanding dads war in Burma This soldier enlisted with the General Service Corps, but also served, at different times, with Royal Artillery, East Surrey Regiment and Royal Sussex Regiment. If your objective is to trace his movements and actions throughout the war then I think this illustrates how picking up on one particular piece of information and researching that could result in a completely false picture of a soldier's service.
Adelle. If Tpr Hutton was injured in Aug 44 whilst serving with 1 Recce Regt, it is likely that he was serving with them in the months prior to that injury - although only his Service Record will be able to confirm this. Assuming that he was indeed serving with them before Aug 44, that would place him at Anzio where 1 Recce Regt landed as part of 1 British Infantry Division on 22 Jan 44 and stayed until the breakout on 23 May 44. If you would like to see what 1 Recce Regt got up to at Anzio, you are welcome to join the group that I am taking there on 13-16 Jun 19. Regards Frank
