Marriage certificate query/ Military records

[andytilley]

I have a family member who I 99% know re-enlisted into the RAF in 1920. (We need to seek his service records as it appears he was in the RAF for nearly 30 years and being ex services my self, I know this unusual but not against regulations)

He was married in 1923, however his certificate shows him as an "instrument maker"
I have other bits of information from his RAF days pertaining to him working on instruments so it sort of ties in.

My query here is.
My own father is shown on my birth certificate as his Rank and service number in the correct column.

Is it unusual for Military personnel to miss this information on a legal certificate or would "instrument maker" be allowed or was it some regulation during the mid war times he was not allowed to disclose?


second
Military records. The oldest living relative to get military records would be my mother in law where we are trying to get records of her father in the above RAF.
However she is in an old folks home, not particularly compos mentis. she is 90 just gone and wouldn't understand why we are asking her to sign all these forms and things. after just selling her house for her care etc we think it would traumatise her further

Would the next relative in line be able to get the records. he is the grandson and eldest in the line of family. Do MoD really check that in depth?

[km1971]

1.You need to order his record to confirm there was no break in service

2. In theory if her daughter has not obtained legal guardianship of her mother's affairs I do not see how this is different. That said I forged my mother's signature from the age of 12. So either get the mother to sign, or forge her signature and save £30; or apply as if the mother is dead and pay £30. You only have to supply a death certificate of the service person, not all NoKs in between them

Ken

[Jebber]

Read the instructions on the veterans website. Only the spouse can get the records for free, anyone else will have to pay the £30. If your mother in law's father died more than twenty five years ago no NOK consent is needed.

[Sc00p]

What do you mean by re-enlisted in 1920?  The RAF was only formed on 1 Apr 1918.  Was he in the RFC before 1920?  If you have his service number, a bit of googling can give you a pretty good idea of when he enlisted.

[andytilley]

He was in the Army during WW1 and demobbed in October 1919 only to re-enlist into the RAF in 1920. That's what is written in red on the front of his demob to reserve certificate.

Hence the reason we trying to get his service records, it will possibly cost us double, as he was in two services. and we only know the service number on his army records.
We don't even have his RAF number which makes it difficult

Anyone have any ideas on how to get hold of service numbers without any certification etc

We will have to try and see if we can get hold of his death certificate - Is that possible?

[Sc00p]

You may find his service number in the AIR78 index at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/r/C2132.  Use Next 30 on the right until you reach the surname range of interest then click 'Details' and 'Add to basket' to enable you to download and view it locally for free.  Less useful if you have a common surname/initials.

Assuming he died in England or Wales and you need a death certificate, you should order it online direct from the General Register Office http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/.  The information you will need to provide is explained there. 

[km1971]

You should not need a death certificate if he fought in WW1. Even HMG knows that the last veteran died a few years ago.

Ken

[andytilley]

Thanks all

You would think that with the name "George Carruthers" it wouldn't be that hard to find information. However his service information is proving elusive.

I don't want to waste 30 quid not knowing I have the right man and tracing his service number is proving tough to do. I know where he was based on some occasions even have a fair idea where he died, but as far as his records go I am, at my stage of genealogy ...stumped of where to go next!

I thought of back tracing him if that's possible. I know where he was based in Singapore, so I have teamed up on an RAF site and am waiting to see if anyone can help. Other than that has anyone any other ideas where to point next?

[km1971]

Service records after c1920 are classed as private. Only the MOD have legal access to them. Anyone else cannot have the same information without breaking privacy laws. If you do not have his service number the MOD may say they cannot help you. Supplying his date of birth may be enough, but you may get the MOD on a bad day.

If he was in the RAF for 30 years you would expect him to have received a long service medal. If you can find this award list it should give his service number. So start your RAF contacts on that path, or ask on the British Medal Forum.

Ken