I have just read on a post made in September that when lockdown happened in March this year, the Records Office had a backlog of 10,000 applications, so I can only assume that it is higher now. I have been wanting a copy of my Father's records for about two year (silly me for not doing it before), but I feel now is not the time to apply. On top of the present circumstance, I also have a couple of issue - one, I haven't got his Regiment or Army Number, and two, he volunteered for the Para's soon after being enlisted. He did his training for this, but I don't know where. So, having trained as a Para, would his Regiment have changed. With information missing, I'm not sure I will ever get his records. Has anyone had experience of receiving records with such gaps in the application Regards Sally
Sally, What was your father's full name, do you have any photographs that may hold clues to what unit he served with? Guy
You can apply for army records without a number. The form for Army (and RAF) states "* SERVICE NUMBER AND/OR DATE OF BIRTH MUST BE INCLUDED" So date of birth alone is sufficient - and death certificate if not a CWGC included death The only mandatory information required to add to the form is Surname and Full Forenames Get a copy of military service records Ross
The service record is key, but while you are waiting for this, maybe he was mentioned in one of the local papers that are now online, or at the local record office, or still with the original paper if it exists. Home | Search the archive | British Newspaper Archive
Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. Guy - His name was Arthur Bland, born Salford. He must have joined after 1942, as I had a sister who died in mid 1942 and he was at home then. He worked on Dock Maintenance at the time and was exempt from service, but then volunteered. He initially reported to Bamber Bridge, but was then moved to Aldershot. He eventually was shipped out to East Africa. There he became a Batman to one of the Officers. I do have a couple of photo's, but these are of him wearing a bush hat. The annoying thing is, I had a couple of his badges, one was 'wings' and one other - I also had his ID tag until a few years ago, but gave them to one of the Nephews, who now can't remember me giving him these items.
