Army numbers

[Benzol]

I am trying to trace my nephew's grandfather's army record. Can anybody help please?

He joined the RE as a sapper c.1914 and was allocated a number "22942"
 
He died still in service c 1937 as "RSM Arthur John KEANE" number unknown.

Apparently the army gave all serving members new numbers c. 1922

Can the new number be determined from the old, Please?

Thanks Benzol

[crisane]

He died still in service c 1937 as "RSM Arthur John KEANE" number unknown

Because he served after 1920 his service records will still be with the MoD. Your nephew can apply for them but at the moment there is a wait of at least 18 months. Hopefully this will get shorter as work practices return to "normal."

This is where you can download the application forms. Your nephew will need to pay 30 pounds, provide Arthur John Keane's date of birth and a copy of his death certificate.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

You will not need his service number to apply for the records.

[KGarrad]

I don't think you need the death certificate if he died in service?

I applied several years ago in similar circumstances; no death cert was required.

[crisane]

I don't think you need the death certificate if he died in service?

I applied several years ago in similar circumstances; no death cert was required.

Thanks for pointing that out.  I overlooked the reference to his death in service. Duh.

[Benzol]

Thank you for the information, I will forward it to my nephew.

Benzol

[Jomot]

According to his obituary he was with the 49th (West Riding) Divisional Signals when he died, which was a territorial unit.

[Benzol]

Jomot

Thanks for the added information.

Not knowing anything about forces records it leaves me scratching my head.

Where do I look for AJK's service record?
Will it still be with the MOD?
Is it possible to tell when he joined the Territorials?
Does the service record get passed on to some other organisation when you join the Territorials?
Is it possible to see the AJK obituary?

Sorry for being such a pain. I seem to have opened up a hornet's nest.

Benzol

[Jomot]

I don't think I can post the obituary due to copyright etc, but he died in 1936, not 1937.  He was buried at Harehills Cemetery with full military honours on 13 Feb 1936, section Q 365.  His headstone is a little worn but reads as follows:

RSM J Keane
Royal Signals
In memory of a very cheerful comrade
who died 9th February 1936
erected by all ranks and friends
of the 49th (W.R) divisional signals T.A
and Air Contingent Signals S.R

As far as I'm aware his records should still be with the MoD.  For info, I have a family member who recently served full-time with the Reserves (which is something I didn't know could happen, until it did!) so its possible he was still in full-time service, even though he was with the territorials.

ADDED: Although his headstone says only J Keane, his burial record is as Arthur John Keane.

[Gwil]

There are a few family trees for him on Ancestry.

One has it that his son Ronald Arthur Keane was born 11th June 1926 at Tidworth Army Camp, Wiltshire. This suggest that Arthur was a serving soldier at that time.

The other son Peter John Keane was born in June 1921 at Hitchin.

One/both of their birth certificates may have Arthur's army number on it?