My father

[Marianthompson47]

Hello. I hope someone can help me please.

In 2023, I wrote to the MOD to access service records for my father, giving them his service number, full name and date of birth.

They responded saying his details were not with the MOD and had been transferred to the National Archives.

However, they do not explain when such records of interest will be made available.
My father was born 4th May 1908.

The MOD gave me an index number saying they are transferring details to the National Archives.


Thank you

EDIT. Where would I put my father's Service number when searching the National archives please? It is not clear whether it will take numbers?

[ShaunJ]

See https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mod-open-foi-request-step1

Also try a search in the National Archives catalogue for his name and service number to see if his records have been indexed yet:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

[Marianthompson47]

Thank you Shaun. I have attempted to search in TNA. There are so many entries it will take me ages to sift through the results.
I need patience.

[Andy J2022]

Thank you Shaun. I have attempted to search in TNA. There are so many entries it will take me ages to sift through the results.
I need patience.

Marian,
You say in the first posting that you have your father's Army number. If you search the National Archives using just his number and surname, that will narrow down the search as Army numbers for this period (post 1920) are unique. Often with TNA's Discovery it is better to include fewer details in an initial search. For instance putting his forenames may result in the entries which just refer to his initials not showing up in the search results.

[Marianthompson47]

Thank you very much!! I will try again.

[scrimnet]

Thank you Shaun. I have attempted to search in TNA. There are so many entries it will take me ages to sift through the results.
I need patience.

Marian,
You say in the first posting that you have your father's Army number. If you search the National Archives using just his number and surname, that will narrow down the search as Army numbers for this period (post 1920) are unique. Often with TNA's Discovery it is better to include fewer details in an initial search. For instance putting his forenames may result in the entries which just refer to his initials not showing up in the search results.

They are mostly unique,  some numbers are repeated.
Army Order 338 of 1920 gave block allocations if numbers to each regiment.
These were then superceeded in 1942 by the General Service Corps Army Numbers which have no regimental affiliation