Help finding out about my great uncle, Dorset regiment ww2

Sorry not been on for a few weeks to update.
I got the 4th Dorset files an had a quick scan through, thanks for those Andy.
After some of the entries there is a number, what is this for?
I have just spoken to my great uncles daughter and she has said she will help with the NoK information. Very happy now.

 

Can you be a bit more specific?

 

I can't see how to upload a photo from my phone but I have looked at some of the scans and they look like some sort of grid/map reference, here are 2 examples-
Feb 45 0900 much enemy activity observed during the morning in factory area 954606
Feb 45 1315 our arty fired shells on point 993608 where enemy had been observed
Activity observed during most of the day around factory 954607

 

Thanks.

 

Me again guys, I have got the NoK forms filled in and signed but we noticed that it said that a copy of the death certificate needed to be sent with forms. I don't have this but I think I will be able to get a copy but may take a bit of time, my question is do I actually need to send it or will they be able to proceed without it and if it is needed will a photocopy do.
Thanks
Also while at the family get together I found out another great uncle may have been a fighter pilot, my great granddad served in ww1 with the horses like in War horse and my great great grandad fought in the boar war.
I have a lot of digging around to do in te coming years.

 

You will need a copy of the death certificate to send with the forms. If you don't I can imagine your application will be rejected. It takes them long enough as it is to send the service records, so it is best to send all the documents required so you don't have any further delay.
If you know his date of birth, put that on too-you can order a death certificate online from the General Register Office for about 9 quid, the last time I ordered one it took about 10 days.
http://www.gro.gov.uk/GRO/content/certificates/default.asp

Lesley

 

All they are looking for is some proof of death so they are covered legally. A Death Cert is the common route to go down but an undertakers invoice or a photograph of his headstone will do along with any other proof of death that I can't think of.

Cheers
Andy

 

Thanks, I will speak to his daughter and see if she can provide a death certificate. If not I only live a few miles away from church he is buried in so can get a photo and include that with a note.

 

Managed to get hold of a death certificate and all was posted last week in July, one last question - how long does is average time before I will get notification from the MoD?
Thanks again to everyone who has commented on this post.

 

Piece of string mate - Some have arrived in under 8 weeks and some have taken 9 months

 

Hi,

You should get a standard notification letter from MOD within 4 to 6 weeks. Keep it somewhere safe as it has their unique reference number for your enquiry that you will need to use if you have to chase up MOD.

Don't be overly alarmed when you see they mention as much as a 9 to 12 month waiting time for the records to be provided. That is a worse case scenario.

It took me 4 months to get records last year.

Good Luck.

Steve Y

 

Thanks, won't get too excited for the time bein then when I see the postman walking up the path.
Will also keep an eye on when the chq clears from bank account as will know things are moving.

 

Hi Matt,

I became involved in WW2 talk recently after I reired this year. My father has been with the 4th Dorsets during 44,45 he got married to a dutch girl, after the war. Finaly I lived in the UK till 1955, after that I was in holland and got married in Germany in 1974. I live a few miles away from Dorset wood which is close to Tripsrath, the regimental book called from Normandy to the Weser is the best detailed book about the history of the 4th Dorsets, you can order a reprint from the keep museum in Dorchester. I have been involved in WW2 due to the visits of the old comrades who came from 1963 with bus tours from the UK and they picked us up to visit the main batlle sites in Germany and Holland. My dad ( PTE. H. Apps , 5734953) is mentioned in the book when he received his MM from Montgomery in 1945 the cermony was in Celle Germany. Maybe your great uncle has been a member of a dorset old comrade branch? maybe an old comrade could tell you more information, but time is running out, as the all fade away.

Regards
Harold Apps

harold.apps@gmx.de

 

His records arrived in the post this week so will now start reading through to see what I can find.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Matt

 

Well done! How long did they take in the end?

 

I sent them off last week of July and arrived en of last week, so about 6 weeks.
During that time I received a letter from the MoD office saying that they are very busy at the moment and it will take between 3-6 months.

 

A friend of mine had exactly the same experience. Letter came to say 'this may take some time yet', service records arrived two weeks later. Good luck Fubarstar.