How do I get my Granddad's service records? Am I allowed them? How much does it cost? My granddad was Patrick Nolan of The 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment.
Hi Kim I presume you are talking about British service records. Yes you can - read and apply here - Get a copy of military service records - GOV.UK regards Robert
Thank you Robert. I know so little. But I want to know everything so that his bravery and all the other men's bravery and sacrifice and women's never gets forgotten. Kim.
Your journey of discovery will begin with the service records but they will only tell you part of the story. What you will get will be dates and places he was posted but these will help you unlock other doors so to speak. Your next step would be to get hold of his unit's war diary if one exists. There are a couple of people in the forum who visit the National Archives regularly and can get you copies for a very reasonable cost. If you find out about any major battles/operations he might have been involved in then there should be more than a few general history books you can consult for more background. You might also find this forum thread interesting 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment And this... 53rd Recce Regiment
Thank you so much for your help. I was lucky enough to know my Granddad until he passed in 1979. However being so young I know so very little. Most of what I know came from my Aunt who also is no longer with us. He was born in Ireland so I am guessing his comrades might have called him Paddy. I vaguely remember being told this. I know he was awarded several medals. Also I know he was mentioned in a book. My Aunt had this book but I do not know what became of it. It was a hardback book from what I can recall and I think it was red. I will keep on looking until I discover the other side to my Granddads life.
Hello Kim and welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce relative on board Was your Grandad a Lieutenant P.J. Nolan? There is a mention of this chap who was in 53rd Recce, A Squadron in the book 'Only the enemy in front' by Richard Doherty, which is a book about the Reconnaissance Corps. P.J. Nolan went on to receive a Military Cross. If you could confirm this is your Grandad, I am sure someone will come along and post up his Citation for his award. Edit: Ah I see it is your grandad, your cousin replied here at post 367 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment It is quite confusing to forum members when two of the same members of family are asking about the same chap Lesley
Sorry to have confused people. Where Sarah and I are both trying to get information we have inevitably doubled up and ended up on some of the same sites. However just to clarify yes it is one and the same. I did hear somewhere down the line that after the war he got promoted to Captain. However I do not know how true this is. I was told it was honorary. But I do not know if there is such a thing. Can any one help me on that?
