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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: emilypos on Thursday 22 September 16 11:50 BST (UK)
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Advice please on best way to get copy of my Dads UK Army service file ?
Google found www.gov.uk/get copy of military service files Would appear to be a form to download & print, fill out and airmail post with a 30 pounds Sterling cheque . Tis a long time since I had to get a GBS cheque from an Australian bank . I remember the cost was quite prohibitive
I know Dad enlisted shortly after war was declared . He married in Nov 1939 and wore his Army uniform but didn't serve overseas
He died here back in 1996
Many thanks
Emilypos NSW Australia
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If his wife is still alive, I believe she could apply without needing to pay the fee.
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No, regret Mum died in 2006
Bye
emilypos
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Yes Emilypos, that is how you obtain his service record. I'm sure the banks will charge like wounded bulls for any transfer of money.
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records
If you know someone in the UK who can write a cheque on your behalf, maybe you could transfer the money to them electronically?
Fewer people are using cheques these days so you might hope that the UK govt will move with the times and allow other methods of payment.
I haven't bought a service record for years so am unsure of their current requirements, but everything you need to know is on their website.
Good luck.
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Sorry. I had to mention it, cos it could have saved you the money cash question.
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Thats disappointing . Have a sister in the UK still whose not into family history and a cousin of sorts who is ! Will try my luck with her ................. !
FWIW I havent had a cheque book for a very long time To get copy of a UK will used to be a great expensive drama so they probably didnt sell many . Now its a ten pound no dramas breeze and I recently got 3
Thanks for your help
Emilypos
NSW :-*
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I think your sister would be your best bet, assuming she has a cheque book.
Let us know how you get on. :)
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Postal Orders should be acceptable
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Postal Orders ? Do they still exist ? Reminds me of the International reply coupons we use to use :-) I dont like my chances of whether local AUS POST office would have money orders in pounds sterling.
Will try my cousin first
thanks for help
Emilypos
NSW
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Looks like you can do it all online these days.
Info about a Money Order:
https://auspost.com.au/buymoneyorders/app/#/order
But before you proceed, check to see if the UK Gov will accept this method of payment. I don't know what the costs are for a money order.
There is also Western Union:
http://auspost.com.au/money-insurance/overseas-money-transfer.html
I know nothing about them and once again you need to check if this method is acceptable.
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Was he an active member of an RSL sub-branch, perhaps they would be able to organise the documents from their UK contacts :) and you could offer to make a donation to Legacy?
ADD (Suggestion from a family member sitting beside me here in NSW)
Ask your Federal Member of Parliament to find out, including if Australia House can organise the UK applications.
JM
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JM, applying for a UK service record only requires printing and filling out a couple of simple forms and sending off the payment and a copy of a death certificate.
I would imagine it would be a lot more trouble and be more time consuming to request the RSL or an MP to intervene in any way. I'm not sure if they would have any knowledge of the process (particularly the MP) or if they would be bothered to get involved - they'd probably just point you in the direction of the UK gov website if they are aware of it's existence. ;)
The 'problem' is what is the easiest, and most cost effective, $ to £ payment method. :)
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Agh .... several of the State genie bodies offer Au to UK transfers.
SAG https://www.sag.org.au/
I think they have Face Book thingys too, so perhaps there's an ask a question option there that will have the ready answer.
I have found that our MP is always ready to help and my neighbours were able to get good prompt help via Australia House for a minor task without any difficulty.
JM
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If Emilypos can ask her UK based sister to write a cheque, that will be her easiest option I thnk. :)
(Emily, maybe your sister would be willing to fill out the forms too? :) )
I think your father's death certificate is a requirement, so there is an additional cost to purchase that if you don't already have it.
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Unfortunately yes, a death certificate is specified as being a required item.
RRTB
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Just to add other proof's of death are also acceptable like a photo of his headstone or an invoice from the undertakers etc.
Good luck
Andy
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Sincere thanks for all these helpful tips
Will contact my cousin who lives nr Watford . Alas Sister not at all into family history .
Bye
Emlypos NSW AUS