How to find regiment and service number?

[kebholes]

I am trying to find my wifes grandfathers ww2 records but i do not know his regiment or service number, His name was Saint Ledger Bullycourt Gabriel Thomas May.
We know he was in crete and was a prisoner of war twice once in 1942 in Mittelsteinie which i think from searching is in poland and the 2nd time was in japan.
i hopefully will attach two photos of him one in the 1st pow camp taken on 22/11/42 and the 2nd looking smart in his uniform
If any one is able to recognise the uniform or has any suggestions it would be greatly appriciated i have ancestry and there are a number of possibles but no one with the whole name although he was known as Jack all his life.
Thank You
Mick

[kebholes]

2nd photo at pow camp

[scrimnet]

Ummmmm....


I'm afraid that the second pic is far too small a scan to give us anything I'm afraid...

The first one, well...That is after his liberation, as it looks like from what I'm afraid is also a very small scan, to be RASC...Royal Army Service Corps.

I'm very surprised that you have anything from Anpestry apart form the POW records....There are x66 Mays so you will have to dig a bit...If he is there...

http://www.rootschat.com/links/09tk/

His service is post 1922 (WW2 much after!  ) and all records are with the MOD. If you have his DOB you dont need his service number to apply, as long as the nearest NOK signs.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/09es/

I'd also be very surprised that a liberated POW would be sent to the Far East betwixt his liberation and VJ Day, to be captured again...And then sent to Japan

[kebholes]

Hi Scrimnet, not sure i fully understand so please excuse my ignorance on this subject..
Who would classify as his next of Kin, i assume wife then children then grand children? If so as his wife [My Nan in law] is alive do i have to get her to sign the papers?
Also his name is very long winded and to our knowledge he never used it, Would the army records be able to find what first name he used as to us he was Jack?
lastly are we ok to assume he was in the Royal Army Service Corps? if so the most likely on ancestry is:
Name: G. T. May
Rank: Private
Army Number: S/168317
Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps
POW Number: 22437
Camp Type: Stalag
Camp Number: VIII-A
Camp Location: Görlitz, Saxony
Record Office: Royal Army Service Corps Record Office, Ore Place, Hastings, Sussex
Record Office Number: 29

Thank you for your help and hopefully you can put me right on the above.

Mick

[scrimnet]

Yes his wife, she is the one to sign...

I would personally give all names, and his "known as" in bracket. The army usually have on record all names.
If you have Anpestry, I would have a punt at that chap...I reckon very strongly that he is your chap...You would then have a confirmation on his service number!

[kebholes]

Scrimnet, your help is invaluable! Just spoken with Nan in law and she confirmed his army number as 8168317 and ancestry has it as S/168317 not sure which number is correct should i provide both?

your help in allowing me to get this far is fantastic and i have printed off the forms ready to pass to nan in law to request the details from the mod, So thank you a million times

Mick

[scrimnet]

No probs...Its what we are here for!


He may have been a transcription error...Anpestry military records are renowned for it!

Provide both, or if nan has some documentary evidence...use that!

[kebholes]

Again a million thanks!

[ADM199]

The P.O.W. Lists  on Ancestry are those compiled in 1945.
These are also at Kew in the WO392/11 File.

My 1944 and 1945 Lists from this Class confirm Ancestry are correct.

Pte G T May S/168317 St. V111A       POW No 22437 . It looks as though the S has been read as 8.

It is possible that he made a report when Liberated. This would be at Kew in WO 344/215/2.