WW2 Service Records

[mentmore]

I'm looking for the service records for Frank Hugh Varney in WW2.
He was, I believe, in the Royal Artillery.
Any information would be welcome, for his son in Australia.

Thank you.

[Ruskie]

If he was a UK serviceman his records are available at a cost of £30:
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

If he was an Australian serviceman, most records are available to view free online:
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/army-wwii.aspx

[mentmore]

Hi Ruskie

He was a UK serviceman, can't you sometimes view records on FindMyPast or Ancestry?

[Ruskie]

No, full service records are only available from the MOD I'm afraid. Don't be tempted to pay for subscriptions to sites which infer that you can view WW2 service records online because you can't.

I'm sure you will find the records worth the cost.

Added: for airservice personnel there are some records http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-air-force-personnel/ though I have no experience with this site.

[mentmore]

Thanks Ruskie

I pass this information over to his son in Australia.

[Ruskie]

All the information he needs about applying for the service records is on the website.

If he does not have his father's service number he can still apply with name and birth date and place. He will need a copy of his father's death certificate. Then there is the £30 payment which might be the trickiest for him. I'm not sure if the MOD accept credit card payments yet (it used to be cheque only). Everything he needs to know will be on the site though. 

If you or he have any queries, just ask on here and I'm sure someone will be able to help.

Added: Not much chance of this as time passes, but if his mother is still alive, she is entitled to a copy of her husband's service records at no cost.