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Author Topic: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London  (Read 193 times)
Barbara348
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Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« on: Saturday 24 October 09 14:30 UTC (UK) »
Hi,

Can anyone tell me please from what date  Army Service
Records were stored in London.

My Gt Uncle was discharged from the Army during the 1920's and I've been given to believe  that his records were destroyed during the WW2 bombing of the Army Record Centre.

I thought that  the records of soldiers who served in WW1 only were destroyed in 1940 and that regular soldier's records were held elsewhere..

Can someone just clear the picture for me please?

Cheers

Barbara.
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Williams. Jones. Howell.Marshall.Frew. Finn.
forester
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Posts: 1891
Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 24 October 09 22:33 UTC (UK) »
Hello Barbara,

"In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers' documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the 'burnt documents'. "

Taken from here: http://www.rootschat.com/links/07cm/

Also this link:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/service_records/sr_soldiers.htm

Phil
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Barbara348
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Posts: 453


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Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 25 October 09 07:20 UTC (UK) »
Hi Phil,

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, I understand about the fire in WW2 destroying all those records but I'm just trying to find out if the records of all soldiers discharged from the Army up until 1940 were stored  in London.

Just really trying to confirm that as  my Gt uncle was discharged in the mid 1920's, would his records have been stored in London and therefore probably burnt along with all the others.

Cheers

Barbara.
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Williams. Jones. Howell.Marshall.Frew. Finn.
spof
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.natio
Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 25 October 09 08:49 UTC (UK) »
Hi Barbara

AS he was still serving in the mid 1920s, the MoD will still have his records.


http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

glen
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Barbara348
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Posts: 453


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Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 25 October 09 09:59 UTC (UK) »
Hi glen,

Thanks for the info.

However, I've just looked at the link you gave me to the Veteran's- uk and it states that the records of Army Other Ranks who enlisted prior to 1920 were transferred to the National Archives.

As my Uncle must have enlisted in the early 1900's, I assume then that his records are probably at Kew and not with the MOD Historical Documents office up in Glasgow.

Am I reading that correctly?

Barbara.
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Williams. Jones. Howell.Marshall.Frew. Finn.
andycand
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 25 October 09 10:06 UTC (UK) »
Hi

The reference to the 1920's relates to the date their service ended not the date of enlistment.

Andy
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Barbara348
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(Virture in difficulty)
Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 25 October 09 10:32 UTC (UK) »
Hi Andy,

Now I'm really mixed up, I just knew I'd get it wrong. Embarrassed

As my Uncle was one of the Army Other Ranks who enlisted prior to 1920 and was discharged in the 1920's,  where are his Service Records held?

Barbara.
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Williams. Jones. Howell.Marshall.Frew. Finn.
km1971
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Posts: 2729


Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 25 October 09 10:37 UTC (UK) »
The MOD. If you haven't got his service number you are taking a risk of not receiving anything for your £30. Sometimes people have received information by supplying just a date of birth, but the MOD do not offer guarantees (or refunds). You will definitely need a copy of his death certificate.

Ken
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andycand
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 25 October 09 10:43 UTC (UK) »
Hi Barbara

My understanding is that if his service ended after 1920 (irrespective of when it commenced) then the records are held by the MOD and not the National Archives.

If you go to the link supplied by Glen and click on the Army badge towards the bottom of the page you will find additional information. This also explains that you have to be the next of kin or have permission from the next of kin to apply, there is also a charge of 30GDP.

Andy
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Barbara348
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Posts: 453


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Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #9 on: Sunday 25 October 09 11:33 UTC (UK) »
Hi Ken,

Thanks for the info.

The old soldier concerned is my husband's Uncle and we do have a copy of his death certificate.Although he was married, he didn't have any children.

We do have a copy of his Medal card from the National Archives which shows him as having 2 army numbers, his Rank and his Regt.

Hopefully this information should be enough for the MOD, otherwise £30.00 is a lot of money if there's no return on it.

Cheers

Barbara.
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Williams. Jones. Howell.Marshall.Frew. Finn.
Barbara348
RootsChat Senior
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Posts: 453


(Virture in difficulty)
Re: Date storage began of Army Service Records in London
« Reply #10 on: Sunday 25 October 09 11:36 UTC (UK) »
Hello Andy,

Thanks for helping to clarify the matter for me, I'll go and have another look at the site that Glen mentioned and learn a bit more !!

Cheers

Barbara.
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