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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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