How do I find out if someone served?

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Shiny, Aug 16, 2017.

  1. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Hi All,

    The title says it all really, are there any tips or tricks to finding out if a relative served during WW2?

    I know if they were a casualty they will be on the CWCG website but what about those who made it through? I can't just go randomly applying for service records for the 600 people on my family tree and see what comes back. Is there a way to see if someone served and if so what their regimental details were?

    Thanks a lot,

    Michael
     
  2. CL1

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

    Hello Michael im sure forum members will add more
    it might be an idea to review your relatives with a view to whittling down who might have served based on info you currently have.

    have a look at this
    "If all you have to begin with are scant details - perhaps just a name - one of the best places to start is the medal rolls"BBC - Family History - Researching Military Records


    regards
    Clive
     
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  3. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    For RAF the easy way is to search AIR78 at The National Archives (free download) for Other Ranks names and service numbers.

    For RAF Commissioned then Online London Gazette and Online Air Force Lists at National Library of Scotland for full names, dates of gradation and personal numbers.

    Navy and Army Lists for commissioned officers also at National Library of Scotland web site.

    Ross
     
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  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    If they survived they could also be found on:
    Casualty lists (I think FMP have these)
    POW lists (via Ancestry, IRC etc)
    Medal lists (eg Palestine after WW2)

    Put up whatever info you have and lets see what can be found

    TD
     
  5. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the help everyone.

    TD there are a couple of people I'm fairly sure served, they are:

    John Beck, born 1913 in North Shields, Tyne and Wear.
    Stanley Trewhitt, born 1914 in North Shields, Tyne and Wear.

    I have a photo of John in uniform, the cap badge looks like he was Highland Light Infantry.

    With Stanley I have been told he was in the army but that's all I know.

    I was also looking for just general advice. When I find a person with a year of birth around 1890 I automatically check things like the CWGC website and ancestry's medal indexes to see if there is anything for WW1 leaping out, I was wondering if there was anything similar I could be doing for WW2.

    Michael
     
  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Michael

    For instance with Stanley - we have his date of birth & death plus we can obtain his death certificate. If you applied for his services records and there were none then I believe Glasgow would return your documents and uncashed cheque - so its only cost the fee of a death certificate

    Name: Stanley Trewhitt
    Death Age: 73
    Birth Date: 16 Aug 1914
    Registration Date: Sep 1987
    Registration district: Central Cleveland
    Inferred County: Cleveland
    Volume: 3
    Page: 2235


    Name: Stanley Trewhitt
    Mother's Maiden Name: Harvey
    Registration Year: 1914
    Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep
    Registration district: Tynemouth
    Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District
    Inferred County: Northumberland
    Volume: 10b
    Page: 543

    As said if they during WW2 died, held POW etc then its easier to check. I also check there names in UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949 to see if they served in the Middle East after WW2. I also try and check out family trees and photos/stories as sometimes there may be pictures of them in uniform or mention in their family tree history. Its not 100% but better than nothing.

    TD
     
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  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    There is a 1937 Royal Artillery attestation for
    865651 Trewhitt, Stanley
     
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  8. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    Thank you both very much for the help.

    Tony, where have you found that? Not only so I can see it but also so I know where to look for others.

    Michael
     
  9. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Michael
    On Findmypast.
    Not a great deal of info but there is a note ‘64AA’ and ‘To REME 1/10/51’ and also ‘C.D./AA’. Presumably AA is anti aircraft?


    Also on Casualty List No 899 Dated 11 August 1942:
    Middle East / Western Desert / Missing
    2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry
    3323272 Beck Pte J 28/6/42


    Then Casualty List No 917 Dated 1 September 1942
    Middle East / Western Desert / Previously reported missing now not missing
    2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry
    3323272 Beck Pte J 28/6/42


    May or may not be your men.
     
  10. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Also found on Casualty List No 1504 Dated 21 July 1944

    North West Europe / Wounded
    10th Bn Highland Light Infantry
    3322011 Beck Pte JW Date not reported
     
  11. Shiny

    Shiny Well-Known Member

    That's brilliant, thanks very much for the help.

    I'll have to speak to my parents and see if they can remember ever hearing about him having been wounded.

    Michael
     

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