I have lived in Sapin since 1989. My wife died here in 2005. My mother died in the UK -somewhere- in the 1990's. I have been trying to obtain my father's Service record but cannot produce any deathe certificate for my mother. My father was 4685896 Sergeant Hoyle A. R. commeratated at El Al memorial -he was KIA 17th June 1941. CWGC quickly provided data--the Army Records Office manage to prevaricate so long that now they are privitised and want a FEE plus have a long delay. I even thought that my 13 years in the RAF might be of some use via the RAFBF but they did even reply. Ihave NO family nearer than New Zealandd and will never be able to visit them so I presume I have to give up---HOWEVER there is ONE item that members may be able to help with.. Why is my father's service number 4685896> Could he have joined the RTR in 1934 while a member of a TA regiment? Which one? Any assistance would be gratefully accepted.
I have lived in Sapin since 1989. My wife died here in 2005. My mother died in the UK -somewhere- in the 1990's. I have been trying to obtain my father's Service record but cannot produce any deathe certificate for my mother. Death certificate copies can be obtained and posted to any country from the GRO website: General Register Office (GRO) - Official information on births, marriages and deaths What is your Mum's name I can search ancestry for details. Mark
Since last posting anything I was diverted by revisiting Malta for the first time in 54 years! The amount of local WW2 history books is amazing. Unfortunately after 2 great days I ended up in intensive care and eventually returned to Spain. I found a website that claimed to show all allocated service numbers by regiment=however my fathers number -shown as Leicester Regt. was rejected by their webmaster-saying he had not [no surprise] been a memeber. I STILL feel the Green Howards TA or KOYLI is much more likely since he originally enlisted in Leeds. My mother's name at death was Zillah Morrison and she died in Berkshire-1996. I am stuck with a TOTAL ban on air travel so cannot visit the UK and the new 'Army Records' options of much money as well as possibly 6 months delay has convinced me I will never get details of my father's service. A good friend, Raymond Atkinson is not only one of my father's troops but -by being in Tobruk during Operation Battleaxe -then captured at Tobruk is now the oldest member of the 7th[he was my babysitter in 1936 at Catterick!!!].He has provided a couple of personal reminiscences My favourite is -despite being my babysitter--when as a L/C being on Guard duty, my father [Sgt] inspected the 2lbr shells held in the guardroom and charged Raymond because the rounds were NOT -as required-POLISHED!!! The cost of £400 plus for the may 1940 war diary of the 7th RTR I find outragous however. as a GOM, I recognise that 'THEY' must make profits. Many thanks for trying to assist.
4685896 Fits for KOYLI. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/8564-army-number-block-allocations.html The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 4680001 - 4736000
Robert as your father was killed in the war, all you require by way of proof of death to accompany application of copy service records, is the CWGC certificate that you can print off from their site. CWGC :: Certificate Full cwgc details here: CWGC :: Casualty Details Serjeant ARTHUR HOYLE 4685896, 7th, Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C. who died age 31 on 17 June 1941 Husband of Zillah Hoyle, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Remembered with honour ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 21. This thread deals with Army number block allocations: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/8564-army-number-block-allocations.html His number 4685896 - The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 4680001 - 4736000 Please do try to persevere with getting the records. There are other options to get copies of war diaries. At least two forum members visit Kew regularly to photograph documents at about 10p a page. I don't know where you got the £400 quote from, but that sounds very off - was it from TNA, Kew, for the entire diary? Regards Diane
Many thanks Owen and Diane. Owen for reinstating my pasword --even tho' my kitten ate it and you hate cats[ I saw it in a local street and despite being a GOM picked it up !! Diane. I amanaged to get my father's info of death Ok and even a photo of the actual name from the memorial-it is my mothers data I cannot trace. The dairy quote £400+ was from National Archives. I do appreciate these responses. The KOYLI data especially.
Now Heres an odd reply!! there is a chance you may have come across the Stewart Brothers. There were 5 of them one being my father who is still alive (born 1936). His father being RSM John Stewart of the 7th RTR at the time of the seige of tobruk and he was captured there later. (1942) The Q
Robert, I don't know where you are in Spain, but if RAFBF can't help, have you tried to contact your nearest RBL Branch? I'm sure they will try and help cut through the red tape. I don't think you need your Mum's Death Cert, you are well into your 70's so it's a question of getting someone at RBL to explain the Request Form for you. It will cost £30, but if you submit it in the very near future (the sooner the better) you'll get a stock acknowledgement. You can then use the contact details to urge them to expedite because of your age and failing health. You obviously want this to pass on to your family in NZ before you go!! It took a year for my parents files to arrive, but you can't take a chance on waiting that long. Do keep persevering, it's not something you should give up on, it's an itch you need to scratch! You may find that some kind soul who frequents the National Archives at Kew who could offer to get you the records, even if it's just for the month of June 1941. Just don't expect the War Diary to have much, but as a Sergeant he may be mentioned.
Thank you Kevin for your advice. I made one visit to the ;ocal RBL however, while being welcomed to a social club who had plans to have parties at homes and on the beach I was not impressed. I also attempted to contact KOYLI Leeds Branch and was blocked by their insistance that I belong to Facebook!!! Each time I review this site I am amazed to see how much help is given to members-myself and many others.
Robert, I'll copy the June 1941 war diary for you at the National Archives. This is the reference to it: WO 169/1416, 7 Royal Tank Regiment 1941 Jan.- Dec. I'm there tomorrow but don't think I'll have enough time available, if not I can get within two weeks, (no fee). Once it's copied, you're be able to download the images directly from my website in a ZIP archive. All the best, Lee
Robert, it's not whether you are impressed with their activities! Just ask for the Branch Welfare Officer to contact you and I'm sure they will arrange to go through whatever procedures are required to guide you to obtaining the records you want. Please don't let yourself be deflected from what you want to do. Be as determined to get his records as your Dad was to serve. Did he give up when the going was a bit hard? No, so neither should you. You're doing this so the next generation of your family can be as proud of him as you so obviously are.
Robert, I have the 7 RTR war diary for 1940 and your father is listed as being in 'B' Company at the time that the Battalion travelled to France.
Robert, I have the 7 RTR war diary for 1940 and your father is listed as being in 'B' Company at the time that the Battalion travelled to France. Phil, Excellent news. Regards Tom
