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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: haux on Tuesday 13 February 18 16:21 GMT (UK)
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Hi there,
I was wondering if someone a little more clued up on this could help me out. I'm trying to track down more info & photos on two of my relatives that fought during WW2.
Sgt James Duffy
Sgt Laurie Duffy
They were both in the same division '49th West Riding division' and from Otley (Leeds). They were both Royal Artillery but I can't find records anywhere (probably because I'm searching in the wrong places.)
I know from stories that my granddad told me that they were in Iceland, Europe & then shelled the 'bejesus' out of Osenbruck in 1945?
I've attached a photo of them both together in Iceland below.
Thanks!
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You can't find their records because WW2 records are still held by MOD, you will have to apply for them to be able to follow their war. https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records
MaxD
Something to read meanwhile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49th_(West_Riding)_Infantry_Division you'll note the division had its fair share of artillery units so you need their records to know which unit they were in to follow them properly.
There is some bibliography at the bottom, you may be able to get a book or two from the library.
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Welcome to Rootschat. :)
I applied for a record last year and it took about 6 weeks to arrive.
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Ok brill, thanks for the help.
So once I get these records I'll know what unit & then what resources are there for media & other things?
Thanks
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Yes, their units within the division are an essential starting point.
And a belated welcome also, do come back when you hva e the records if you need more help.
MaxD
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Getting the info from MOD is hard because I have no way to contact his sons/daughters - however I found a letter.
Service number: 817525
B.S.M Duffy - 69th Field Regiment
E’ Troop, 448 Battery
Is this the info I'd need?
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I'm afraid it is a bit more than that you need as the link to the gov.uk web site explains. Need to take this slowly:
When did he die and do you have a copy of his death certificate? Do you have his date of birth? As you can't contact his sons or daughters you will only get the bare minimum of information if he died less than 25 years ago, a little more if he died more than 25 years ago: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/545056/request_service_details_general_enquirers_pt1_v6.pdf
There is also something not quite right about his number. The number belongs to a different name according to the Royal Artillery attestations book. There is a James Gavan Duffy (no further detail) with a number that starts 817 enlisted in 1932 - does that sound right for your man?
Better news is that the regiment (pedantically he was in E Troop of 448 Battery of 69 Field Regiment) has come up before on Rootschat in this thread http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=716688.0 and Andy has listed the war diaries for the regiment that can be obtained from the National Archives. Without his record we don't know whether he was in that regiment throughout but if he joined pre war and he was in Iceland and later Germany then you'd have to take a view although getting all the war diaries would not be a cheap process even through the more reasonable copying services that exist.
Sorry about the battering - can I suggest we look first at the getting of his records and see where you are with date of birth, death date and certificate?
MaxD
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Thanks Max,
James Gavan Duffy is correct & it's actually 817232, handwriting for that time was so neat you can't actually read it haha
I spoke with my grandad who confirmed with me that he stayed with the 69th right up till 1945, along side his brother Lawrence (Laurie). I have a picture of their cap badge too which got passed down.
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Getting there! 817232 joined on 28 January 1932 and was discharged on 10 March 1946.
The badge you show is not his cap badge but his badge of rank as a Warrant Officer Class 2 and from the post card we see he held the appointment of Battery Sergeant Major, the senior non commissioned man in the battery.
MaxD
Was the brother Laurence Sydney, joined in 1930??
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That correct mate, looks like DOB - 25th september 1911.
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How is it going with the list of requirements for his record? Is he (James Gavan) the 1975 death in Australia?
MaxD
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I'm working on other family members at the moment trying to get them to put me in touch with people who may know his sons/grandsons.
I've just been piecing some stuff together on Ancestry, it looks like:
James Gavan Duffy was born on the 21st of January 1915
Laurie (lawrence) Sydney Duffy was born on the 25th of September 1911
I can't find anything about their deaths however according to family, that side did move to Australia so you might be onto something there!
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Lawrence Sidney Duffy with the birth date you give died in the first quarter of 1990 in the Carlisle area.
The death for James Gavan Duffy was 10 Oct 1972 (1975 was the probate date) in Klingner Road Redcliffe Queensland. This doesn't have an age or birth date so guesswork from the name and the probate being in England may suggest the right man? Father Peter Duffy, mother Mary Ann O'Connor.
MaxD
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I really appreciate your help mate! I'll get this plugged into Ancestry & see if anything pings up RE their kids!
How did you find this info? Thanks
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The Lawrence info comes from FreeBMD. The James Gavan is from the wills/probate area of Ancestry and also from the Queensland BMD accessible via https://www.nla.gov.au/research-guides/australian-birth-marriage-and-death-records/queensland
For children try using FreeBMD looking for births with fathers name and mothers maiden name and cross checking the area (Duffy being a common name). That covers England and Wales at least.
MaxD
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Looks like the Lawrence info is right, however james info is wrong - his parents were James gavan Duffy (same name so nice and confusing) and Ada Arandall. - Can find a lot in here.
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/104060190/person/380036920702/story
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Just need to correct my earlier post, the Lawrence Sidney info also came from Ancestry.
The other one died 2 October 1991 in Washingborough Lincolnshire, Ancestry have him as James Gavin Duffy but the birth date checks with the one you gave/
MaxD.
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Thanks mate! That makes sense.
It's weird that my ancestry discovery didn't bring up either of these but I'm guessing its down to the typos!
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Looks like your family tree software has a glitch! Ada Duffy died in Scarborough not Albemarle Virginia!!
You now have the detail you need to get James' death cert if you wish.
MaxD