Your help is kindly requested with the following

Following on some helpful suggestions from Diane, Ron's (updated) easy guide to those seeking info on a former Serviceman/Woman

Every question should be answered (see examples below)

1. Full Name: Jack Smith
2. Relationship (to researcher): Uncle
3. Service number: Not known
4. Which branch of Service. Army
5. What unit. 49th LAA Rgt. R.A.
6. Which areas served in. Africa, Italy
7. Date of birth. Not known
8. Date of death. 10/3/44
9. Was he a POW ? No
10. Any Gallantry medals. Believe awarded MM
11. Any Campaign Stars/Medals ? Africa Star
12. Do you have his AB64 or equivalent ? No
13. Approx age on joining. Not known
14. Have you applied for records? No
15. Do you have any photos ? Yes
16. Have you tried researching elsewhere ? Yes
17. If you have, state where. Google and RA websites
18. Main reason for researching the named person ?
My parents are no longer around to question and I am researching on behalf of Jack Smith's children.

 

This is a great idea

 

.

 

Clive

With ref to:

You are of course quite right with your extra link, but it was never my intention to give an answer to every query raised.

I would rather that good folk like yourself read the completed questionnaires and then point the writers in the right direction.

Best regards

Ron

 

If you are new to the forum, researching a relative or, in fact, any ex-serviceman or woman may I suggest the following.

1. Scroll up to the first posting on this thread.
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/50917-your-help-is-kindly-requested-with-the-following/
2. Highlight and Copy the questionnaire into your PC's memory (CTRL C)
3. Start your new posting by pasting the questionnaire into your reply box. (CTRL V)
4. Remove the original examples and replace with your own data

Now wait for our helpful forum members to reply with expert suggestions

Ron

 

Great idea, Ron! This will hopefully help many people with their requests.

 

Great idea Ron, I hope new members will find the questionnaire.
Might be worth thinking of a slightly more eye-catching title and changing the thread title. e.g. 'Advice on searching for a relative's service record' and including the link to the MOD site as Clive suggested.

 

I'm more than happy for the mods to move the questionnaire wherever they think it most effective and to re-name the thread for the same reason.

Whether or not newcomers choose to use it is another matter and the old adage "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink" comes to mind

Ron

 

The questionnaire has merit but I wonder if any newcomer would bother to read it…..possibly it should be Mods task to ask many of those same questions BEFORE they allow them to join the forum

instead we have people asking " my Grandfather served during WW2 - did you know him "….. and other such idiocies… which grates on the nerves at times...

Cheers

 

Perhaps with mods or admin help, there is room to place a new tab at the top of the page alongside 'Portal, Forums, Members etc' called 'Obtaining service records' which could contain the link https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records pinned to the top of the page.

OR

Perhaps the link above could be included in the acceptance email sent out from the forum when you first join?? asking if you do not have service records for a person it is suggested they be obtained as a major step to helping the applicant trace their ancestors family military history.

Just some thoughts - as an admin on another site it is often difficult to make these things 'foolproof' however if it cuts down on some then it has to some extent been effective, especially as it will never be 100% foolproof - we are human after all.

TD

 

Good idea Ron.


Perhaps question 12 should be slightly broader?

e.g. Do you have his Service and Pay Book (Army book 64) or any other paperwork or correspondence?

 

You can join the forum and if you feel inclined, post a question, without going through 'User Introductions', so shouldn't new forum members be 'channelled' (compulsorily) to leave an introduction as a first post, with Ron's message # 6 (or something similar) as an option. Not all new members are looking for the service history of relatives. We have thousands of members who have never left a user introduction or a post; they join and FO - if you don't believe me scroll through the 'Members' tab.

There should also be a forum rule that if you ask a question, and someone takes the time and effort to answer it, that you acknowledge it or otherwise respond. Good manners costs nowt!

However, it should all be easily achievable and unintimidating - we don't want to put potential new members off joining...

Best,

Steve.

 

A great idea just 2 thoughts.

Firstly if current members are aware it is easy enough to provide the template 9or whatever you want to call it) to new members raising this type of issue. 2 minute job.

Second I could answer no more than 4 of the questions for my Dad when I joined - needs to be stressed its OK if you do not know otherwise we will scare people off.

Brian

 

Blimey !

Early New Year resolution............

Must remember to keep my thoughts to myself

Ron

 

Don't think so Ron, all thoughts and suggestions generally well received here, it's just the application of the suggestions that might get a bit complicated.

Keep your (suitable) suggestions coming my friend.