Help - Finding out of someone was a soldier

[stoves]

Hi all.

As usual, after some help knowing where to start. Now adding wife's side to family tree and we are interested in whether her grandad was in the army at all. No one in family can advise and he has passed, so no army details (if any)...and name relatively common.

David Stewart D.O.B: 14/7/14, lived Coatbridge, think born here too.

How best to start?

Cheers
stovie

[dawnsh]

Hi stovie

It's useful when entering dates in forums to use the full version which prevents confusion for worldwide jurisdictions.

so David Stewart's date of birth is 14 July 1914

[crisane]

The service records for WW11 are still held by the MoD. This means if you were to apply using his birth date and presenting a copy of his death certificate you could lose your 30 pounds if he didn't serve because they do not refund your money.
Just taking a quick look I can see 408 David Stewarts on Forces War Records serving in army, navy, airforce etc.  A lot have middle initials. But these are not service records.

[stoves]

Good point Dawnsh, but you are correct, 14th July 1014.

Thanks Crisane, I had managed a similar search and got similar numbers of David Stewart's, hence my question. Don't fancy throwing money away...so looking for ideas to try narrow things down,

Cheers both. Stovie.

[nanny jan]

Could he have featured on any BMD certificates where his occupation would have been shown? 
 
Of course he might have been in a reserved occupation.