Service Records application - MOD response timescale

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by DanMorris1989, May 25, 2015.

  1. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

    According to the National Archives Other ranks service records, 1921-1939, “… do not yet include records from the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Cavalry, or Guards Regiments”.

    How to look for records of... British Army soldiers in service after 1918

    As the record that I requested is for a Royal Artillery Warrant Officer who left the army in the mid-twenties it would appear that the MoD still have it. He also served in the Dorset Home Guard in WW2, that’s another avenue to explore one day.
     
    papiermache likes this.
  2. Matthew Ball

    Matthew Ball New Member

    Hello everyone,

    First post on this site. I’ve emailed the above email address with the details of four RAF men, one KIA, the rest survived (all four were brothers) to check they hold the records. Are they good at responding to enquiries like this promptly, and should I wait, or make full applications for each now?

    Grateful for any advice from those more experienced in this.

    For reference, the four are:


    George Edward ‘Ted’ Kosh 575060, enlisted as an Aircraft Apprentice (early training in Canada). KIA 1944.

    Leading Aircraftman Douglas John Kosh 1157465
    Enlisted at RAF Cardington after 1940. Militia. Was appointed as a Class F Reservist

    Corporal Charles Alfred Kosh 1166244
    Enlisted at RAF Cardington after 1940.

    Flight Sergeant Alfred Leonard Kosh 547550
    Joined as an Aircrafthand. Was appointed as a Class F Reservist
     
  3. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    No good emailing the Army Disclosures about RAF personnel Matthew - the reply will be speak to RAF Disclosures.

    RAF Records are still to be transferred to TNA so all are are available from Cranwell - rules on date of death applicable.

    Start here - Page details and method changed again in the last month
    Get a copy of military service records

    which links to

    Which Service - Apply for a deceased person's military record - GOV.UK

    You can apply online for Kosh 575060 without needing an electronic proof of death - £30 debit card payment and a record returned by email in between 3 and 6 weeks.

    For the others you can do the same and get a return in the same timescale but will need to supply electronic copy of a death certificate or presumption of death at least 25 years ago or more. Under 25 years you will not get the same service record.

    Ross
     
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  4. Matthew Ball

    Matthew Ball New Member

    Thanks for such a prompt reply and dealing kindly with my rookie error! The last of the brothers died 1997, so we are just outside the 25 year rule for them all. Many thanks
     
  5. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    Great stuff - In the additional info box on your applications be sure to add the text

    "Request informal review of Trade/Mustering section with view to publication"

    That way the auto redact rules will be checked by a person and usually you get the trades and dates released.

    Ross
     
    Matthew Ball likes this.
  6. Matthew Ball

    Matthew Ball New Member

    Thanks Ross, much appreciated.
     
  7. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    I have just, at long last, applied for both my uncle’s and my cousin’s (George James Gatty, KIA 1945) service records using the link kindly provided above by Ross. Let’s see how long it takes, or whether either has been transferred to TNA yet.

    My uncle’s possibly has as, whilst he started his army service with the Royal Artillery in 1942, he was transferred to the CMP in September 1945, and Dave76’s post in the TNA records thread indicates those whose service ended with the MPs may already be over there.

    I’m not sure how much info I will receive, my uncle died in 1981, so well over 25 years ago, and I am not the immediate NOK as that would be my aunt, his sister, happily still with us at 90 years old. She has previously signed her permission for me to get my grandfather’s records, which I received in 2020, but I don’t want to bother her again for my uncle’s.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2023
  8. GeorgyB

    GeorgyB Active Member

    From 1 April 2023 it will be free to apply for a military service record from the MOD. You’ll need to pay the £30 fee if you submit an application before 1 April.

    Get a copy of military service records
     
    Richard Lewis likes this.
  9. EmpireUmpire

    EmpireUmpire .........

    That's great news.
     
  10. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    I wonder if I ignore any future request for payment for the two I just applied for and then just reapply in April, whether they’ll notice. :D
     
  11. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

    That’s confusing. Since November 2022 applications for Army and Home Guard service records have not needed an upfront payment. From 1 April 2023 it seems that RN and RAF applications will be the same i.e., no upfront payment, or as the MoD say, ‘free to apply’. Once they locate the record do they then request the £30 payment?

    To quote from Get a copy of military service records
    • When you apply online for a British Army or Home Guard record, the MOD will check if they hold it. If they have it, you’ll be sent a link to pay. If they do not, you’ll be told to check The National Archives.
    • From 1 April 2023 it will be free to apply for a military service record from the MOD. You’ll need to pay the £30 fee if you submit an application before 1 April.
    Richard
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2023
    timuk likes this.
  12. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

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  13. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Well, I heard back from the MOD today and they advise me that both of the records have been transferred to TNA. I was pretty much expecting that for my uncle, given what Dave76 had said about the CMP, but really wasn’t sure that my cousin’s record would have transferred already too.

    So now time to apply to TNA and see what luvverly price they quote.
     
  14. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    Use the TNA page on FIO to do your application

    No documents you sent to MoD will be transferred to TNA so resend all.

    You need to prove immediate NoK on your application if subject is not over 25 years since death.

    That's what we have gleaned from others about the application process so far.

    Ross
     
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  15. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Cheers Ross.
     
  16. cmorran

    cmorran Member

    How long does it take to get service records.
     
  17. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    This topic is about UK service records.

    You have an interest in your grandfather who served in Canadian Army so UK delays don’t impact on your query.

    Daughter of LCpl Nick ZAHORODNY, Canadian 1st Hussars

    Might be better to post a separate topic asking how long it takes to get a Canadian Army service file from LAC Ottawa.

    Or are you starting another query about a relative who served in UK forces?

    Steve
     
  18. cmorran

    cmorran Member

    OK thanks steve. new to this site so not always sure where to post questions.
     
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  19. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    Just had an email reply to a question I posed to the team at the TNA on acceptable proof of death to be included on FOI applications.

    I asked about proof of death in service and specifically if the link to the CWGC page for an individual would be acceptable.

    "Thank you for your email.

    We would accept a link to The Commonwealth War Graves Commission as valid proof of death.

    We require documentary proof of death. Other formats we would accept include, a death certificate, an entry into an official history, or a published obituary.

    I hope this helps to answer your query."

    So that clears that issue up - not quite the same as MoD requirement but in my mind the TNA request very workable.

    Ross
     
  20. Matthew Ball

    Matthew Ball New Member

    I had an RAF service record back within about 10 days of requesting and very helpful service.

    Not sure if this is appropriate but I wonder if more expert eyes can help interpret the record, which I’ve anonymised.

    Thank you

    Matt
     

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