I am looking for details of my late grandad's ww2 military service history. I have his service number, date of birth and death and know he was with the Essex Regiment but don't have a clue how to find information. I know I can contact veterans uk and pay a £30 fee but I need the information fairly quickly for my son's homework. Is there anywhere I can find information quickly?
Kasesaal While I would agree with Owen - there might be a slim chance if you were to tell us his service number - Battalion of the Essex Regt - date of birth and death- where you think he served - BUT if the information is needed - this year - then forget it... Cheers
Whilst the info would be useful for my little boy to know, I too am very interested in finding out as much as I can - and obviously on no time limit! My grandad was Leonard Edward Smith DOB 04/07/1918 Date of death 29/11/1989 Service number 6016936 2/4 Btn. Essex. Regiment My Aunt, my only surviving relative, has been able to provide the following info about his medals:- 1939-1945 Campaign medal 1939 - 1945 Defence medal The France and Germany Star The 1939-1946 Star Royal Army Service Corps I would greatly appreciate any help you could give.
well his number does indeed match though given to those who enlisted into the Essex Regt. but as you mention the RASC , Royal Army Service Corps , he may have well transferred to them but without his records we don't know when .
Kasesaal Some confusion somewhere as there was a 2/4th Battalion of the Essex regiment in WW1 - they appear to be spilt between wars and 1st battalion served in 4th Indian Div in Italy - and 2nd battalion appears to have served in France and Germany but their parent Division is clouded..plus the reference to the RASC....makes is difficult to advise which way to go apart from getting his service records from Glasgow in due course... Cheers
For above, here is the Regimental History - this is a reprint version, but there are originals on offer on sites such as abebooks. http://www.naval-military-press.com/essex-regiment-1929-1950.html Did your grandfather have any books about the war himself which someone has? They may have notes in margin, or clippings etc inside. The only campaign star there is F&G so this indicates that the only theatre he served abroad in was NWE; but again no indication as to when (and with which unit). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_and_Germany_Star https://www.gov.uk/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/28389/Medals_Booklet.pdf As with any other Corps, RASC is tricky to pinpoint as they comprised of smaller units. Without a unit designation it'd be hard to say where he served. Find out if there are any photos, any patches, any letters home, any souvenirs brought back which might provide another clue as to location etc. If your aunt has something like a pay book - AB 64 - this might help you with a brief outline, or help with when he may have transferred from Essex Regt to RASC. If he belonged to local RBL branch, or was in touch with old comrades, or in an Association, try and track that down as they might have some information. Good luck
The names of some men identified as 2/4 Essex who are commemorated by CWGC ABBAY JR 69159 2/4TH BN 12/06/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2421597/ BARRETT AG 6016639 2/4TH BN 06/11/1939 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2721764/ BIXBY RFG 6016069 2/4TH BN 21/05/1940 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2186765/ BLOOMFIELD VA 6016892 2/4TH BN 05/08/1944 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2674240/ DEACON LC 6014788 2/4TH BN 12/07/1940 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2721909/ FORD BS 6014813 2/4TH BN 30/07/1940 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2733666/ PURCELL GJ 20817 2/4TH BN 07/03/1940 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2695688/ ROSENBLOOM F 6021676 2/4TH BN 26/07/1942 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2721585/ TUCKER AW 6008687 2/4TH BN 08/08/1945 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2929241/ TWEEDIE-SMITH JP 33369 2/4TH BN 07/02/1940 ESSEX REGIMENT http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2427386/ Here's a chap who joined the same time as your grandfather, likely trained at same time, but ended up in a different Bn which wasn't unusual. Thought it might be of interest as his number is only 2 away. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2394184/ SHAW, WILLIAM THOMAS Rank: Lance Corporal Service No: 6016934 Date of Death: 27/04/1943 Age: 24 Regiment/Service: Essex Regiment, 1/5th Bn. Grave Reference: 7. N. 1. Cemetery: BASRA WAR CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of James and Jane Shaw, of Manor Park, Essex.
Thanks for all your replies. I have a photograph of my grandad with his regiment and at the bottom is written 2/4Btn. Essex Regt. My aunt knows that he went to Dunkirk and she has a photograph taken in 1945 at a thanksgiving service on conclusion of the campaign in north west Europe with PTE L E Smith no 6016936 written on it. I am intrigued now so will definitely be obtaining service records from Glasgow.
How about posting them up? Often there are clues to be found, and also if you have a group one someone else researching their relative might appreciate it. Good luck to you and your son with the research.
