Army records

[PAHPERCY]

Can you advise me the best site to look up army records. I think I've found my Grandfather on forcesreunited.org.uk but is this a good site?

Also can anyone tell me what my grandfather would have done in France, he went 14 May 1940 and came back 24 June 1940? He was a Pioneer in the 2nd World War, as he was really too old and I was told it was to do with the evacuation of Dunkirk.

[andycand]

Hi

WW2 Service Records are still held by the Ministry of Defence. Next of kin can apply for a copy

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

Andy

[galland]

Anyone can apply for a copy, but those with next of kins permission only will get the full record.
This is under the '25 years after death' rule after this period the full record is released.
However: £30 search fee non refundable though, even if they can't find it.

[t mo]

hi
i use forces genealogy the other part of forces reunited as far as i,m concerned it,s a good site for searching and reliable .
also for pioneer corps info do a google search several sites come up with historic info on them as to what the pioneers were about  google pioneer corps 1940
regards
trevor

[galland]

Yes, I've used forces reunited's genealogy site too, it's one of my real favourites.
I heard a rumour they're going to release a lot of Boer war stuff they've collated soon, should be interesting!

[t mo]

hi galland
as you say boer war info will be handy mostly i use[ forces ]for crimea records  as far as i can see they are one of the only sites who have info for that online
regards
trevor

[galland]

ah you might be lucky soon then as I'm a member on the FR community site and got chatting to a couple of regulars on there that seem to be in the know: they've quoted 'Crimean war medal roll, Boer war casualty roll, Military courts martials WWI and zulu wars, even a feeble rumour that they could be going even further back than 1630 next year as they have some medieval stuff they're wondering what to do with!

I just dip in & out really WWII is my main interest and of course no one has the full service records yet although I think their importance is over stated really.

[t mo]

hi galland
that sounds good let,s hope it,s correct  we need more records in a wider context , if you hear anything definite put a post in the army section
regards
trevor

[galland]

Just heard for definite Crimean Casualty roll being processed at present, also full rolls for MGSM (peninsular) and Waterloo medal, sounds to me like they're the only ones who are interested in the medal rolls!

I think they just added some WWI naval stuff and I had an email from them last week as they've launched a completely FREE medieval search!

As 99% will never be able to trace relatives back to 1350-1450 it's interesting rather than informative but you can't grumble at free!

The Boer war stuff is on there now: full casualty roll anywhere AFAIAA -76,000 names?

I know they're only a little company who just do dedicated military genealogy and history but I think that's what makes them responsive to what people want really: Victorian wars are very very niche but no one elese seems to be serious about them!