Any Info or Help

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Ka7en, Jun 25, 2022.

  1. Ka7en

    Ka7en Member

    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) o_O

    Thank you
     
  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    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
     
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  3. Ka7en

    Ka7en Member

    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
     
  4. Ka7en

    Ka7en Member


    Oooh thanks for that ill have a look now.
     
  5. Ka7en

    Ka7en Member

    As far as i'm aware he was in the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron, so that would tie in with what paradata says :)
     
  6. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    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
     
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  7. Ka7en

    Ka7en Member

    Thanks Steve, i will just wait until it comes through, to save on the "guess work"

    thanks again
     
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  8. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    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.
     
  9. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    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!
     

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