1st Kensingtons - Pte C.H. Morton aka Danky

[jacksparrow]

Hello.

My grandfather, Private C.H. Morton (service number 5948269) fought in Sicily during WWII and was part of the 1st Battalion Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment.  He was badly injured in 1943 and came back to England to Mount Vernon Hospital in Middlesex.  He was known by the nickname Danky.

Does anyone know how I can find out what his real first name is, after all I do have his service number and regiment? (I can't get his service records as I require a copy of his death certificate and I don't know when he died.... or when/where he was born)

My family seem to recall stories that he was an American..... so would an American be able to join this particular regiment?  Did you have to come from the area that the regiment was in or was it a case of just enroling and you were in???  (Please excuse my ignorance  )

If anyone has any information that would help me find his first name and his dob / death; help me understand about who joined what regiment; or confirm or refute ideas that he may have been American, then I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Roger Griffiths]

I can't answer your direct question, but 1/PLKR was in Italy under 78 Infantry Division from Sept44 to May45. Not 1943.

There was'nt any objection to foreign nationals volunteering for service in British Armed Forces.

Roger

[jacksparrow]

Oh thats confusing because my grandfathers letter was dated 24/02/1944 from the Mount Vernon Hospital and the address had his service number and 1st Kensingtons. 

He said that he had been unable to reply to subsequent letters as he was abroad on the invasion force for Sicily, he also says that he had been unable to write for some time because he had been so badly injured.

Maybe he didn't fight in Sicily but got wounded before they got there??? Hmm, very odd.  Oh, well I will carry on searching.

[manchester regt]

you can apply for his service record at kentigern house,it cost nothing for his spouse,but next of kin will probably have to pay a small fee[about 20/25 quid]well worth the money to find out your g/fathers war record,mack

[jacksparrow]

you can apply for his service record at kentigern house,it cost nothing for his spouse,but next of kin will probably have to pay a small fee[about 20/25 quid]well worth the money to find out your g/fathers war record,mack

Do you know where I can find the address for this place?  Also do you know if I have to have his death certificate, as I know that the Army Records Centre in Glasgow requires proof of death before they release info.

Oh, I have just looked up Kentigern House and it is the Army Records Centre in Glasgow.  I have already tried this source..... they require authorisation for the next of kin, plus a copy of the death certificate.  Without the death certificate they must assume that he is still alive and therefore wont release any info.  As I dont know his date of birth / death I can't get a copy of his death certificate.  I seem to be going round in circles