Genealogy Chat

Goodness knows Paul! My grandfather fought in WW1 and WW2. He had a partial disability from WW1 for which he received an army pension until his death in 1965. His WW1 army service record seems to be missing from Kew (he was an officer, so wouldn't have been in the burnt records). Recently, I enquired about his WW2 record at the MoD and they just happened to mentioned in passing that they MIGHT have his WW1 stuff as well, because his pension records crossed the 1921 cut off point for the ''finished with'' WW1 records. So..........now I have everything crossed for the MoD. Trouble is, the standard letter says it could be months before the items arrive. The last time we got army records from the MoD it took 13 months :o(( Merry

Hi My Gt Grandfather served prior to WW1 left and then was called back up again at the start of the war. I guess he was a reservist. Thankfully he survived the war and went on to the ripe old age of 90. I have his birth cert, Service Number, a medal card and I know he was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery. How do I go about applying for his records (if they exist)? Also I seem to recall that there is a better chance if your rellie left the army and was a pensioner - or did I dream that? Cheers ... Paul

Just a quick note ... SOME of the papers of those killed in action in the First World War DO survive - I've seen 'em! They seem mainly to be in the 'burnt files' section - those that were damaged by the incendiary bomb in WW2. It's worth looking. Regs Annie

hi Sorry don't want to tread on this thread but if you can prove that you are a close felative or giet a letter form a living relative of said person whose WW1 or WW2 records you want then apart from the cost and the wait then YES you can enquire as to whether they have them I got one set for WW1 for my Grandma's Grandad the were obtained via a Private Researcher though and then I obtained my Hubby's grandads WW2 papers So long as you have his name and service number it doesn't matter what Rank he reached he/sh would have a Service record regardless of hosw short it was. Wendy

Phoenix Thanks for your explanation. Hadn't even considered that they might have been deliberately destroyed! I can imagine that they would want no record of those killed. As you say, when you think of the number involved, and all the pro-war propaganda at the time, then they wouldn't have wanted all the details known. But these men died for the country! Shouldn't we be proud, and happy to keep any references to them?

I think I actually read on here somewhere that you can order and see WW1 records at your local LDS centre. I passed this on to someone who is interested in WW1 and he has ordered the relevant films, so it is possible. I hope this helps someone. Regards Jill

I was told in a talk, and I really don't understand why, that the army destroyed all their service personnel records for those killed in action. I was sitting in the audience, mouthing 'no, rubbish' till I realised that the records I had seen were for those who died of wounds. This weeding took place before WW2. I look at the rows of microfilm cabinets and think of the number of records that are there. Then I think of the numbers that were destroyed in the bombing, and then you add on all the men who were killed in action and the numbers are horrifying.

Phoenix I noticed you said this in a thread the other day, and meant to ask you about it then, but didn't, so asking now!!! Does this mean that records for all soldiers KIA were held in a particular place, and were totally destroyed in the bombing? I go to National Archives a lot, but can't say I've ever seen this mentioned there. Thanks for any info.

Hi Bev Was your man killed in action, or did he die of wounds? Apparently if he was kia, the records don't survive.

Thanks Merry & Co Looks like I'll have to take a trip to Kew then and see if I fall lucky and my rellie's papers survived:-) He was only a private, but I feel a very strong connection as I found him on the CWGC site exactly 90 years to the day since he died!!!!!! wonder if I could bribe my cousin to go for a peek - she lives in London:-) Bev X

Well, it's only money, isn't it!! Papers ordered! DONE! Bacardi Bev - His record is isolated because having joined up as a private, he got himself a commission, so he was an officer! Their records are listed individually because the physical papers are at Kew, rather than them being microfilmed. Don't forget (for those who are on chapter 8 of this saga) hubby has already SEEN these papers in Aug 2003. I phoned him today and said, ''were there a LOT when you saw them???'' and he said, ''Yes, but not very interesting in the main'' - that's why he only photographed about a dozen sheets, but the camera was malfunctioning (much as I would like to say it was the camera operator who was malfunctioning, that wasn't the case!! LOL) I shall be going through with a fine toothcomb, in case hubby missed anything IMPORTANT!! LOL And he can have bread and dripping for tea if there was!! Merry

Bev, I have a feeling that Merry's great-uncle was an officer and that is why she can order it. My great-uncle was only a private, and I really wish I could get his war records! But a lot of the non-officers' records were ruined in a fire, anyway. Was your rellie an officer? Kate.

Oh Merry, but one thing you can be sure of, there is going to be a bit more there than just 'joined up, served, retired/died'. Isn't this the guy who won a bravery award? Maybe it will tell you what he did to get it. My grandfather won the Military Medal but I cannot discover exactly why. All I have is the story my mother told me, and as he died when she was 2, this may not be entirely accurate! Go for it, it has to be worth the money. (And let us know what it says). Tina

Merry I have to ask - how you found you could order his WW1 record as I have a rellie that served (and died) and I would like to get his record too?? TIA Bev X

Are you going to order it? Do let us know if you do and if there is anything worth £40 in there... Kate.

My great uncle's army record is going to cost me over £40 from the TNA!! If the one you ALL know about, that I bought by mistake and was 45 pages, cost only £13, what did my great-uncle get up to that took up soooo much paper??!! LOL.......Answers on a postcard, please! Happy Hunting - Merry x