WW2 Army Service Records

[ronpsmith]

Has anyone got any experience of getting access to a British Army Service Record for the WW2 period? I have been trying to get my fathers (he died in 1972) army record via various sources but cannot see any simple method. At the moment it seems to me that everything for WW2 must be applied for in writing on an individual basis via the MOD but the procedure looks complicated based on the web site I saw. If anyone has gone through this already it would be great if they can advise what is required to get these records?

[Bernadette]

I obtained the records for my father last year from the MOD.
It was really not complicated, and they were much quicker at sending the information through than I'd hoped.
The only problem I had was trying to decipher some of the abbreviations/ codes etc that were used, but I found plenty of helpful sites out there to assist.
I'd definately reccommend getting them.
Bernadette

[ChristineW]

Hi

I obtained my Grandfather's WW2 service records a few years ago (he was killed in action in 1944). I downloaded the appropriate forms from http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_rec ... cords.html, enclosed a copy of the death certificate and a cheque for £30 and sent them to the MOD.

Although it took some 14 months for the records to be sent to me, I am glad I got them. The information contained within the records was absolutely brilliant as he was killed when my Mum was still quite young, so she really couldn't remember too much about him.

Along with the service records, the MOD had enclosed a comprehensive listing of what all the abbreviations meant - which was incredibly useful as I couldn't understand half of what was written!

I would advise you to go for it!

Christine

[ronpsmith]

Thanks Bernadette and Christine. I have just had a look at that web site and I think I will give it a try. I was only young when my father died and he never talked much about the war (nothing at all to me) so I am keen to learn something about his experiences.

Ron