My first posting on this forum, I hope it is up to standard. I have a typed copy of my fathers record and I would be very interested to find out more about the locations etc that he was posted. He was a Territorial Royal Fusilier at the outbreak of war and was posted to various searchlight regiments. 'Embodied' Sept.'39 and I understand shipped to France. He was evacuated from Dunkirk and at some point with the Royal Artillery 527 searchlight battery. He was also at some point at Orkney. This info was from him years ago. I realise this is all very vague but my father is no longer alive and the records from the MOD give no indication of whereabouts. My question is - armed with the units, is my next step to seek out the war diaries for these regiments and units? I am very familiar with WWI research and diares etc and I realise that these are held at Kew so is this my may forward? Sorry for the long intro and thanks for any advice Brian
Welcome to the forum Brian. The photocopied version of the original service record may include the information that you require, or at least some of it. Have you asked Glasgow for this? If not, you may find it better to go down this route first. I understand from a thread earlier this week that you may have to pay another £30.00 for the photocopy, so you may wish to, both, make a telephone enquiry with Glasgow regarding the availability of the original record and ask them why they did not send this in the first place. If having done this you decide to obtain the photocopy make sure your application states that this is what you are after. I have heard that a forceful complaint can leverage the photocopied record without further payment! Best, Steve.
Brian the war diaries are a good option. WWII diaries can be a little more difficult to locate than WWI ones. Hence my special war diary sear engine here Arcre - War Diary Search Engine Give me a shout if you need any help finding them. Lee
Thanks for the welcome and response to my query. I have taken the decision to apply again for my fathers record having spoken with a lady in Glasgow who assures me that the system has been improved and I will get hotocopies of all of the record. Watch this space as they say, I will report back when the record arrives. Thanks Lee, I will give consideration to the war diaries. I am OK with WWI both British and French but WWII is a new era! Thanks again to all Brian
Hi Brian and welcome to the forum. Whats your source of info regarding the searchlight battery he was with at Dunkirk? I have all of the Searchlight Regiments and their Battery war diaries for the units that served in France (21 Diaries) and 527 is not one of them. Regards Andy
Hi Brian can you post what documents you have, so we can see what you mean please? Cant find that battery in here either?- RA 1939-45 Searchlight Index regards Robert
As far as i can see there's only 2 diaries for 527 SL Bty. wo166/3360 Feb-Dec 41 wo166/7877 Jan 42 Rob
Hi Brian can you post what documents you have, so we can see what you mean please? Cant find that battery in here either?- RA 1939-45 Searchlight Index regards Robert Hi All OK, here is what I have so far which is all I got from the MOD in 2001. I have applied again, apparently they are now better(?) Enlisted into Royal Fusiliers Territorial Army and posted to 457/69 searchlight regiment 18.05.39 To 456 Searchlight Regiment 21.08.39 Embodied 02.09.39 Posted 457 Company 29.09.39 Posted 527 Searchlight Batt (R.A.) 19.11.40 Attached to 528 Searchlight Batt 25.09.41 ceased to be attached to above unit 30.09.41 (5 days!) Posted to 535/57 earchlight Regt 03.03.42 Attached to 46th Searchlight Regt 10.04.42 Posted to 7th Infantry training centre 02.03.44 beyond this was various training centres. The frustrating thing about this "record" is that it tells the reader nothing of whereabouts at what point. I believe at some point early on he was in France and at some point prior to 1944 he was in the Orkney Islands but thats about it. I am hoping the latest reques from the MOD is more explicit than the last but I guess my best option is diaries? Thanks for all the advice and welcome, its much appreciated Brian
