Just a thought. It seems to me there have been a few threads recently where members have reported records they have been searching for have been lost for some reason. RN and Guards seem to be the most frequent. I am aware many service records were lost due to bombing during WW2, particularly RN records I think, but are members aware of any circumstances that may have resulted in records being lost or perhaps mislaid (eg in transfer between different agencies). It might be useful to collate reasons whereby some service records are not currently available. Never know – perhaps something might crop up that reveals an overlooked or even ‘secret’ location for difficult to find files.
Mike - Fires are often blamed for lost record as in thee 1914-18 war - the depot holding many of those records was devastated by fire and is often quoted as the main reason for the loss Cheers
The Guards Regiments hold onto their own records.A query regarding a WW2 casualty im researching proved fruitfull when i received a reply giving me useful information.
My father severved with the Coldsteam Guards 2nd Battalion,1938-1946 I sent to Birdcage Walk for his Service Records only to recieve some copys of an application form by him for money to Soldiers Sailors Airmen Familes Assosiation to help my mother though a lean time after givining birth to me & her poor health at the time these are the only documents held. I contacted Reg Headquarters to be told they have no Service Records or any Idea what could have happend to them. How many other records have gone missing I wonder ?? or cannot they be realy botherd to look....
It's no consolation to those who receive nothing or next to nothing, but in the time that I've dealt with guards' queries i have only heard of 2 cases of missing records, 2 brought up here in the one week in fact. The positive side about Guards WW1 records for instance is that they were retained by the regiments and were not subject to the destruction by fire already mentioned, nor indeed water damage if salvaged. I too have been disappointed with replies: the records for two RFA brothers who died in May 1915 who I was researching were destroyed. This was particularly disappointing, there being no 'memento' at all left in possession of the family. Part of my grandfather's Guards WW1 records were held by Wellington Barracks and part were transferred to Foots Cray upon his re-enlistment in WW2; not their fault but I will need to re-apply to MOD this time for a copy of those. I would say on the whole, there is a better chance of getting guards records, and added to that the turn-around time is much quicker than MOD. It should be highlighted that the folks working at Wellington Barracks are either part-time volunteer archivists (usually former Guardsmen themselves willing to help with research) or staff who have to deal with more pressing matters, ie the day to day running of an active unit. I wouldn't think it's a matter of not being bothered, sadly more that time and resources do not allow them to check 1000's of files in the off chance something has been mis-filed. There has however, been a case mentioned here on the forum of missing records which subsequently turned up ... having apparently been forwarded to another organisation in the past. I believe that was on a thread started by Verrieres.
