Blinded in WW2 Royal Engineers..but how?

[zebedee]

Trying to find service history for my father-in-law who served in the Corps of Royal Engineers 1938-1943. He was blinded in 1942 whilst on active service and we are curious to know how he was blinded as he never spoke about it. It was always referred to as an accident and he received a We have his pay book with his service numberfull war pension. We believe that he may have been in bomb disposal. Any help to get to the bottom of this would be very much appreciated. We have his pay book and his service number.
Any help would be much appreciated. Thankyou.

[zebedee]

OOps..I messed up that email....supposed to say he had a full war pension and we have his pay book and service number!

[casalguidi]

Hi

His personnel records will still be with the Ministry of Defence.  They will require proof of kinship if he is now deceased and, as I understand it, will release information to the next of kin ..............

http://www.army.mod.uk/contacts/divisions/records.htm

War diaries of WW2 action/regiments are with the National Archives, Kew, London - see their information leaflets for the British Army:

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[zebedee]

Many thanks...we will try that.

[manmack]

zebedee,only the spouse is given free access,if you or your partner apply you will be charged about 25 quid,write on behalf of your mum in law and as is mentioned,you need proof,a copy of his marriage cert and his details from his paybook will be enough,mack

[zebedee]

Thankyou so much for that tip. My mother-in-law is still alive, so we can do that..AND save money!
Many thanks once again.

[Gaz Simmons]

Hi,

I am on the committee of the Bomb Disposal Branch of the Royal Engineers Association.

If you contact me on the below email I will give you the address of the Secretary who will be willing to put out a request for information, as we still have 80 of our members who served during WW2 and they may have worked with your father.

(email removed and re-sent by personal mail)

[FOSIIL]

Hi
I saw your post and the reply from a mate of mine Gaz Simmons. Was your father in law Wally Thomas if so i do have the details.

Pete Markham

[zebedee]

Hi,

Not sure if you received my reply? My father-in-law was Ernie (Ernest) Cookson.

Thanks,