Ww2 Service Records To Be Destroyed?

Not sure which is the best forum for this post but I'll start here
I have just been reading a post on WW1 forum about a possibilty/proposal for WW2 service records being destroyed.
Has anyone here heard about this or has anyone got any more details
Thanks
Keith images/smilies/default/ohmy.gif

 

Well done Keith, as I was about to put something up about this.

The link to this thread on the GWF is:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...showtopic=39559

I am aiming to look into this next week; will come back with what I find out.

 

(Paul Reed @ Oct 14 2005, 08:24 PM) [post=40053]Well done Keith, as I was about to put something up about this.

The link to this thread on the GWF is:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...showtopic=39559

I am aiming to look into this next week; will come back with what I find out.
[/b]


Thanks Paul
My IT skills are not up to posting a link like that. I have emailed Lee as I think this subject if
correct needs as much publicity as possibe
Regards
Keith

PS How did you do the link? Sometimes I sem to be able to make it work other times not, like this one wjen I tried it.

 

hmmm, I would need to look into this a make a couple of phones calls, cant honestly see them doing this.

 

(Lee Wisener @ Oct 14 2005, 11:46 PM) [post=40068]hmmm, I would need to look into this a make a couple of phones calls, cant honestly see them doing this.
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Thanks Lee & Paul
This obviously needs further investigation! You are obviously both better qualified than I to know where to start, what questions to ask and who to ask.
If you have read the post on WW1 forum you will know that there already seems to be some questions being asked.
I know that to apply for a service record the place to write to is Glasgow, but presumably the records are kept elsewhere?
If there is any truth in this I find it hard to belive that records which are witheld from the public domaine for 70 years could be destroyed before they become available.
I for one am trying to obtain my Gt Uncles service records but not being the next of kin this is proving difficult.
Once you have any more info please let me know what I can do to help even if it is only acting as a liasion between the 2 WW forums
Regards
Keith

 

I e-mailed the National Archives about this and received the following reply:

Dear Mr Bull,

I am pleased to report that the story you have read is quite without foundation - WW2 soldiers records are not being destroyed.

As I say, if you can let me know where you read this we will take the necessary action.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely


I have replied asking them for the source of their knowledge that all is well.

 

While I hope that the information from the NA is accurate, there is one major point to note - they do not hold most WWII service records, which are still with the various service records branches of the Ministry of Defence.

I personally would be far happier to hear what the MoD has to say.

The whole records business is confused because each of the services seems to operate its own policy about turning records over to the NA so that we cannot say for sure that they have any intention of ever doing so and in some cases they will still be holding records for long serving regulars of WWI vintage who continued to serve during and after WWII.

Web addresses for MoD records:

http://www.mod.uk/contacts/army_records.htm
http://www.mod.uk/contacts/raf_records.htm
http://www.mod.uk/contacts/rm_records.htm
http://www.mod.uk/contacts/rn_records.htm

I have today submitted the following request to the MoD via an online Freedom of Information Act form:

"Rumours are currently circulating on the internet that the MoD intends to destroy individual service records for personnel serving during WWII. It has also been suggested that records may have already been turned over to private contractors for this purpose.

I request the following:

1. A statement of the current policy of the MoD in relation to the retention and disposal of service records, including policy regarding transfer of records to the National Archive.

2. Copies of all documentation relating to current policy and practice concerning the retention and disposal of such records."

You can access the online FOI request form at the link below and may I suggest that it would be a good idea for everyone to pile on the pressure by banging in a request. After all, sledgehammers do actually make a good job of cracking walnuts!

Link:
http://www.foi.mod.uk/otherinfo.asp

 

(angie999 @ Oct 17 2005, 11:48 AM) [post=40132]
You can access the online FOI request form at the link below and may I suggest that it would be a good idea for everyone to pile on the pressure by banging in a request. After all, sledgehammers do actually make a good job of cracking walnuts!

Link:
http://www.foi.mod.uk/otherinfo.asp
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Hi Angie
I have looked at the FOI form. Could you suggest some wording for the request. Should I ask about a specific record or a general " What are their future intentions regarding WW2 service records"

Thanks
Keith

 

(Keith Kendall @ Oct 17 2005, 01:15 PM) [post=40133]Hi Angie
I have looked at the FOI form. Could you suggest some wording for the request. Should I ask about a specific record or a general " What are their future intentions regarding WW2 service records"

[/b]


See my amended post, which was originally posted on the GW forum. When I copied it over to here, I somehow left out some of the text.

 

Thanks Angie
I thought I'd seen something from you about your enquiry but all this fliting between forums I'm losing track of who's on both or where.
Thanks
Keith
PS do you know how to delete a post I made in error on the quiz?

 

Just thought I would keep everyone updated with a couple of the recent posts on the WW1 forum which have been made by members who have received replies variously from MOD and NA

The first is a post of a reply received by one member from NA

The decision in principle to preserve them all was made by the Advisory Council in December 2001. TNA and MOD are currently in the early stages of planning for the eventual transfer to TNA of all WW2 service records.

I hope you find this helpful.

Yours sincerely

Paul Sturm
Public Services Development Unit


The one below was posted by a member who had received a reply from MOD

Just got this from the MOD


Thank you for your enquiry about the future of the Service personnel records of those who served during World War II.

There is no truth to the rumour that the Ministry of Defence is about to, or has plans to, destroy the personnel records of those who served during World War II.

In December 2001 the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Public Records (now the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives) considered the question of these and other post World War I Service personnel records and subsequently decided that they should be preserved.

The National Archives and the Ministry of Defence is now actively engaged in discussions that will lead to their eventual transfer to TNA.

I hope that you are reassured.

Regards

Iain Goode

Deputy Departmental Records Officer
Ministry of Defence
06-G-01
Main Building
Whitehall
London SW1A 2HB

It would appear that our fears were unfounded which I am sure is a great relief to all of us

If there are any more significant developments I will cross post
Regards to all
Keith

 

Could someone give me the link to the WW1 board as I have a real interest in WW1 as well.

KInd Regards

James

 

Hi,
Try:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/

Regards
Ali

 

Many thanks,

I have just registered.

Kind Regards

James