Hi everyone,
I am trying to surprise my girlfriends Gran by finding old photos of her husband, now deceased, who served in the British Army of the late 1940’s early ’50’s so they can be printed and framed.
Trouble is I have no idea where to start looking. I only known the gentleman’s name and there are photos in b&w of him in uniform. I know demolitions was his line of work but not much else, not even his regiment. Any suggestions
Thanks
By: Richard gray - 1st January 2011 at 15:06
Re; service records some records can be obtained without being the next of kin. This depends on when the person died, and would cost £30. Records can also take up to six months before you receive them.
This forum could be useful in your research. http://www.ww2talk.com/
You could post on there giving as much info/photos as poss as many of their members are WW2 veterans or army experts.
By: DrPepper - 1st January 2011 at 14:26
Thanks Kev that is very useful. I shall take a look and see what I can see on the photos we have as you suggested.
By: kev35 - 1st January 2011 at 13:41
It’s a pretty wide question and I doubt that you will be able to find photo’s other than those you have access to already. But, here are a few suggestions.
1. If the photo’s you have of him in uniform show any insignia, it might be worth posting them here in case anyone recognises them.
2. Demolitions possibly, but not necessarily, points to Royal Engineers.
3. Service Record. Now, his service record would be available to his widow. To obtain this she would have to apply for a copy and because he died after he left the army she would need to provide a copy of the death certificate. The link below is the forms you need to print and send off with the relevant address.
http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/service_records/sar.pdf
http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/service_records/army_kinship.pdf
If you don’t have the service number for the kinship form you MUST include his date of birth.
4. Paperwork. Check whether the family has any relevant paperwork or medals awarded to him. This would help the MoD to isolate his records and might also provide clues regarding his service anyway.
Hope this is useful.
Regards,
kev35
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January 1, 2011 at 1:24 pm