MOD ALREADY TRANSFERRING WW2 SERVICE FILES TO UK NATIONAL ARCHIVES 2021

Good result John. I’ve got just the one pending, good ol’ Gun Buster’s. Only applied late August though, so doubtless a way to go yet.

 

This was the state of transfer August 2024 - eg year ago.

Found the list of files, topics and from where quite helpful in understanding what to expect beyond "Army OR records"

ATS/VAD/Overseas Enlistment/Deserters etc

Note date range
"Army OR’s discharges 1939-1971"

Information for transfer to The National Archives - GOV.UK

Ross

 

I'm not sure what's going on, but I've received three answers to Internal Review requests in the last 24hrs. Has anyone else heard anything regarding their Internal Review requests?

 

Negative here.

Do these answers tell you anything—any new information—or just:

"We have investigated ourselves thoroughly and to our relief have found ourselves to have acted fairly in all respects."

 

My apologies, I got over excited. I received a record of Service to a request I submitted just about 2 years ago.

I also received a positive reply to their decision not to release a record as it was all medical in confidence. I managed to overturn the initial decision, via an internal review.

I thought I'd received another internal review reply, unfortunately they'd raised two cases for the decision I managed to overturn.

This was their response.

"Upon conclusion of my investigation, I will be overturning the decision to close this file in full under section 41. The majority of the information within this record will now be released, with redactions under s41 applied to the medical information only."

Don't get me wrong, there were an awful amount of pages redacted but still received attestation papers, movements, etc.

 

According to a statistical bulletin published last September: which comments on the April to June 2025 quarter:

Freedom of Information statistics: April to June 2025 bulletin

"Important note on The National Archives

In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence began the transfer of historic service personnel records to The National Archives.

There are approximately 9.7 million records being transferred over 6 years.

The transfer of over three quarters of this collection (approx. 7.7 million records) resulted in a 308% increase in the volume of requests received by The National Archives in 2024 compared to 2022.

This had, until this quarter, impacted the overall percentage of their requests responded to 'in time' as well as the overall timeliness across all monitored bodies.

This quarter there has been a large improvement in the timeliness of the processing of these requests at The National Archives that has also improved timeliness for monitored bodies overall.

More information can be found on The National Archives website"

The minutes for the "User Advisory Group" were last published for March 2024. As for the other committees, minutes come in fits and starts and they are having a snooze at the moment.

"Timeliness" might equal "at pace" for Sir Humphrey rhetoric.

Large improvement ?

 

The way things are going, I am considering putting in multiple new requests under multiple friends' and family members' names in the hope that one of them wins the virtual lottery and nets me the file before my now long-overdue initial request.

 

Dear Mr 'Fortnum'

I apologise for the late delivery of this update regarding your internal review CAS-293003-F7B9H1.

I am writing to let you know that unfortunately, we have not yet been able to complete your requested internal review. This team is currently dealing with significant backlogs which means that our response times are slower than usual. I apologise for the delay with your request and I am now issuing a twenty working day extension.

Yours sincerely,

MOD Access Service Team

=======================================

I didn't explicitly request an internal review, I requested the records I applied for last October.

They're simply going to have to hire more monkeys, because the more delayed fulfillments there are, the more internal reviews will be requested, which probably means fewer staff working on fulfilling requests.

 

I also received a similiar response, yesterday, to one of my internal review requests. So after my encouraging blip, it would appear normal service has resumed

 

Fill your boots before February.

Your MoD Service Personnel Record Request

Dear Requester,

Thank you for your patience with your Freedom of Information request relating to a Ministry of Defence Service Personnel record.

We apologise that we have not yet been able to provide you with the information which you have requested. This department is currently handling an exceptionally high volume of cases, which has led to some delays in the service. This means that it has taken us longer than usual to respond to your request.

In light of the recent announcement of the implementation of fees for this service, which will come into effect on 2 February 2026, please be assured that you will not be charged for your current request.

You are not required to resubmit your request as your case remains active in our system and will be resolved as soon as possible.

We are continually improving our processes to ensure that all requests are resolved as quickly as possible. This includes offering a refined subset of documents, which include information of most interest to family members and can be delivered within a much shorter timeframe. If you are eligible, we will be in touch in the coming weeks to offer you this refined service.

