Information needed Stephen Olson KEIR

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Teresamendoza, Aug 5, 2021.

  1. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    Hello everyone
    I am researching a Scottish soldier by the name of Stephen Olson Keir.
    He is a friends grandfather who they know little about and are hoping to get some info on. Stephen was very proud to have served in WW2 so I thought it might be a good place to start.
    Any information or tips on where to look would be much appreciated.
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello and welcome
    If he served in GB forces then the only way to go is here
    Get a copy of military service records

    Date of birth plus death certificate and £30 is required pleas read the link for the relevant forms.There is currently a long wait whilst they process them.
    You will not find info about him on pay for sites on the internet so please dont waste your money

    Regards
    Clive
     
  3. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Teresa,

    It will help the sleuths here if you can provide all the information you have. Even the oddest clue can help e.g. places served and photos; best of all would be his unit, address, service number etc.

    If Stephen was an Other Rank in my limited experience that makes it harder (note en route to you).

    As you can see - scanning recent threads - usually help can identify much more.
     
    Teresamendoza likes this.
  4. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    There is a family tree on Ancestry by that name from Broughty Ferry born 19/7/16 and died 1993 - is that him? it has the below Artillery tracer card attached

    61820_006916_0035-02794.jpg
     
  5. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    Yes that's him this is the only information the family has.
    Thanks so much any information is appreciated
     
  6. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    The Card above shows one formation 14 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (RHA), for six months in 1943 and then onto the 'X List' (whatever that means, probably explained here somewhere) with ME which I think means Middle East. Then assigned to PAI which is an abbreviation for PAIFORCE, which was officially called Persia and Iraq Command, this British command was formed in August 1942 when Persia and Iraq were split off from Middle East Command. Then back to Middle East Forces prior to his release.

    For the 'X' List see: X lists (Service Records) and a very shorter one: 'X' Lists 1939 -1945 | ͏

    As for 14 Regiment RHA ARSSE shows just this:
    From: How many bty,s was there in the Royal Artillery

    Post 10 on the link refers to:
    From: 104th Regiment RHA - Axis History Forum
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    His Army Number ties in with a West Yorkshire Regiment enlistment - I think pre June 1940 but not sure how much before
     
  9. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Cheers owen. Wiki adds for the 10th Armoured Division:
    From: 10th Armoured Division (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia

    The 7th Armoured Brigade Group, was part of the 10th for a short period from Wiki:
    The 31 Indian Armoured Division, which never saw combat as a division has Wiki entry minus any mention of 14 RHA. See: 31st Indian Armoured Division - Wikipedia

    The card above shows he was with 14 RHA May to November 1943
     
  10. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    Wow
    You guys are amazing
     
  11. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    If he enlisted with the West Yorkshire Regt you will need his official service records to understand his full military details, do you know for certain that his service number is 4537203 or is it just the name?
     
  12. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    Hi Tony
    The only information I have is what's on that card sorry
     
  13. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Thinking that you should be careful researching a soldier just because the name is the same, may be him, may not be, that is why service records are so important.
     
    ozzy16 and dbf like this.
  14. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    I have been able to obtain his date of birth
    19/7/1916
     
  15. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Stephen Olson Keir
    Birth 19 Jul 1916 Broughty Ferry, Angus, Scotland
    Marriage 1943 Lochee, Angus, Scotland
    Death 1993 Dundee, Angus, Scotland
    Father John Stephen Keir (1891-1916)
    Mother Catherine Heggie Watt Sutherland (Born 1885)
    Spouse Ellen Meredith Fitzpatrick (1915-2015)

    UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923
    Name: Stephen. Olson Keir
    Birth Date: 19 Jul 1916
    Residence Place: Broughty Ferry
    Relation to Soldier: Child
    Title: WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers
    Description: Other Ranks Died Keeling A-Keitch W
    Next of Kin:
    Name Relation to Soldier
    John Stephen Keir
    Catherine Heggie Watt
    Stephen. Olson Keir Child
     
    Teresamendoza, ozzy16 and 4jonboy like this.
  16. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    That's so awesome
    Thank you so much that's definitely him
     
  17. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    This is awesome
    Thank you so much this is definitely him
     
  18. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    I am sorry to keep on, but are you aware that you are looking at two completely separate records?

    Post #15 - "UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923" is a record for his father, John Stephen Keir; Catherine is recorded as his wife and Stephen his child, Stephen's details are bound to be correct. As it states this is a WW1 record and he was KIA 4 Nov 1916.
    Casualty Details | CWGC

    Post #4 - the tracer card is a WW2 record and something completely different. The card contains no personal information other than a name Stephen Keir, who enlisted with the West Yorkshire Regiment.
     
  19. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    Yes
    I am aware about John I have been able to get information about him.

    Stephen doe I have not
     
  20. Teresamendoza

    Teresamendoza Member

    I was told today that he belonged to the blackwatch if that means something?
     

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