Please help with info on my grandad.

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Ghiblijess, Sep 7, 2019.

  1. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

    I would like to know more about my Grandad's time during WW2.
    When i was younger, he would rarely talk about his time in the war, and I can only remember him mentioning two things.
    I have a few things from his time serving, photographs, and some information, but I cannot seem to find any record of his service online.
    Any information anyone can give regarding uniform, or his regiment, etc. Anything at all would be useful, thank you.
     
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  2. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Well, folks here are going to tell you that you can request his service records though I don't know where to point you. I do gather you need permission from his next of kin, so possibly one of his children if they are still alive, and as far as I know it has to be done by mail.

    From the note, which says "41st S/L Reg't RA", I would assume "S/L" means "searchlight".
     
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  3. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

    I have tried looking for information on his regiment, but so far found nothing. What does that mean, searchlight?
     
  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Firstly service records - you will find very little if anything at all online - WW2 service records are only available from the MOD and the forms can be found on this link - Request records of deceased service personnel
    These records will tell you which units he was with, when and where - you need these to start researching your relative to ensure you follow his path and dont guess

    Searchlight means exactly that the use of a searchlight, either against enemy aircraft for the gunners to see what they are shooting at or to blind the enemy during night time operations
    RA 1939-45 41 SL Rgt

    41st (North Staffs) Anti-Aircraft Btn. RE (TA) 1940

    TD

    Forgot to add - you will need a copy of his death certificate and also anyone can apply for his service records what you receive is based on when he died [if within 25 years less than without] for example
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2019
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  5. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

    My mother has his death certificate, he died in 2004 so what kind of information would I receive?
     
  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Have a look at the forms they tell you, but as next of kin you should I think receive a full set - send them off in your mothers name and signature.

    To be honest it will be "you receive what they send you" but you can always phone them and ask, they dont bite

    TD
     
  7. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

    Also, what does the B.A.O.R mean on his letter?
     
  8. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

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  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  10. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

    I was wondering why, if he was in the royal artillery, why does he have an injury report from the royal air force?
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    It's dated 1948.
    He may have transferred Post war.
     
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  12. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

    On the forms, it says I must put a service number....would that be the 858119 (gnr. Snape.j) on the front of the postcard? If not, I'm not sure how to find out what it is.
     
  13. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    I would say that it is his Service No. but it is not mandatory to put it on the Forms if you know his date of birth.
    * SERVICE NUMBER AND/OR DATE OF BIRTH MUST BE INCLUDED
    Tim
     
  14. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Royal Artillery (Field, Coastal & Anti-Aircraft) 721001 - 1842000

    So, yes.
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'd say so.
    Fits in the block allocated to Royal Artillery.
    Army Number Block Allocations
     
  16. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

    I remember seeing a picture of my grandad standing outside Bergen-belsen just after the war ended. Is there any way of finding out if he was a part of its liberation/ or maybe stationed there, or something??
     
  17. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Once you get his service records, that will give the dates he was with each unit.

    From that, you can consult the War Diaries for those units at the National Archives at Kew and they will indicate daily locations and activities.
     
  18. Ghiblijess

    Ghiblijess Member

  19. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    It seems to me that he had an accident whilst working for a civilian haulage company at 236 Maintenance Unit RAF but I can’t make out the location or the nature of the injury sustained.

    Steve
     
  20. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

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