Arthur Lionel Britnell WW2

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Dorothy McQuillen, Sep 25, 2019.

  1. Dorothy McQuillen

    Dorothy McQuillen New Member

    My father has long past away, and since doing my genealogy I wish I had asked more questions when I was younger! I really would like to try to find out what he did in WWII but have precious little detail to go on. His name was Arthur Lionel Britnell - married to Flora Ida Zanetti - they lived in Hornsey area of London and i think I remember him telling me he was a cook in the war. I also remember him telling me about burying items from churches so the advancing Germans couldnt get them - that might have been in France. No idea about anything else. I have tried searches for his name and not found anything. Would anyone have any advice please. Many thanks.
     
  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Hello Dorothy .
    Do you have a date of birth or any other details you could share? There a couple of WW1 related A L Britnell `s. Coincidence our local paper has a columnist called Dorothy McQuillen :)

    Kyle
     
  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Dorothy, welcome and good luck with your research, only one place to start and that is to send away for his official service records:
    Get a copy of military service records

    That will give you the basis for further research.
     
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  4. Dorothy McQuillen

    Dorothy McQuillen New Member

    25th February 1908 in Headington in Oxfordshire Kyle (although it was registered as Higher Wycombe in Bucks). Occupation carpenter. I dont think I have enough information to ask for his records from the MOD as they wont search and I do not have any regimental details. It is WW2 by the way not WW1.
     
  5. CL1

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

    Dorothy you only require date of birth and death cert nothing else.You do not require his service number.
    follow the link below as also supplied by Tony this is the only place you will get his records do not be conned by the internet sites promising you his records for a payment.

    Get a copy of military service records

    regards
    Clive
     
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  6. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Hello and welcome!
    Yes, many get sucked in to military research after going down the genealogy route!

    You misunderstood the reference previously to " A L Britten's in WW1" as Mr Jinks was pointing out that there may be relatives (Albert and Edward Emanuel) sons of Amos and Jane Britnell at Woodside Terrace, Cadmore End, High Wycombe. If they are your family, then you might want to check on Ancestry or elsewhere for their WW1 Service details. They both died in WW1 and are on the CWGC Debt of Honour database.
    There are also other Britnells in Higher Wycombe area, so searching simply under "Britnell" on the CWGC website will bring all 15 up (7 WW1 and 8 WW2). Albert seems to have been born in Lewknor, presumably similar for his brother, if they are "yours".

    Hope that helps, meantime get your father's Service Records as per the link above. It may take some time, but whilst waiting try and obtain as much details from other family about him.

    PS: If the sons of Amos are yours, then the Church in Cadmore has a Memorial St Mary Le Moor Church - WW1 which includes Albert (dying in 1921 he must have been severely wounded).
     
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