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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Traceya on Thursday 01 June 06 13:41 BST (UK)
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Biker suggested that someone on this board may be able to help me (boy do I need help!)
Just found out my Grandfather was dishonourably discharged 'never to serve again'
He was in the Somerset Light Infantry and his name was Louis W. Macdonald (dob 1908).
Don't know if it will assist but the discharge was possibly the result of an incident in the Far East between 1924 & 1931.
My father told me about the discharge but neither he nor his siblings know why. It was suggested that they thought he had murdered someone :o, but surely that would have resulted in more than dishonourable discharge.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Tracey
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http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_recs/service%20_recs_army.htm - as he was still serving post-1920 his records would still be with the MoD. You would have to prove he is deceased and your kinship to him.
An initial trawl of the Times didn't bring anything up.
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Thanks Jorose,
I was hoping there might be another way to access court martial records. Heard reports of MOD being extremely expensive and not that helpful.
Still looks like I'll have to contact them. Do you think Grandfathers date of birth & full name will be sufficient info? I know he was Somerset Light Infantry but no enlistment date, regiment, or other details.
Tracey
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Hi Tracy,
Your father or next of kin of your grandfather will need to write to this address and provide proof of relationship and death of your grandfather.
Army Personnel Centre,
Historical Disclosures,
Mail Point 400,
Kentigern House,
65 Brown Street,
Glasgow,
G2 8EX
I would suspect they might require place of birth together with what you have.
Good luck
Salty
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i can't find any trace of him in the military courts 1879 - 1994 index
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Hi Harribobs,
Sorry I have taken so long to reply, been away from computer.
If Court Martial happened abroad would he still be in the Military Courts Index?
I realise that's probably a obvious question but I'm still learning.
Tracey ;)
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yes Tracey,
but i have found out the publication i'm using isn't complete >:(
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he may not have been court martialled it may have been a court of inquest and your grandfather was blamed for the death of someone,mack
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Thanks for that Mack,
If I contact the regiment, after getting a letter of permission from my Uncle, would they be able to supply this info, or do I need to look elsewhere?
Also could you supply a link to a location that explains what a court of inquest is?
Thanks Tracey
P.S. Thanks also to Harribobs.
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Further information on my Grandfathers discharge has come to light.
Seemingly he, and a n other, was arrested in China for breaking into a Temple (it has been assumed they were trying to get sent home) . The Chinese prosecuted and they spent 6 months in a Chinese prison.
Is this likely, my understanding of British Army is that they would have sorted it internally. Waiting for 'letter of authorisation' off my uncle and then hope that regiment or MOD can clear this issue up.
Sorry think I just wanted a rant ???
Tracey