Family Historian User Group

I have two queries which other forum members may be able to help with.
1. Both my father and my wife's father served in the RAF during WW2. What is the best way to get a comprehensive record of their service including bases in the UK and in Japan and China? Both were in the invasion force in 1945, my father went to Hong Kong and my wife's to Hiroshima for the clear-up.
2. In getting back to family in Wiltshire in the 1800's we found three references to Wiltshire Militia members and have references A1/721/1, WO 121/81/74 and WO 121/185/169.
Does the format mean anything to anyone and how do I go about using them to get more information? I assume WO is war office.
Many thanks
Dagwood

ID:5479

1. You can apply for service records, although there are restrictions on who can apply and when and there is a VERY long waiting list - typically 9-10 months. For details see:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_rec ... cords.html

2. A is Army, W = (as you suggest) is War Office. All these records are at the National Archives in Kew and some may also available at Ancestry.co.uk or FindMyPast.co.uk

Gerry

Hi Dagwood,
It is definetly worth applying even though as Gerry says the wait can be long.
My grandfather was an aircraftsman in WW2, when i got his record it was only a 2 sided sheet. But once you decode the 'codes' it told me what aircraft he looked after as well as the bases he worked on. It wasn't as good as my other grandfathers army record for detail, but it still helped a lot.

Richard

In 2009 I received my late father's WWII RAF service records within three weeks of official application.

I beleive the cost was around £30 - not an inconsiderable sum, but I'm glad I applied.

The copies (in colour) are really high quality and printed on substantial art paper at 100 per cent enlargement.

I agree with Dagwood. For me, the information was well worth learning about, confirming my father's story that he spent a good deal of his time in Bulawayo (Rhodesia as was) hospital with 'fever' (malaria) - all carefully noted and documented with dates and times etc.

My thanks to Gerry, Richard and Brian for their responses. Some comments on each:
1.Gerry's link took me straight to the instructions for requesting service records and this consists of a 2 part form the second part being related to whichever branch of the services you are looking at.
2.Richard refers to what sounds like a restricted version of the record but from the guidance notes this is only applicable if you are not the spouse or or son or daughter.The next of kin get the full record. If not the next of kin you have to have their permission to get the full record. I would hazard a guess that as a grandchild this may have been the reason for a condensed record.(After 25yrs from the date of death all the information held is released to applicants)
3. Brian is correct in saying the fee is £30 but please note this fee is waived if you are the spouse or civil partner  of the deceased. In my case my mother is dead and £30 would be payable; in my wife's case her mother is still alive and we would probably apply in her name to avoid what I think is a hefty fee considering what our parents gave up to serve their country.
Again, my thanks to the three of you
Dagwood

Hi Dagwood, that was the full record i requested, as i actually got my mother to apply as his next of kin. I think as his service was just in the UK, they really didnt keep much more detail on him.

Richard

Just come across this query.
I have recently been involved in some research into WW11 records.
I found the published regimental histories to be rather too general for any detailed history of a given individual. They are worth a read for getting the general feel of the historical background.
The individual records available on application are also very much of a general nature. At least this was the case with those that I have seen.
The only real way to get a more detailed history is to visit TNA and start going through the records. WO is indeed the War office file code but much of the material was supplied by the MOD. I have found actual War Office material to be quite rare.
If a soldier served overseas then details of the convoy that took him there are available under the Admiralty records. These can in some cases then be traced back to Cabinet records.
If you can identify a unit then there are, in many cases, very detailed War Diaries and Roll Calls.
Any one doing this type of research must be prepared for the odd shock. There is some very detailed information on deaths in the records and even today and I presume for ever certain names have been censored. Special Military Intelligence and allegations of War Crimes being a couple of examples.

Thank you for this information, Berni.

My late father always said he missed the first convoy out from Liverpool due to illness and 'vaccine fever', saying he heard that the first convoy was attacked by waiting U-boats in the Atlantic, sinking a number of vessels. I have no idea whether this is true.

When have time I shall certainly investigate the convoy records, if possible. I have my father's personal diary, which gives pretty detailed information regarding his psotings etc - probably against military orders!

Brian

Hi Brian
My late father also sailed from Liverpool.
If you have the departure date and some information on where he went you should be able to track his voyage and also trace the fate of the other convoy.
It can become addictive.
I have now found at least 10 files in the WO series that contain his name and another six or so that refer to his voyages on various ships. There is a vast amount of WW11 material at Kew but it is not always easy to find information for a specific individual.
Bernard

thanks for this everyone. My first read on here and already I'm going to look into my mum and dads records.

I think I'd better not read to many postings or I'll never get anything done