Hello, i hope your all well? I am trying to find some information on what my great granddad done while he was in the army during WW2 (or there after) I have tried and failed everywhere i have looked. Can anyone recommend some sites to look at that i perhaps haven't thought of? Henry Watkins Parachute Regiment 7896908 (i am assuming this is correct as i have it written down on a tatty bit of paper) Thank you
Hi, You will be very lucky to find anything about WW2 service personnel on the internet for free. WW2 era service records are not in the public domain and you need to apply to UK MOD and pay £30 - via this link Get a copy of military service records Good Luck Steve EDIT TO ADD His 7 figure army service number suggests he originally enlisted in Royal Armoured Corps - see below topic Army Number Block Allocations
Hi thanks for the reply. It was more what he had been up to rather than his records, I have been able to access some diary's and such when searching for other relatives, maybe i have been lucky in finding them?. In regards to his records i have applied for them already. Thanks again
As far as i'm aware he was in the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron, so that would tie in with what paradata says
Unless you already have a definitive list of his unit postings you need to have sight of his service record as all his postings/movements will be recorded there. Once you know his postings you can look for the unit war diary and discover their whereabouts and activities. Steve
If you are not 101% sure then I suggest that you use his date of birth instead of his service number (you can use either) when applying for records, it is essential to use the correct information.
If he was in 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron it may be worth checking this website: https://vriendenairbornemuseum.nl/public/docs/Bridge_Too_Far_Inventory_List.pdf Which on a quick look is the research material for a once famous book written by Cornelius Ryan. It has a section on the unit and the correspondence retained at a US university. There is a book about them, alas Facebook does not allow copy & paste so view: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1971688963054688/permalink/2834367236786852/ Possible ISBN: 950609609 published in 1978, within 'Pegasus journal' as an article. A memoir of a member was electronically published in 2015: 'With Recce At Arnhem : The Recollections Of Trooper Des Evans - A 1st Airborne Division Veteran'. See: With Recce At Arnhem : The Recollections Of Trooper Des Evans - A 1st Airborne Division Veteran [EPUB] [7ed66e539o70] There is more, just a few pointers!