James Grindrod Desert rats

Hello everyone,
Just wondering if anyone might have any information on my great grandfather, James Grindrod, who was in the desert rats tank corp. I don't have much information on him at all.
I think he was a private.
He was born on 15th October 1915 and died on 1st November 1974

Many thanks
Bradley Walker

 

Hi Bradley

Apply for his official service records from the MOD - forms are here Request records of deceased service personnel, you will also need a copy death certificate

TD

 

Are you sure about the date he died??

England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
Name: James Grindrod
Death Age: 58
Birth Date: 15 Oct 1915
Registration Date: Jan 1974
[Feb 1974]
[Mar 1974]
Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar
Registration District: Oldham
Inferred County: Lancashire
Volume: 10f
Page: 157

Seems he died in the 1st quarter of 1974

TD

 

Hi, I wasn't too sure on the date he died but I'm certain on his date of birth.
Unfortunately he's a bit of a mystery and there aren't many records of him.
I don't have his death certificate and I'm not sure who would.

 

Hopefully there's someone who knows what division he was in. All I know about his service is he was in the desert rats tank corp in North Africa

 

The Desert Rats name is mostly associated with the 7th Armoured Division: 7th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)

He could have been with any of the tank units mentioned in this orbat during the Desert Campaign, i.e. before 10 July 1943: Order of battle for 7th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)

 

Duplicated by above post so removed.

In my limited experience 'Other Ranks' are not easy to research, unless they won medals, kept a diary etc.

 

Use the details provided and contact the General Records Office (GRO) - Order a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate

TD

 

Welcome Bradley

as TD suggested in 2 posts


Death cert here General Register Office - Online Ordering Service - Login £11
Very simple to apply £30 plus date of birth and death cert Get a copy of military service records
Without these everything else will be guesswork
please dont sign up on any site on the internet promising his service records they will not have them.


regards
Clive

 

I've been researching my family and military history for years and for some reason, I've dismissed getting a copy of James Grindrod's death and military records, as I thought there may be another way to find out information. I think I'll probably order a copy now

Thanks

 

Bradley please do send off its the only way once you have the records then you can ask for help on this forum'

regards
Clive

 

Thank you. I'll do that
Bradley

 

Is this him? If so the date of death will ensure you get the correct certificate?
James Grindrod (Unknown-1974) - Find A Grave Memorial

Death shown as 11.1.1974 not 1.11.1974

 

Yes thats him. I only recently found his grave

 

My grandad was in the 7th armoured division and was in combat against rommel under the command of Montgomery in Africa

 

I think that's probably what division my great grandad was in. I'm waiting to receive his desth certificate, so should know shortly when I get the militsry records.

 

What's your great grandads wife's name

 

Elizabeth Grindrod nee York. She was born in 1917

 

Do you know any information on their children grand children