14298031 Pte Richard TA BECK, 2 Bn Seaforth Highlanders

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Shiny, Aug 11, 2018.

  1. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Hi All,

    I've just found a newspaper article dated the 14th Aug 1944 which has a photo of a relative along with a story saying he has been wounded in Normandy. It says he has been in the army for 2 years and that he had also served in Sicily.

    I am getting quite used to researching WW1 soldiers but haven't really done much with WW2 ones.

    I have managed to get at a casualty card for him on find my past which has told me his regimental number and that he was in the 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders.

    I was wondering if I could get at the war diaries in the same way as I can with WW1 units?

    I'd love to know where the unit was and what they were doing in Sicily and then in Normandy. Basically I want to find out all I can about him.

    Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

    Thanks a lot,

    Michael
     
  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Welcome to the forum.

    Unfortunately the WW2 War Diaries are not available online in the same way as WW1 Diaries are available through Ancestry and via online download.

    They are accessible on site at Kew.

    However several forum members do offer a look up and copy service - such members can be contacted via below links.

    Good Luck

    Steve

    Archive Research - www.arcre.com

    http://ww2talk.com/index.php?members/drew5233.6786/
     
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  3. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the help Steve, I might drop one of them a line.

    Michael
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi,

    I already have a copy of the battalions 1944 war diary, drop me a private message if you'd like to get a copy.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  5. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Michael, the right direction should be his service records so that you can be sure who he served with and when.
    Get a copy of military service records

    His service number suggests that he enlisted with "General Service Corps" .

    Also worth searching this forum and you will find some war diary information, but you will need to be sure he was with them on any particular date:
    2nd Btn - Seaforth Highlanders - 51st Highland Division
     
  6. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Thanks a lot Tony, that's interesting about the GSC was that common?

    Andy I've sent you a PM, thanks a lot.

    Michael
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  8. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    I'll have a look, thanks Tony
     

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