Hi Folks, I have a question about WW2 Service Records (and maybe service records in general) and how they relate to members of the special forces. During WW2 my father most likely served with the SAS and later the SBS in North Africa, Italy, the Aegean, Yugoslavia and Romania. I say “most likely” because his service record gives very few clues to actually support this. Apart from several postings to and from X lists (which, according to a very helpful thread from another forum, relate to periods in transit) he seems to have spent several months with Royal Engineer field companies and a REME workshop. Also, the fact that the entries in his service record are not in chronological order and sometimes conflict with one another does not help when it comes to me interpreting events correctly. Given this, you might ask whether my father was telling the truth or not. I’ve thought that myself, however, there are a couple of entries on his service record that do mention the Special Boat Service and he is mentioned by name several times in document WO 170/7529 held at the UK National Archives. So, my question is: was it (or is it) common practice for members of special forces units to have their records deliberately falsified with more “generic” (no offence to RE or REME intended!) entries? Does anybody have any experience of this? Thanks!
Bob, A very interesting and intriguing question and one that I do not know the answer. I have however found a discussion group where a similar question was asked and it may point you in the right direction. Long Range Desert Group & 1 SAS Service Records - General - Family History & Genealogy Message Board - Ancestry.com.au Regards Tom
Interesting, thanks for forwarding the link. I like the reference to army "records" being in quotes! Cheers, Bob
Bob, It appears that the records of these soldiers are often difficult to decypher! The very best of luck trying to track down the truth. Regards Tom
