Military information around 1970

[Mamspice]

Hi, does anyone know how I can get hold of information from the 1970s? I have the names of 2 brothers and I know 1 of them was in the army but I can't find which one. Tia

[GrahamSimons]

Officers - you'll need a copy of the Army List (in genealogical libraries such as the Society of Genealogists), or to search dates of commission and promotion in the London Gazette online https://www.thegazette.co.uk/ (though its search engine is a bit clunky). This will give you headlines only, not a record of service.
Other Ranks, and officers' service - records are with the MoD and in the (l-o-n-g) process of being transferred to the National Archives. Details here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

[Andy J2022]

You are highly unlikely to be able to obtain any official records unless you can prove both brothers are dead, and even then, if you are not closely related, the MOD may refuse your request if you only have a couple of names and no other details. Just to correct what GrahamSimons has said, records of those who served after 1963 have not been transferred to the National Archives.

If the brothers are now dead - which I assume to be the case otherwise you could ask them - it will cost you £30 for each enquiry, so possibly best to apply for one at a time if you choose to go down this route. https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service/apply-for-the-records-of-a-deceased-serviceperson

Do you have any other information about the one who did join up, for instance a Regiment or even the branch of the Army he might have joined? If you do know this information you could look to see if there is a Regimental museum who may hold some documenation on former soldiers. Alternatively try googling the Regimental Association. These organisations exist for the Regiment's old comrades and will often have a list of soldiers who served between particular dates. They may even have a Facebook page. And lastly, and very much a long shot,  there may be an online archive of the regimental magazine. You would then need to trawl through dozens or even hundreds of back copies to see if his name was mentioned in an article in the magazine.  Units and subunits within a regiment or corps would regularly submit articles about the social, sporting, military and other activities their soldiers were involved in.
Examples include: The Gunner for the Royal Artillery, the The Britannia and Castle  (this is just one of several magazines the Royal Anglian Regiment have produced over the decades) or the Pioneer (journal of the Royal Pioneer Corps), just mention three random examples.  But be aware that since the 1970s a number of Regiments and Corps have amalgamated or changed their names. The Royal Pioneer Corps for example is now part of the Royal Logistic Corps.

[tonepad]

Also try entering their names in the Newspaper Archive and see if there are any results which include military ranks, units etc.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/


Tony

[Mamspice]

Thanks for the info guys 

[SiGr]

Depending on which Regiment or Corps they were each in, you could also search online for their Regimental/Corps journals. These can sometimes contain a great deal of information (as well as photos) such as postings in and out, promotions, retirements, awards, courses attended, etc. as well as details on operational tours, exercises, unit moves, sports and social events, etc.