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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: iwccc on Sunday 19 April 20 13:37 BST (UK)

Title: Finding a soldiers records
Post by: iwccc on Sunday 19 April 20 13:37 BST (UK)
Can anyone help me?  I am trying to find the actual records of a soldier in WW2.  He was at one stage a Rat of Tobruk and later was called out of this unit to join his brother in another.
I am keen to trace the battles in which he fought, what life was like.  I believe he put his age up to join up.  I can find his basis record but need help In tracing the other information.  His name is Walter Charles Horsfall  NX 11278. enlisted at Paddington NSW.  He apparently was 'a last man standing' in one particular incident could not get a citation for it as there were no officers still alive - or so I am led to believe.  Any help would be greatly appreciated as his family know nothing of his time in the Army and we now feel it is time to find. out more.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Finding a soldiers records
Post by: Crumblie on Sunday 19 April 20 14:04 BST (UK)
Those records are still with the MOD, you can buy them but will have to provide a copy of his death certificate and £30 this link will help https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records
Title: Re: Finding a soldiers records
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 19 April 20 14:10 BST (UK)
It looks like his service records are not yet digitised:

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=4927909&isAv=N

You can request a copy (on the right of the blue bar), but I believe there is a cost involved. Details should be on the site somewhere. Alternatively you can wait till they eventually get round to digitising them.  :-\

This tells you which battalion he was in:
https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=130496&c=WW2
Some research might tell you more.

He does not appear here though I don't know the coverage or how comprehensive it is:
 http://www.ratsoftobrukassociation.org.au/index.htm
Title: Re: Finding a soldiers records
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 19 April 20 14:32 BST (UK)
It looks like Walter only added a year to his age - when he enlisted he said he was born in 1919 but his birth was registered in 1920 (father William H and mother Sarah), though I presume you already have this information.  :)

Added: there is tons of information online about the Rats of Tobruk.
Title: Re: Finding a soldiers records
Post by: iwccc on Tuesday 21 April 20 06:06 BST (UK)
Thank you for your post.  I should have made it clearer that this time I am looking for Australian Soldiers.  I will be checking out British Navy a little later so your suggestion is of value. Thanks again
Title: Re: Finding a soldiers records
Post by: iwccc on Tuesday 21 April 20 06:08 BST (UK)
Thanks Ruskie,  I have checked out these sites - very helpful.  I now need to find out what battles he was in - especially to pinpoint the heroic incident that was attributed to him.  I must get hold of his service records. Thanks for help