my grandad has just passed away and i have been trying to search background into what regiment he was in and things like that he got lots of medals but dont know where to find the regiment he was in any ideas?
2007-01-01 00:42:24 · 9 answers · asked by gullsgirl2000 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
You can apply to the Ministry of Defence for access to his service record, but this is limited to next of kin, or a letter from the next of kin authorising you to act on their behalf. If your grandad has a widow, then that would be her, or one of his surviving children, or if not any surviving grandchildren.
The fee is quite hefty - that I do know. Something in the region of £35 last time I made enquiries. There is a page on the National Archives website which links to the MOD site and gives a postal address to apply to. All you should need really is a full name and date of birth, though obviously the more info you have the quicker a search will be. It can take weeks or even months though.
If you have the medals it may be easier and cheaper to take them to an expert in the field and ask if there are any clues to be gleaned from here. Even old photos can be helpful, as it is possible to identify a mans regiment from things like their cap badges and other uniform identifiers - if you are an expert in such things. I'm not, but plenty of people are.
2007-01-01 03:02:31 · answer #1 · answered by Mental Mickey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you know where he fought, which campaigns, then this can help a great deal. Like if he served at Arnham he would be in the 1st airborne divison, or D-day the 6th Airborne. The service mdals should give you some idea.
If not then try getting in touch with either the Parachute Regiment Museum at Aldershot, or the common wealth war graves (i know he didn't die in action, but they may be able to help). It is also possible to get service records for former soldiers, but this is limited to close family.
2007-01-01 00:50:48 · answer #2 · answered by Emma L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,sorry to hear about your Grandad
My Gran is knocking on Heavons door aswell
Try contacting BFBS
this is the british forces broadcasting service
Its a radio station for us forces serving abroad,they might be able to put you in the right direction
goto www.bfbs.com
Hope this helps, if not mail me and i can have an ask around
But going back to Iraq on Thursday for another 4 months
stay safe
2007-01-01 00:55:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Army records office at the tower of london, regimental or battalion hq they are based at Aldershot if you have your GRANDFATHERS SERVICE NUMBER AND A APPROXIMATE DATE OF SERVICE THEY WILL HELP YOU THERE IS ALSO A OLD COMRADES UNIT, the address gained from HQ,IF YOU CAN GAIN ACCESS TO ANCESTRY .COM THEY HAVE ARMY MEDAL LISTS, find out as much info as possible things like date of birth, marraige partner ,where served,where domiciled, this will save you a lot of work later on, you can gain a great insight into your grandfathers past by asking family members and getting rough dates off them you can check on line at county records offices ,newspapers they sometimes printed lists, this is how i tracked my grandfathers exploits,only to find that we had a much deserved hero and a very gallant gentleman.regards LF
2007-01-01 01:47:20 · answer #4 · answered by lefang 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you try doing a google on your Grandad's name. You might be pleasantly surprised and get the answer. Or you could write to the government requesting the information.
2007-01-01 00:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first place to look for the answer is the local legion hall. go there and take the medals with you. the reg. he was in may be indicated by the service medals. in addition they will be able to provide you with the contact info regarding veterans affairs and papers related to your grandfathers military history.
if you do it this way not only will you find out who he was with in the war you will learn what each medal was for and end up with a copy of his letter that allowed him to finish with the military the reason for his leaving will be included in this. in addition records are kept showing who was rewarded what medals ribbons or honors .
2007-01-01 00:58:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
If you know his service number the Royal British Legion will be able to give you the information. He was probably a member.
Good luck.
2007-01-01 01:00:40 · answer #7 · answered by LYN W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're in Australia, try the War Memorial website:
http://www.awm.gov.au/research/index.htm
This has information on individual servicemen & women.
I don't know what the overseas equivalents are.
2007-01-01 00:56:51 · answer #8 · answered by Spell Check! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first, im sorry for your loss. second, there is only one parachute regiment. goto the MOD, they have a search facility, i know it works coz i found my grandad who was in ww1...
2007-01-01 01:15:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what side was he on
2007-01-01 03:06:25 · answer #10 · answered by twangerb7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