Looking for Great-Uncle in WW2, T. McLaughlin - Grenadier Guard

Hi everyone,
I am new to the forum but have found it very helpful when in my search so apologies if I'm posting in the wrong place.
I am looking for more information on my great uncle. Thomas McLaughlin, Service number: 2617497.
I was able to retrieve his # through MOD but more information can take 12 months.

From my research, I believe he was a Grenadier Guard (also confirmed on his marriage license). Maybe a Sergeant as well (also on his marriage license). Other than that, I have his DOB and birth place and that's it unfortunately. My mum says he used to talk about being in North Africa and was a tank commander. Again, those were stories he told, not confirmed.

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated as I am at a stand still with my research. He seems like a myth at this point lol

 

Welcome to the forum

You mention his service records so I assume you have applied for them.
Other members with expertise on Guards Regiments might be able to help further

 

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

There isn’t a lot of information about WW2 soldiers freely available on the internet as MOD still hold the service records. Casualty records for wounded/captured personnel are on findmypast site and gallantry awards are available via London Gazette with some citations at UK National Archives.

If he was in North Africa he was in either 3rd/5th/6th Battalion (disbanded late 1944). They fought in North Africa & Italy as infantry from 1943/45. If he was a tank commander he would’ve fought in Europe with 2nd/4th Battalion in Guards Armoured Division after D Day through to the end of the war. 1st Battalion were a motorized infantry battalion.

The date on the marriage certificate may help but I really think you will struggle to make any progress until you get sight of his service record and have a firm factual basis on which unit(s) he served in and from which you’ll be able to research further.

Forum member dbf has created a helpful GG reference thread here /

Grenadier Guards: Reference Thread

The 2 volume Regimental history is available via hathitrust site.

Link to volume 1 - neither volume is Downloadable.

The Grenadier Guards in the war of 1939-1945, by Nigel Nicolson and Patrick Forbes v.1.


Steve