Any future requests that you wish to make to our service following 2 February 2026 will incur a fee. To avoid the potential for being charged for a duplicate of your outstanding request, we kindly ask that you please do not resubmit your request.

More information on our fees can be found here: The National Archives /Legal/OurFees

Yours Sincerely,

Access Service Team

Government and Archives Leadership Directorate

The National Archives

 

Cheers Charley, for the update.

 

Combined (Standard) Service – MoD Service Personnel Records

• Search and Colour Copies up to and including A3 – £47.16 (N/A) + postage.
• Search and Digital Copies up to and including A3 – £42.25 (N/A)

I am, I confess, generally a bit sweary in person, but I do try to maintain a little more decorum on this forum.

At this point, I am finding that a considerable challenge.

 

Same here mate, chuck in the fee for a death certificate (if one is needed) and that's now bloody expensive.

 

Eyewatering at first but when you sit back and ponder...

A few years ago MoD charge for service record was £30 - it was only in the final years of Glasgow and Cranwell that this fee was waived.

So, although it pains a Scots man to say, with inflation about what we were paying.

The door is open to two alternatives depending on the volume of records you want - for one then Gary or Andy (better invest in rollerskates and a turbo for the camera)

For more than one then the partner commercial subscription is the way - unless they price gouge.

Ross

 

I'm assuming that, when applying for 'Closed' records, with valid death certificate, you'll have to use their service?

 

I assume this just applies to TNA. Will requests to the MoD remain free (for officers and Navy etc.)?

 

Good question, I'm hoping that is the case. My research has included individuals who have fallen under the MoD umbrella (post WW2 service, etc).

 

I can say for RAF Commissioned Personal Records the following.

If direct commission only eg Cranwell pre/post war then free via MoD RAF Disclosures - however staff reduced so wait time up. Current rules apply - proof of death unless in service, no 25+1 limitation.

If commissioned from enlisted service then two applications needed - to MoD RAF Disclosures for the part archived under Officer Personal Number - rules above apply. Application to TNA for OR/NCO service record - 115+1 years dob and/or 25+1 death rules.

At the moment it is assumed that 3rd party partners will only have Open records - no announcement on frequency or method of update as records become open.

"Oh what a tangled web.."

John - look at the dates for the TNA package - an extensive part of post war national service is included in transfer but 115+1 and 25+1 will diminish possible access.

"Army OR’s discharges 1939-1971"

Ross

 

Kew Non-Executive Directors held a meeting on 10th June 2025 and discussed as follows re MOD and Fees Order:

5. Ministry of Defence (MoD) Service Records: Service Transformation Project

5.1. The Board received a detailed report on the service transformation project of the MOD Access Service, which has seen a significant investment and change in approach to provide a compliant service while continuing to tackle the sizeable backlog of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests.

The update included the plan, risks and mitigations for aspects of the service.

5.2. Lines of questioning related to the high demand of the service, management of the backlog, service complaints and the relationship with and practice recommendations of the Information Commissioner.

Responses and assurances were provided.

5.3. The Board:

(i) Welcomed and noted the update;

(ii) Discussed the framing, risks and opportunities; and

(iii) Endorsed management’s approach and next steps.

6. Fees Order 2025-26

6.1. The Board was presented with the 2025-26 proposed Fees Order for endorsement and onward submission to ministers for approval.

This included a proposed overheads recovery rate, which was subject to agreement by the HMT.

The paper also noted that further work was underway on scenario modelling the potential impact (both financial and operational) of the different announcement timing options and on the Fees Order communication plan.

The National Archives’ Board Meeting – 10/07/2025 4

6.2. There was a discussion on the communications plan and announcement timings, including past practice here and elsewhere.

The Board welcomed sight of the modelling work to be able to advise fully on the timing of announcement.

6.3. The Board:

(i) Endorsed the Fees Order 2025-26 for onward approval by HMT and ministers;

(ii) Requested a paper on the communications plan, including management’s recommendation on the timing of the announcement at its next meeting; and

(iii) Noted that the Fees Order will be reviewed annually.

Action by: PM/GMR/LF/AB

 

If anyone wants a service record that is available for copying, I can do it for £10. I have seen other quotes at £25 - to be honest this is daylight robbery.