Edward Thomas Weston Grenadier Gaurd was my dad. I never saw him at all from when I was about 5 years old. He was a career soldier. Joined around 1930 and was still in in the early 70s. He served around 40 years I think. Is there anybody on this site who may have served with him or knew him. I know he received the MBE ? I have tried everywhere to find out about him, even the Grenadiers. Thank you in advance for any info you can supply. Thika. [Tony Weston.]
Tony. I will dig out his BEM - rather than MBE, citation and get it to you. Do you know which Battalion on the GREN GDS he served in during the war. If I saw his medals, I could probably narrow it down. Regards FdeP
Welcome to the forum Tony When you say you tried Grenadiers for help, did you apply for a copy of his service records, if he is now deceased, that is? See post 2 on this link http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/brigade-guards/37127-researching-guardsmen-foot-guards.html Regards Diane
Here is copy of BEM citation The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Weston, Edward Thomas Rank: Company Quarter Master Service No: 4911888 Regiment: Grenadier Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Birthday Honours Award: British Empire Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 10 June 1961 Date 1961 Catalogue reference WO 373/168
Hi Dianne, I didn't apply for my dads service records but the Grenadiers did a bit of research and told me he served from 1930 until 1939 and they had nothing further on him. I found his number in the lists you have done. But what baffles me is, he is under the South Staffordshire Regiment. It's a bit of a story but the last time I saw my dad was when I was about 5 years old. He was divorced from my mum. She wouldn't divulge much about him. Both have passed away now. I'm lead to believe my dad was about 92 years old when he passed away. I know he married again and had another family. He came from Wolverhampton.
Hi Tony, I'd suggest you try and do a search for a death certificate. Without a copy of that, RHQ won't release the full records - and without the records, as you probably are already aware, you aren't going to get too far trying to work out specifics of his time in service. Bit odd they said his service was only up to 1939, given that the citation states 30 yrs service rendered by 1961. Some members here have access to genealogy sites, so if you don't have a subscription to one, perhaps they could help out with looking up vol. and pg nos in order to apply for a copy through General Register Office. I've been wondering about his number myself now that I see the circumstances properly ... While it's not at all unusual for transfer between regiments, his BEM is post war ie, post 1950 when the army nos. changed to service nos. Bit odd, but the number quoted does fall within S. Staffs block allocation http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/8564-army-number-block-allocations.htm From the same thread: (pre-1920 Army -they were regimental numbers , 1920-1950 army - they were Army numbers and post 1950 - they became Service numbers) and approx dates for post 1950 to present (army number system scrapped in March(?) 1950 and replaced with 8 digit numbers beginning at 22000000 - issued in order of enlistment and the number stays throughout service)... Perhaps there's another explanation I'm unaware of, or that's simply the number that 'stuck with him'. They tell me some things are never forgotten, my Dad can still rhyme off his Mick number, but my grandfather was probably never even aware he'd been issued an Army no. while in the Reserves post WW1.
Thank you for your help Diane. We are lead to believe he served 40 odd years in the end. Though I didn't "know" him I'm very proud of my dad. I always have been from when I started to learn about life. I know he had a few medals. I have a couple of photo's of him. I will post them another time as it's my bedtime now. 00.45hrs. Catch you tomorrow. Good night have a nice day. Tony.
Wow!! edward Thomas Weston is my dad too!! im catherine Weston aged 48 pls contact me asap as i can answer alot of your questions, please be ready for lots of news!! i wont say too much till you reply. I live in north NSW Australia & would love to make contact as i can fill some empty holes for you!! This is amazing i was looking up his past military records and came across this!!!!
Wow!! edward Thomas Weston is my dad too!! im catherine Weston aged 48 pls contact me asap as i can answer alot of your questions, please be ready for lots of news!! i wont say too much till you reply. I live in north NSW Australia & would love to make contact as i can fill some empty holes for you!! This is amazing i was looking up his past military records and came across this!!!! Hello katiesearch, Tony hasn't been on the forum since 14 January 2012. I therefore suggest you try to contact him via one or more of the other medium he refers to in his profile... Click on his handle 'thika', scroll down to the panel that includes 'Contact Info', click on 'Contact Info' and you will find an e-mail and Skype link there, as well as the 'private message' link - the latter which may/should put a message through to his e-mail (I get them this way on my Blackberry). I hope all goes well and happily if and when you contact him. Best, Steve.
hello steve, many thanks for your quick responce & advise, i have sent a private msg as well but i will try to look through local phone books as we are in the same state. might get lucky there too. this has been a truely amazing happening!!! cant wait to contact tony!!! thanks steve will keep you updated too with another great servicemans story
Hi Kate, We have spoken to each other this morning. What a surprise it was. I thought you were a Lady ringing to book the local Community Centre! I'm the Council volunteer booking officer. I thought you were having a lend of me. I would like to thank all those who have helped me on this site. Without you I probably would have still been banging my head against a brick wall. I belong to a few sites including ServicePals where I spend much of my time.[ as a MOD] Through them I have made contact with some of my mates I served with in the RAOC. So it does go to proove that ex Mlitary sites sure find long lost mates and this one has found me family I didn't know I had. Thank you. You don't know how happy I am. It's better than Christmas. I will return. Take care all of you. Thika.B)
