South Africans in WW2

[BumbleB]

I'm currently staying in South Africa with friends, and we have come across war medals for 1226 VO Kirk and 211363 J Goncalves.  Any ideas as to where we can find additional information on these two gentlemen? 

Many thanks.

[Maggsie]

I searched and these are the results.
There is another ..... Armindo J Goncalves, not yours I don't think.
Maggsie

J . Goncalves
 in the South Africa, Military Index, 1853 - 2004
Name:   J . Goncalves
Military Date:   1987
Rank or Designation:   Rifleman
Corps:   ARMY
War:   SWA Border War
Collection:   World (Global) War Honour Records, 1879 - 2004

J Goncalves
 in the UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960
 View

Name:   J Goncalves
Gender:   Male
Age:   36
Birth Date:   abt 1863
Departure Date:   3 Aug 1899
Port of Departure:   Southampton, England
Destination Port:   Madeira, Portugal
Ship Name:   Dunolly Castle
Search Ship Database:   Search for the Dunolly Castle in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database

Shipping line:   Castle Line
Official Number:   108163
Master:   D Wallace

[BumbleB]

Many thanks Maggsie - however I think that the first one is too late, and the second too early    The medal is for WW 2 and so 1939-1945.

[Maggsie]

Try the nationalarchives.gov.uk
This is Kew.
You can search by service number.
Maggsie

[Drew5233]

Try the nationalarchives.gov.uk
This is Kew.
You can search by service number.
Maggsie

The only information the National Archives hold on individual soldiers from WW2 is the citations for gallantry awards. Service Records are still with the Ministry of Defence. I suspect the same would apply in South Africa for South African soldiers.

[Drew5233]

A quick google search later:

Any request for information on South African Military Personnel from 1910 up to the present day should be addressed to:

 Department of Defence Command & Management
 Information Systems Division
 Documentation Centre
 Private Bag X289
 PRETORIA 0001
 SOUTH AFRICA

 Tel:  (27) 12 339 4611 Fax:  (27) 12 339 4631
 E-mail:  sandfdoc@mweb.co.za

[BumbleB]

Many thanks.  Now my friend has somewhere in South Africa to contact.

Greatly appreciated.

[ScouseBoy]

Has somebody still got their medals?  If so can you describe the ribbons please?

South Africa provided troops for the North Africa campaigns during WW2

[alanmack]

And Italy after that.