Royal Navy records

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by johnwindle, Mar 15, 2020.

  1. johnwindle

    johnwindle Junior Member

    Hi
    Is it unusual that I cannot find any records on any website for James Windle who I believe was based in Simonstown South Africa in WW2
    The only story I have is that he was torpedoed on 2 different ships which might have been the Redout or Racehorse.
    From a photo of him wearing a uniform it seems he was a Leading Seaman
    Thanks
     
  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    No, it's quite usual actually. There is very little by the way of personal WW2 records out in the public domain, best bet, assuming Royal Navy, is to get service records.
    Get a copy of military service records
     
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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    John you will not find any WW2 records on line you have to apply the official route
    Get a copy of military service records

    you require date of birth and death certificate plus £30

    do not go to pay for sites they will not have his service records and you will be lighter in the pocket

    regards
    Clive
     
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  4. johnwindle

    johnwindle Junior Member

    Thanks Tony & Clive
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    A little more basic info, is his full name James Windle? when and where was he born?, names of any ships he may have mentioned ?? it would help members before you receive the official service records from the MOD

    TD
     
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  6. johnwindle

    johnwindle Junior Member

    James Windle
    Born 1915 in Liverpool
    Ships Racehorse or Redoubt
    Just ordered service records from GRO
     
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Presume you mean MOD - the GRO deal with civil records not military

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
    Name: James Windle
    Death Age: 71
    Birth Date: 17 May 1915
    Registration Date: Oct 1986
    Registration district: Liverpool
    Inferred County: Merseyside
    Volume: 36
    Page: 862

    I see Ancestry has him in quite a number of trees

    TD
     
  8. johnwindle

    johnwindle Junior Member

    Yes
    Sent for death certificate to apply to MOD
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Ah yes sorry - if you can use the option in your first post to 'edit' it, it might be worth adding his name and service number if you have it to the title, it could help attract other naval types to your thread

    TD
     
  10. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    The two ship's mentioned in the opening post both survived the war with no indications of any torpedo attack.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
  11. johnwindle

    johnwindle Junior Member

    We think he had 4 years service and the 2 ships mentioned I think where based at Simonstown and not the torpedoed ships
     

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