Soldiers Will

[mlmcholm]

Would anyone know if a soldier in WW2 would make a will either when he joined up or was posted overseas? I am trying to establish the year he enlisted. He was Thomas Kellet and served in the 2nd Battalion East Lancs Regiment. He died in Burma in 1944. Many thanks as always.

[Andy J2022]

Soldiers were encouraged to make a will once they joined an operational unit, usually straight after completing their initial training. There was no compulsion. The Army provided simple forms* for the purpose and the rules for Army wills are much more flexible than ordinary wills. For example a soldier under 18 years of age can make a serviceman's will, but a civilian of the same age couldn't.

*Today the equivalent is called the MOD Form 106 and is used by all three services.

[mlmcholm]

Soldiers were encouraged to make a will once they joined an operational unit, usually straight after completing their initial training. There was no compulsion. The Army provided simple forms* for the purpose and the rules for Army wills are much more flexible than ordinary wills. For example a soldier under 18 years of age can make a serviceman's will, but a civilian of the same age couldn't.

*Today the equivalent is called the MOD Form 106 and is used by all three services.

Thanks for that. He did do a will that was dated 1941, so I take it that was when he enlisted.

[cath151]

Probably not him, surnameslightly different but there is this....
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/search-results

Cathy
Added
Thomas Kellett 29th Oct 1944  3388476

[mlmcholm]

Probably not him, surnameslightly different but there is this....
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/search-results

Cathy
Added
Thomas Kellett 29th Oct 1944  3388476

Thank you. Yes that is him

[Andy J2022]

Thanks for that. He did do a will that was dated 1941, so I take it that was when he enlisted.

Don't forget that if his circumstances changed he might have made a new will. For instance if he got engaged or married prior to going overseas, the will he made in 1941 may not have been his first while in the Army. Have you tried to get his service record? That would tell you for certain when he enlisted.