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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: MonicaL on Sunday 26 August 18 11:56 BST (UK)
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Just a general question if someone could help here (related to this post www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=797914.0).
What is the position on applying for WW2 service records with the following criteria:
- You are not direct family
- You do not have an exact DOB or death cert
- You know approx birth year c. 1908-11 (therefore, one would say very likely deceased)
- You have regiment, rank and service number. You also have some service record details and possible discharge date
Using this for reference www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records
Thank you :)
Monica
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Thank you Monica ;)
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You can't apply for anyone else's records unless you can prove that they have died - hence the need for a death certificate ::)
If they died more than 25 years ago, you don't need next-of-kin's permission/approval.
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Thank you, KGarrad. I saw that from the guidance notes on the link above.
In the absence of a death cert, and likely age of that person today being 107-111, wondered whether there was further options to apply for service records with some bio details?
Monica
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As far as I can tell - no death certificate = no records available. Simples ;D
This is the MOD you are dealing with! They have procedures that MUST be followed ;D
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Always an issue for sure.... :-\
Monica
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I'm sure KGarrad is correct, but there is no harm in putting in an application nevertheless. You can add additional information on a separate piece of paper to support your application (and to try to persuade them). They can only say no. :)
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They can only say no. :)
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I think though that it still costs £30. :-\
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They can only say no. :)
I think though that it still costs £30. :-\
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Good point, however I believe they don't charge if they don't issue the records. Well worth checking though.
I very much doubt they will issue if you don't dot all the 'i's and cross all the 't's, but depending on the circumstances and reason for wanting the service records, they may oblige. :-\
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I am sure as you say Rosie that the admin fee could well apply regardless. Maybe worth asking that question on the phone first? A Help Desk tel no here www.army.mod.uk/personnel-and-welfare/army-personnel-centre/
Just wondered whether anyone had ever asked that question?
Monica
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https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel#administration-fee
The information that is held on individuals varies depending on which service they served with, when they served and the length of their service. In a small number of cases little or no information may be held. Applicants should be aware that the £30 administration fee is non-refundable whatever the outcome of the search.
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When I applied for service records a while back they offered to return my cheque as they anticipated a long wait for records, so they don't always keep the £30. :)
I think rosie's example of the non refundable £30 relates to the amount of information rather than refusal to supply the records because not all the requirements have been met. (and keeping the fee anyway)
I may be wrong, but I see this as two slightly different things.
A phone call or email (if they 'do' emails) might clarify.
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I suppose it could depend as to how much work they have done to locate it. :-\
I recently applied for a record for someone whose death cert and medal card I have. Apart from that I don't know who he is but know who I hope he is - first names are the wrong way round.
I gave some extra information and have been given the option to cancel my application but they cannot confirm whether they are for the person who I am looking for or not. I have not been able to locate a birth registration for the person whose records these are, hence my dilemma. ;D I am now waiting patiently for the postman ;D
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Has the prospective applicant tried to find the person's death details and hence get a death certificate?
MaxD
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I suppose it could depend as to how much work they have done to locate it. :-\
I recently applied for a record for someone whose death cert and medal card I have. Apart from that I don't know who he is but know who I hope he is - first names are the wrong way round.
I gave some extra information and have been given the option to cancel my application but they cannot confirm whether they are for the person who I am looking for or not. I have not been able to locate a birth registration for the person whose records these are, hence my dilemma. ;D I am now waiting patiently for the postman ;D
There seems to be a little flexibility regarding applications. :) I think in Monica's example, they will not even start the search if they refuse to accept the application without a d/c.
PS. I hope your man is who you want him to be rosie. :)
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It is often forgotten that their main priority is dealing with current service personnel and pensioners, other requests have to be regarded as secondary, without the required documentation they are more time consuming.
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Has the prospective applicant tried to find the person's death details and hence get a death certificate?
MaxD
Yes, MaxD. Link added above. OP has a few key details in the middle of all of this...but missing the key data of birth and death either side to be able to move forward with this at the moment.
This photograph is taken in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, in 1940, ‘41 or ’42 of Corporal Donald Cameron.
We are trying to find him or anyone who might have known him.
The information I have about him is:
He was in The Faroe Islands with The Lovat Scouts during WW2, and left the islands in June 1942.
He was a sniper and left the army in November 1943.
He was born in Inverness around 1908-1911.
His army service number was 326136
In our research we have had contact to The Highlanders Museum-Fort George, Personal Army Center and others, who have given us the information they could, but still not enought to let us find him.
Monica
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www.sundaypost.com/fp/operation-valentinefaroe-island-mans-mission-to-find-his-highland-heritagean-operation-called-valentine-a-wartime-romance-a-broken-heart-and-a-search-for-my-long-lost-great-grandfather/
Will explain the background to this search....
Monica
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Wow. What a story.
With a name like Donald Cameron it's lucky you know his service number.
I'm not sure if explaining to the MOD with the reason for the search and providing links to the article will help? It probably won't do any harm. :-\
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Quote from that newspaper article:
'We know they loved each other, but apart from his regiment, where he was from and the year he was born, we have no other information'
so what year was it, as we have been told 1908 - 1911?
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To cast a dampener on this, since he was around 30 years of age it's quite possible he was already married back home??
Annette