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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Sue15 on Monday 26 March 18 14:00 BST (UK)

Title: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in
Post by: Sue15 on Monday 26 March 18 14:00 BST (UK)

Hello
I would like to apply to the MOD for my Grandfather's Second World War Uk service record. The problem I have, is to work out which of the three services he served in ie Army, Navy or RAF.

I do not have any photographs of my Grandfather in uniform. My father once told me my Grandfather's job was to help build landing strips/runways which would fit as he drove a steamroller as a civilian occupation. I believe he had to carry out this work in the most adverse of circumstances.

Would this be something the Army would have undertaken, I am thinking of Royal Engineers or Pioneer Corp or would the RAF have done this?

Any help would be much appreciated as I am not sure if I can obtain the service records otherwise.

Many thanks in anticipation

kind wishes

Sue

Title: Re: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in
Post by: MaxD on Wednesday 28 March 18 10:24 BST (UK)

The RAF had an airfield construction branch and both the RE and Pioneers would be a good fit, RN less likely I would have thought.  That gets us no further though!  Are there any clues at all in the family, like numbers that could be service numbers or units - were there any children born/did he marry while he was serving?  Is his name distinctive in any way - I see you have a lot of wide-spread Welsh names but the odd outlier in your profile, RAF names can be searched although it is not a complete record and only works if the name/initials are distinctive enough.

The application process does say that fees are not refundable.  However, I did have my cheque returned by the army when they found no record of my man.  Try telephoning Glasgow to double check on the policy on refunds - my thought process is if they will refund, then apply anyway.

Not much help I'm afraid.

MaxD

Title: Re: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in
Post by: Sue15 on Wednesday 28 March 18 17:50 BST (UK)

Hello MaxD

I greatly appreciate your email.
Unfortunately all children were born by the time war broke out and the surname Howell is not unique sadly.

You are right I need to bite the bullet and apply to one out of the three and hope for a refund if my best guess is wrong. I am going to go for Army. Somehow I just could not imagine my Grandfather in the RAF. I seem to remember a photo of a man in Army uniform in my Grand mother's house so I will take my chance.

You have given me the impetus to make a decision. Thank you.

Best wishes

Sue

Title: Re: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in
Post by: MaxD on Wednesday 28 March 18 19:09 BST (UK)

Good decision and good luck!

MaxD