Absolutely stumped!

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by DanRowley2601, Jul 28, 2019.

  1. DanRowley2601

    DanRowley2601 New Member

    Hi all,

    This is my first (hopefully of many) post on here so I'll try to make it as simple as possible and hope that someone can help me.
    I've managed to do plenty of research on my family in WW1 and there is a great deal of information out there. However, in the few years since doing WW1 stuff, I've come to do some research on my Great Grandfather who served during WW2 and have been bombarded by useless websites that simply have me tied up in knots!

    My family know very little of my Great Grandfather - he died before my own dad was born and my dad knows little of his grandad.

    All we know:
    Name: Harry Rhodes
    Born: 4th July 1907 in Ashton Under Lyne (but lived in North Staffordshire from a baby)
    His service number was: 1749995
    Rank: Gunner
    Served with the Army from 1940

    Everything else that I know is speculation from my dad and uncle. I believe that he may have served with a Yorkshire regiment and ended up in Germany circa VE Day. That is all that we seem certain of!

    Please can anybody help me shed any light on Harry and what his role was in the war?

    Many thanks in advance

    Dan
     
  2. idler

    idler GeneralList

    The only way forward is to stump up £30 and request his actual, proper service records from the MoD, apllying as next of kin. They can work from a full name and date of birth, so as long as he used his own they should find him. You will also need a copy of his death certificate.
     
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  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    It will be, unless and until, you get hold of his records as recommended in the post above, here is the link:
    Get a copy of military service records

    His number shows that he did enlist with the Royal Artillery.
     
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  4. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    From the RA enlistment book he stayed with them being discharged 12th March 1946 having reached the age limit?

    Kyle
    GBM_ROYALART_1749001-1750000_00103.jpg
     
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  5. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Welcome to the forum, Dan.
     
  6. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi Kyle,

    The discharge age limit stamp wouldn’t be a contemporaneous entry with his discharge to Class Z Reserve 12th March 1946.

    The age limit for discharge from Class Z Reserve was attaining 45th birthday.

    Steve
     
  7. CL1

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

    Welcome Dan
    You are not the first to have been conned and confused by the internet by sites promising you info
    As suggested by members in their posts above send off for his services records via the official government site provided.
    Then when you receive them come back and members will help you go through them then when you know which unit he served with you can get copies of the war diaries.Re the war diaries a couple of members do a copy service at very reasonable rates.

    Regards
    Clive
     
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  8. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    HI

    The SL usually denotes entry into a Searchlight Regiment.or Battery.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     

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