7263940 James Ballantyne Cullen RAMC info sought

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by GraemeC, Jul 21, 2024.

  1. GraemeC

    GraemeC New Member

    I have been trying to piece together my great-grandfather's time while serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps during and beyond the war but appear to of hit a brick wall.

    We know he served in RAMC 30 Coy in Imtarfa / Mtarfa in Malta from 1939 to 1945. He was then stationed in the Moascar / Canal Zone in Egypt with the MELF 10 (Middle East Landing Force) but I don't have dates for this just address on letters.

    I have requested his service record via the MOD by providing name, DOB, place of birth, service number and a copy of his death certificate but I got the following response:
    "A search for the information has now been completed within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and I can confirm that no information in scope of your request is held".
    This seems strange to me as I have numerous documents with all the this information including his service number. If anyone on here could advise me on how to get his service records from the MOD, that would be greatly appreciated!

    I do have a copy of his service Soldier's Service and Army Book which actually has the wrong year of birth but correct day and month (it says 1919 instead of 1920 as shown on his birth and death certificate).

    We also have 2 medal ribbons but not the medal. I believe these ribbons are from the The Defence Medal and The Italy Star.

    I have uploaded some pictures of his service book, dogtag(?), letters and the medal ribbons. I also have lots of pictures my great-grandfather and various other RAMC servicemen in Malta & Egypt which I can share if anyone is interested.

    If anyone is able to share any information relating to what I have wrote above that would be brilliant!

    Thanks,
    Graeme
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Presume that you are aware of this site:
    30 Coy are much mentioned on here
    The Royal Army Medical Corps

    There are others on the forum much more knowledgeable regarding Service Record application procedures.

    Can help with Ribbon identification
    Medals NA and Italy.jpg

    You have a lot of information so should receive some help in detail, once members have read through it all.

    I will drop by later to see how its going.

    RAMC is a somewhat specialised topic.

    Photos are always popular and often solve problems so worth posting.

    Vehicles with numbers,, uniforms and background especially so.
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2024
    GraemeC likes this.
  3. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    As no one has come back yet I will comment on your list.

    The Coy service is covered on the website posted on #2
    MELF 10 is post war.
    His DoB is 1920

    I am not well informed on MoD to TNA (The National Archive) transfers but aware of problems people are having with Dates of Birth less than 115 years old.
    Due to Confidentiality concerns. Requiring FOI (Freedom of Information) Requests.

    Best if you wait for someone to come along with experience of this.

    Failing that, try contacting TNA as they might now be holding his Service Record.

    MOD ALREADY TRANSFERRING WW2 SERVICE FILES TO UK NATIONAL ARCHIVES 2021

    Records transferred from the The Ministry of Defence to The National Archives
     
    GraemeC likes this.
  4. GraemeC

    GraemeC New Member

    Hi Uncle Target,

    Thank you for the information in your replies!

    I read through the RAMC Malta link you provide which is a great source. I would love to know more about what part m great grandfather played so hopefully when I get his service record, I will be able to tie it up with the information on that site.

    Hopefully someone on here is able to advise on how best to proceed with getting the service records. I have uploaded the reply that I received in the event it helps someone guide me with next steps.

    Thanks,
     

    Attached Files:

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