Anyone require War Diaries or other files from the National Archives?

Roughly how long are unit war diaries ?, I know the cost depends on length but an idea of the average cost of getting one copied would be really helpful , I know this is a very vague question but I'm completely clueless ! Any help would be appreciated greatly.

 

Lots of factors can determine the thickness like the individual officer writing them and how many appendices have survived. Different units can also be a factor like Royal Artillery diaries tend to be thicker than Royal Engineers. The date period covered can work both ways if a diary covers 18 to 24 months its likely to be more thicker than say a 1940 BEF diary that covers 6 months. Then there's the campaigns and don't get me started on the WO 170 Italian campaign diaries, anyone would think they were on a holiday and never did any fighting looking at the thickness of some of those (sometimes very thick). Anyway....

On average for a diary covering 12 months I would say to expect between 200 and 400 various pages inc appendices as a rough guide.

 

Some of the 4th Ind Div units clearly weren't short of bog roll, because they filed copies of virtually everything they were ever given as appendices.

That 1 Fd Regt R.A. diarist I transcribed from last year seemed to think he was expected to double as a journalist and covered the actions of every other unit his own mob interacted with: fantastic stuff.

 

Just received my first batch of war diaries from Drew5233, excellent service and much appreciated! Thank you!

 

Got a nice scrap of ephemera in my last batch:

 

Hi Andy
Have been busy going through my Dads 156Bty 52LAA Regt and Battery Diaries. Fantastic stuff I can trace his movements from Home 1939 to BEF, Dunkirk, to Crete 1941.

Now for the rest 1941- 46.

Thank you for your prompt service.
cheers
Richard.

 

Hi Andy
I received the diaries in quick time, especially considering I'm in Australia - thanks for your great work. You provide excellent and exceptional value and service, which I really appreciate.

I'll pm you for some more diaries for which I'll need help in identifying exactly what I need.
Cheers
Trevor

 

Drew can you access navy files?

 

Depends on what the are etc. Drop me a message and we can take it from there

 

Drew is that the same as 'start a conversation?'

 

Yes-Hold fire and I'll message you.

 

Hi Andy
Thank you for my latest disc of my fathers 52LAA (East Lancs) Regt War Diaries. once again superb prompt service.

Thank you for all your help.

 

Hi Andy

155Bty 52LAA Regt Disc arrived at lunchtime.

Thank you very much for the prompt service.

cheers

Richard

 

Thanks Richard - I'm visiting Kew this Thursday if anyone wants anything

 

Cornetto.

 

What's the Ref for that?

 

Which WO files refer to the Iceland garrison?

Glad you are going back on Thursday by the way. Maternal grandmother is still with us and compos mentis. Grandfather has been gone ten years now, but she'll be very interested in anything I can dig up about his time with 25 Fd Regt.

 

WO 176

 

Please tell me you had to look that up.