Hi everyone, first post on here as I embark on trying to source the information on my Grandfathers military history. He didn’t speak much about it but he was British, served in Africa and landed in Sicily before being wounded and ending up here in Australia. Attached is an image of him on his wedding day in uniform. Anyone recognise the uniform? Also when researching is there any places you would recommend starting? thank you Neil
Neil. Get his Service Record through www.gov.uk and typing in 'How do I obtain a Service Record'. Regards Frank
Hi Neil Welcome The very first place to start and really the only place is to obtain his service records from the MOD - the forms are in this link Request records of deceased service personnel do not be duped by saucy subscription site with tantalising ads as they can only show you public accessible details and not his 'official' service record. Once you have his records they will tell you which unit he was with, the dates he was with them and where they were, following this its possible to follow his time by obtaining copies of the relevant war diaries for those particular units. TD If you can provide his name or other details I am sure members can help out finding details about his wounding, and that might lead to finding one of his units
Hi, Welcome to the forum. I’d echo the above comments from TD and Frank. It’s impossible to glean any unit information from the photo as the cap badge on his beret isn’t visible. However the 3 (red) stripes on his right sleeve cuff are overseas service chevrons indicating 3 years overseas wartime service. Steve
There is a patch/badge on his upper arm, maybe indicating his brigade/division etc, but as the photo is sepia you can't tell the colour
As you say he was wounded his name should be on the casualty lists that sone members are able to look at.
I've tried multiple tweaks to try to make the flash on his right shoulder visible, but the quality just isn't there. If you have a sharper original and a magnifying glass and can identify even a few consecutive letters, it might help. Regardless, his service records are your best option.
Several members here have FMP access which if we know his name and if possible his number then they can search for his details on the casualty lists, be nice to have some idea where he was geographically and chronologically wounded to alleviate any problems with same name syndrome Hope Neil responds TD
Thank you so much everyone. Unfortunately I am still waiting on MOD for the service number. some of his details though are; Ronald Manning (no middle name) DOB: 25/02/1923 Birth Town: Bedale, County of Yorks In regards to any dates we currently have, I have some hand written notes that he had made 1941 UK 1941 North Africa 1943 Sicily (we believe this is where he was wounded) 1945 Sydney 1946 Decommissioned I have attached an image that shows him (second from the left) in uniform and the note states "HMS Daedulus, near Gosport 1941) Thank you again everyone, this has been really helpful. Neil Leo
If you are saying this because you are applying for his service records then you do not need his service number to apply - its helpful but not essential The form states * SERVICE NUMBER AND/OR DATE OF BIRTH MUST BE INCLUDED TD
Hi, Mention of HMS Daedalus and having sight of the photo suggests to me he was not a soldier but that he served as a Royal Marine as the cap badge looks to be RM. If that is correct you need to direct your application to Royal Navy. Steve PS 41 Commando RM took part in the invasion of Sicily. If he was RM he won’t feature on the Army casualty list on Findmypast.