WW2 Service Records

Hi, I am back again, the one looking in the FIFI 626th Association of Engineers based in Shertson in 1944. If anyone has any contact with an Amercian Soilders that knows this unit can you please please let me know.

Seem to have come to a dead end.
Many thanks
Elizabeth

 

Ok i'll start this this one off!

Am I right in saying that British Forces Service Records for soldiers who served during WW2 are all held by the MOD and you have to be a relative of the man in order to request his Service Docs.
If this is so is there any other way getting a detailed idea of his service/movements?

Cheers,
Ski


Hi Ski

Just got some documents back from MOD yesterday and, no you dont have to be a relative, but you do need their permission if it is lees that 25 year since they died. If it is over, you dont need any permission, you can apply , but need proof of death.

hope this helps

regards

Robert

 

To anyone seeking further info on Service records, see also this link:

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/searching-someone-military-genealogy/21898-war-records.html

 

Service Records are not available to distant relatives. This is very frustrating, anyone know if there are plans for the records to be available to the general public? Records for WW1 have been available for a number of years but the last survivor, Harry Patch, has only recently passed away.

 

Service Records are not available to distant relatives. This is very frustrating, anyone know if there are plans for the records to be available to the general public? Records for WW1 have been available for a number of years but the last survivor, Harry Patch, has only recently passed away.

I think they have a set amount of years before they release documents to the general public, its not necessarily when all of the survivors have passed away, but they generally take a cut off date where most of them have probably passed away. I understand the Data Protection issues that the authorities cite for keeping access limited, but personally I think that its more important that we make it easier for people to research and understand what previous generations did. Hopefully they will make WW2 records available sooner than they did WW1 ones.

There is a challenge being made on the release of census records. Until recently the Government only released census records 100 years after the census, but it looks like that is being challenged. I know its not exactly the same as service records but it might force a shift in data protection/freedom of information policy in general.

 

How and who do I get in touch with (address etc) to find out about my fathers service record re Royal Scots Fusiliers (drummer in Band)
Sue

 

How and who do I get in touch with (address etc) to find out about my fathers service record re Royal Scots Fusiliers (drummer in Band)
Sue

Hello Sue,

An application needs to be made to the Ministry of Defence - I believe they are free to his next of kin, otherwise £30; link: https://www.gov.uk/government/organi...to-information

Make sure you ask for his FULL service record. You may have to wait for up to a year for a response, but sometimes they arrive within a couple of months - a bit of a lottery. But the sooner you apply, the sooner they'll arrive.

Best,

Steve.

 

Father was in service around 1944 (Sussex area) dob12/03/1920 he was drummer in the 1st battalion. have serial #.

 

thank you Sue

 

Hi all The telephone number for Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow is 01412242335

 

Do you have his service number?

I may be able to help with other background info. Especially if he was still in service after 1947 and joined up before 1940.
all the best

Iain