Burnt/Missing Service Records - General

[SmallTownGirl]

Does anyone know how were they filed, please? Before the fire, obviously.   

In straight alphabetical surname order?   In surname order by regiment?  Some other order?

Always wondered why some survived and others didn't and whether anyone has been able to identify any patterns from this that might shed some light.

Anyone any theories, please?

Thanks
STG

[nanny jan]

Not sure if this helps but I found my gt.grandfather, followed by one of his sons on the same film. Same first name but different regiments. Both sets of papers showed slight damage from the fire...slightly charred edges etc.

I assume they were filmed in the order they were filed.

[jim1]

It wasn't just a fire there was bombing so the files get scattered.

[SmallTownGirl]

It wasn't just a fire there was bombing so the files get scattered.

Oh yes, of course.  Silly me! 

STG

[jim1]

Not silly really. If I was doing the filing I'd do it by Regiment & then alphabetical order by surname.
You can imagine looking for a Smith even with a service number with no Regiment to refer to.