Matthew James Reavey - POW Europe

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Chris Bailey, Jan 30, 2021.

  1. Chris Bailey

    Chris Bailey Member

    Good evening all

    I am looking into my Great Grandad (step). I have very little information about him in general, let alone his service experience. I have searched for him on the usual paid sites and come out with a possible service number of 5384164. He was born in Northern Ireland but married and lived in Buckinghamshire, England. This service number is linked to a soldier in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and is coming up a POW in Europe.

    I know that just because he lived in Bucks doesn't mean he would automatically be enlisted into this regiment but it does make sense right? No one in the family has ever mentioned him being a POW which does make me think maybe this is not my man...

    Is my best bet the National Archives?

    Many thanks

    Chris Bailey
     

    Attached Files:

  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Chris

    I am sure other forum members will be along shortly
    you need to apply for his service records
    It is not worth guessing or assuming you could be lead up the dead end
    paid for sites will not have the info you are looking for

    date of birth and death cert plus £30
    A long wait but worth it

    Get a copy of military service records

    regards
    Clive
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945
    Name: M J Reavey
    Rank: Private
    Army Number: 5384164
    Regiment: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    POW Number: 11560
    Camp Type: Stalag
    Camp Number: VIII-B
    Camp Location: Cieszyn, Poland
    Record Office: Infantry Record Office, Warwick
    Record Office Number: 21

    There are only 2 x Reavey POW's in Germany and only 1 has the initials MJ


    Theres really only one way to answer your question and that is to obtain his service record from the MOD - forma are here Request records of deceased service personnel

    TD

    Just because you can type faster than me
     
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  4. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    No WW2 army service records are held at U.K. National Archives.

    All you have got through the paid for sites is a “theory” which may or not be correct. As Clive says you need to obtain his service records. That is the only definitive way forward.

    Steve
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
    Name: Matthew James Reavey
    Death Age: 70
    Birth Date: 19 Jun 1911
    Registration Date: Jan 1982
    [Feb 1982]
    [Mar 1982]
    Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar
    Registration District: Chiltern and Beaconsfield
    Inferred County: Buckinghamshire
    Volume: 19
    Page: 1281

    Ireland, Civil Registration Births Index, 1864-1958
    Name: Matthew James Reavey
    Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1911
    Registration District: Newry
    Birth Country: Ireland
    Volume: 1
    Page: 750
    FHL Film Number: 101074

    TD
     
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  6. Chris Bailey

    Chris Bailey Member

    Thank you Clive

    I thought so.... I will send off for them then. I am not 100% sure that the service number above is him, do people get some results back even if service number is not known?

    Many thanks.
     
  7. Chris Bailey

    Chris Bailey Member

    What information would be on the liberation questionnaire? If I requested these would these detail a spouse or home address? Thinking I could request these as well.
     
  8. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Chris

    do not put the service number unless you are sure
    you dont need it , just date of birth and death cert plus £30

    regards
    Clive
     
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  9. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Liberation questionnaire usually contains a home address but no NOK. Not every man completed one.

    They are available at U.K. National Archives but are not online so it requires a personal visit by you or someone (researcher) acting on your behalf. U.K. National Archives are currently closed.

    Steve
     
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  10. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Chris,
    the regiment is the same as that of some officers I am about to write a book. From the capture to the POW camp in my home town and their spectacular escape in 1941

    Stefan.
     
  11. Chris Bailey

    Chris Bailey Member

    Sounds great. I would be very much interesting in buying a copy of that when complete.
    Thank you.
     
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  12. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    These newspaper cuttings should enable a positive id:
    Bucks Examiner 6 Sept 1940
    Reavey 1.jpg
    Bucks Examiner 2 Apr 1982
    Reavey 2.jpg

    Until you get his official service records I will leave it up to you to decide if this is the same man:
    1st Bn Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    5384164 REAVEY Pte MJ

    Casualty List No. 236 Dated 20 June 1940
    France / missing / Date not reported

    Casualty List No. 314 Dated 21 Sept 1940
    POW previously reported missing

    Casualty List No. 1803 Dated 9 July 1945
    Previously reported POW in German hands (Germany) now not POW

    WO 392/11
    POW Camp 8B
    POW No 11560
     
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  13. Chris Bailey

    Chris Bailey Member

    I can now confirm that is 100% him! Thank you. His wife was Dorothy and that is his home referenced in the newspaper.
    You guys really are amazing at what you do!
     
  14. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    I will post it on WW2 talk, but not before end 2021
    Stefan.
     
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