WW2 POW

[LynE57]

I've noticed a couple of posts saying you can't get service records unless you are next of kin.  Sometimes you can.  For deceased service personnel, provided they died at least 25 years ago you can get the full record, but minimal details only if they have been dead for a shorter time.  There is a different form to fill in, but it's clearly labelled as "general enquiry" rather than "next-of-kin" enquiry on the records website.  I've done it and it works.

Hope this helps someone.

Since I'm here, I don't suppose anyone remembers anything about two Royal Welch Fusiliers captured at St Venant in May 1940 and taken to Stalag XXA?  They were John Hugh Edwards and Llewelyn Lewis, cousins from Merionethshire.  Both were Welsh speaking, and Llewelyn Lewis wrote poetry in Welsh in the camp.  He died in Stalag XXA in September 1941.

[Billy Anderson]

Hi Lyn E57
Welcome to rootschat.
Thanks for the info on war records i will give it a go.
I have just typed Stalag xxa into  Google and a heap of websites appeared,
one is
www.wartimememories.co.uk/pow/stalag20a-2.html.
good luck,Billy.

[mixerman41]

Regarding Service Records, these are available from Kentigern House, Glasgow, Next of kin charge is £30 & a few years ago, i waited over 1 year for my late Dad's, But we have just applied for my late Brother in Laws & been notifed it could take approx 6 months wait now.
Re, WW2, POW's, we applied to the ICRed Cross @ Geneva, {they have a website} & filled in the online form with what we knew about my Br in Law & they replied, because my Wife was seeking info on her Brother, the search was free, & they told us it could be a long wait! We got a letter back within 1 week, with his POW info & where he was captured, treated, Stalag Camps & when he was repatriated. Well worth a try & no charge, but i felt a small donation to them very worthy. Mixerman

[LynE57]

Glasgow are slow aren't they.  And I do agree about the Red Cross.  Apart from their work now I'm sure my father and others would have starved at the rate the Russian prisoners did without them.

[Billy Anderson]

Regarding Service Records, these are available from Kentigern House, Glasgow, Next of kin charge is £30 & a few years ago, i waited over 1 year for my late Dad's, But we have just applied for my late Brother in Laws & been notifed it could take approx 6 months wait now.
Re, WW2, POW's, we applied to the ICRed Cross @ Geneva, {they have a website} & filled in the online form with what we knew about my Br in Law & they replied, because my Wife was seeking info on her Brother, the search was free, & they told us it could be a long wait! We got a letter back within 1 week, with his POW info & where he was captured, treated, Stalag Camps & when he was repatriated. Well worth a try & no charge, but i felt a small donation to them very worthy. Mixerman

The website is   www.icrc.org
cheers,Billy.