Before 9am is going to be quite a bit too early for me, as I plan to drive in after the traffic dies down (I live right on the M25, near the Dartford tunnel). Maybe next time, or I might bump into you anyway, I know what you look like from some of the pictures you have posted. As far as what I want to copy is concerned, it's anything to do with the 7th Batt, Ox & bucks, from 1942-1945 or the 1st buckinghamshire batt (TA) 1939-1942. Its research for a book I'm fooling myself I will write one day, I have only done the intro, and a rough layout of how I am going to chapter it, with a online webbing tool (by the way anyone know of a good tool I can download for this, as the one I used disappears after using it, and printing it off). I have got papers & books everywhere now, filling up every corner of my house, and my computer is packed with bits & bob's, why do I want to go to Kew to get some more? I must be mad. Tell me Andy what are you looking into at the moment, anything interesting, you must be able to get through some heavy copying with 4 days (is it your job). Cheers Adam
Looks like I won't be able to make either Wednesday or Thursday now. Mercedes can't get the part needed for my car until mid-week. Lee
Hello Lee What are you researching? Adam Principally everything and anything to do with psychological warfare/PSYOPS, black propaganda and aerial propaganda leaflets from WWI to the present. (currently focusing on Allied leaflets dropped in North Africa and the Med; Suez Crisis, EOKA in Cyprus; the Malayan Emergency; Aden) Secondary interests include, Hess's flight to Britain, German forging of British banknotes, ancient and modern codebreaking, deception schemes, the Mau Mau in Kenya, PIRA funding in the USA through NORAID. Not to mention my own family history, two great uncles killed in the Battle of the Somme, 225 Fld Coy RE in WWII, and now 49 and 617 Squadrons RAF. Plus of course work I'm doing for others here. All should keep me busy for the next 20 - 25 years at least Lee
That's enough to keep anyone busy Lee. About your 2 great uncles, are the national archives a place where you can find documents containing their names, why I ask is because I have got my grandfathers records from glasgow, in which they say he went AWOL a couple of times, and he also spent time in hospital, but I cant find any details on these. I have spent time in the reading room, at the imperial war museum, looking at the chronicles & journals, plus been to the regimental barracks at slades park, but still nothing. Thanks Adam
They do all the 'gay' type coffee's I'll let you know what day next July I'll be there - mines a large cappucino, cinnamon and trim thanks :p And if they don't do the 'gay' types of coffee - it'll be an earl grey with trim (no sugar I'm sweet enough)
That's enough to keep anyone busy Lee. About your 2 great uncles, are the national archives a place where you can find documents containing their names, why I ask is because I have got my grandfathers records from glasgow, in which they say he went AWOL a couple of times, and he also spent time in hospital, but I cant find any details on these. I have spent time in the reading room, at the imperial war museum, looking at the chronicles & journals, plus been to the regimental barracks at slades park, but still nothing. Thanks Adam Adam, the national archives have First World War service records available. Well the ones that survived the Second World War that is. Ironically many were destroyed in Blitz. Some of those were later reconstructed for pension reasons but don't the same level of information as the originals. Service records from 1920 (I think) onwards are not available at the archives and can only be accessed by next of kin through Glasgow. Although I understand there is a consultation going on to make Second World War service records publically available. Not sure if it is possible to obtain more information from Glasgow about your grandfather's AWOLs. Might be worth enquiring. Lee
I've read that WW2 Service Records will become available in 2020. Wonder who will get that nice little earner and what will it cost?
Any question that intrigued me, in view the images/photos of the old files that sent me Brian months ago, in ocassions uses a thin paper, who transparent the next page of the documents; the elevate number of sheets; delicate elements;..... Is possible form a team to make easiest this task? Jan.
A bit late but the National Archives are closed tomorrow (The reason I came home tonight !). I must buy one of those flats across the road. And......... On the 15 Sept. They are holding a talk on the Battle of Britain and the records to do with the battle that are kept in the National Archives.
One good tip that Drew should add is have a mate who you can text to look up reference numbers for files.
I've read that WW2 Service Records will become available in 2020. Wonder who will get that nice little earner and what will it cost? That's interesting - out of curiosity where did you read that?
Well I only managed to copy 1 file (wo 167/804), but I'm happy with that, I know how it works now, and I have a readers card that's going to last me 3 years, can't be bad. Thanks for your pointers Andy, the best one I thought was, rather than having to put a blank piece of paper under every single document, if you gently lift the piece of paper in the file to be photographed, away from the sheet below it, and let it drop, it doesn't show through the text below (saves a hell of a lot of time). Cheers Adam
Hi Adam...Glad to see you survived your first visit, look forward to seeing you there again. Tell me you gave the file back so I can sleep at night Regards Andy
You can sleep soundly Andy, I took yours back, as well as the three others from my locker, even though I didn't really have a chance to look at them properly. I am going to have to get WO167/804 out again next time I go, because right at the back of the file there were 2 or 3 (might be more) maps that I layed on 2 pieces of A4, they where drawn on tracing paper, I looked on my camera when I got home and they wasn't there, I realized why then, it was because I was holding them down while my fathering law pushed what I thought was the button. I wont be taking him again, he was driving me up the wall, by getting his head in my light (or thumb in my picture), trying to read every page, if fact about the only thing he wasn't doing, was running around and skidding on his knees.
I have all the maps if you want me to email them to you Adam....I did warn you there was a treat in the back of the diary waiting for you Cheers for handing it back, I'll sleep tonight now knowing my house won't be raided looking for a missing diary
Thanks Andy, your a diamond, you are right they looked very interesting, outlining the position of company's etc, from what I can remember. I have sent my email to your private message. Adam
Owen, I usually find a few beers has much the same effect. It is nice to see members meeting up at Kew for a bit of joint research though. My last trip to Kew I met up with (by arrangement) a Dr of Archaeology from Oz via Japan who was doing some LCT research and then going to Glasgow for more records! Mike
Look after those files once snaped......I have just realised although I had suspected for a few days - I've lost around a days worth of work at Kew They have disappeared into War Diary Heaven
