One would think they should be able to do a secondary confirmation from information in his file such as birth date, next of kin at the time of enlistment, or address but who knows. One question though, did you ask him for his Army Number? Most things I've read indicate it is one thing a soldier never forgets, although ones memory can be tricky at 86 I'm certain. Does he have any of his old Army docs such as a paybook around? What Medals does MoD say he is entitled to? Wayne
One would think they should be able to do a secondary confirmation from information in his file such as birth date, next of kin at the time of enlistment, or address but who knows. I have supplied his date of birth in the letter, so hopefully they will be able to check it out Did you ask him for his Army Number? Most things I've read indicate it is one thing a soldier never forgets, although ones memory can be tricky at 86 I'm certain. He didn't know his number but I went looking on Forces War Records site and found the only H Rose listed as part of the Army Catering Corps during WW2. Does he have any of his old Army docs such as a paybook around? Sadly he does not What Medals does MoD say he is entitled to? 39-45 Star, 39-45 Medal, Africa Star, Italy Star and Defence Medal Thank you for the reply
Here's the requirements to receive those medals. I assume it is the Africa and Italy Star that are the one's being questioned? The other 3 are pretty straight forward. 1939 - 1945 Star - Army - awarded for six months service in an operational command during the period 3 September 1939 to 2 September 1945. War Medal 1939 - 1945 - Awarded to members who served full-time in operational or non-operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. The qualifying period is 28 days. Africa Star - Army - entry into the operational area on the posted strength of a unit or formation in the area between the Suez Canal and the Straits of Gibraltar between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943 or for service in operations in Abyssinia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Malta or Syria Italy Star - Army - for entry into operational service on land in Sicily or Italy during the campaign there, between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945. Defence Medal - serving for six months in specified non-operational areas subjected to enemy air attack or closely threatened; • who served for six months at any time between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 in the Northern Territory north of 14° 30' South and the Torres Strait Islands; • serving for 12 months non-specified non-operational service overseas from or outside Australia
Hi, Thanks for the medal info. I wasn't completly sure on the Defence Medal. I thought it was something to do with the home guard. Apparently not Yes, the Africa and India ones just don't sound right at all. He has never been to Italy or Africa (although he does tell me he has been down the Suez Canal on way to India).
Hey all, We've had a reply to the latest letter. They've done some checking and have come up with an alternative service number: 14078192. They have asked us if we have any way of confirming this number. My grandfather doesn't recognise it. Is their any records I could check this against? I think they wish to honor his wish for a copy of his service record, but I am not sure. They are also stating that he did not enlist until 16th October 1945. As the war ended in India on 2nd September 1945 they are saying he does not qualify for any WW2 medals. Naturally a bit disappointing, but at least it is an answer. If anyone could help / advise with the service number they have supplied it would be fantastic. Thank you
A Rose the Alternate number doesn't make too much sense either as the new numbers 140***** for General Service Corps started in January 1942....so that doesn't jive with the 6th October '45 enlistment date..... Cheers
Hi A Rose, Re your Royal Corps of Signals Number. Assuming these were issued in sequence I have Signalmen with numbers 2366796 and 2366867 on a list of prisoners in June 1942 during the Gazalla line retreat in North Africa. Seems to confirm the 236 number is not right. Good hunting. mel
Hi A Rose I would advise you treat any information from websites like war-records.co.uk with a high degree of caution. I went down a similar road to you in my early research of my relatives from WW2, and found that any details you put into that website would return a high number of promising returns/links. It was only after i paid the subscription that i found practically all these were irrelevant or of any use, and any information that was any good I could of acquired free from sites like the CWGC. I would also be slightly wary of the service number supplied by the medals office as well, unless you can confirm it via another independent source. It could be that they have given you a number that is a ‘best match’ to the details you supplied. You could in essence be requesting another man’s medals unless you are 100% sure. Unless you have any other documentation regarding his service number, then as RemeDesertRat suggested, the best way forward could be to request his service records. regards
