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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: LenaGarner on Sunday 27 September 20 21:12 BST (UK)
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Hi All,
I have been searching for my Grandfathers army records but no matter where i search it doesn't show anything - not even a match for his name!
His name is Robert Coleman - could also be known as Robert Peter Coleman, apparently he added the Peter in himself but think this was post army!
I know he was born 3rd Nov 1919 in Knaresborough North Yorkshire and joined the army young - my mum seems to think he lied about his age to get into the army which would suggest his DOB would be different on his records.
I'm also told he received a letter from King Olav of Norway - suggesting he perhaps served there?
The only other thing i have to go on is this photograph of him. I am fully aware that all service records post WW1 are held solely by the MOD but all i would like to know is what regiment he served in at least.
I'm also told he was a boxer in the army too and went by the name of 'Chick Coleman'
any help is much appreciated!
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He was a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery.
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Have you tried applying for his service records with the details you know about him?
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/913064/NOK_request_service_details.pdf
If he fibbed about his date of birth they probably won’t be able to find that name associated with his true dob. In this case I am not sure what the next step would be. Someone might be able to advise.
You could include a note with your application telling them about the possible fib about the age etc, in the hope that they might be willing to search further for you though I am unsure if they would do so. Your fee will be refunded if they can’t find him.
You could possibly contact Imjin barracks and ask about his medal entitlement and if, when and where they were awarded/sent:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-medals
Once again though, the date of birth being accurate is likely to be a requirement.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
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I'm also told he received a letter from King Olav of Norway - suggesting he perhaps served there?
This was probably the same as the image below (between A4 and A3 size, heavy paper). These were issued to troops stationed in Norway after the war. Your grandfather may not have actually fought in Norway but (like mine) was sent there after VE Day to help with stabilising and reconstructing the country.
Philip
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Have you found him on the 1939 Register? If he did not join up under age, he should be on it.
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He was a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery.
I don’t know if either of these records may relate to your Robert Coleman - no age given
Robert COLEMAN
Attestation year 1937
Service number 868836
Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Last column heading
transfers to other Corps or cause of becoming non effective and record or re-enlistment (if any) (including date)
Written in this column is:- Z Res 17.3.49
[purple ink stamped - Extracted to NSRW
Robert COLEMAN
Attestation year 1940
Service number 1121032
Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Red line through his name
and
in the last column written in red pen:- Cancelled. M.L. 13.3.41
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He was a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery.
I don’t know if either of these records may relate to your Robert Coleman - no age given
Robert COLEMAN
Attestation year 1937
Service number 868836
Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Last column heading
transfers to other Corps or cause of becoming non effective and record or re-enlistment (if any) (including date)
Written in this column is:- Z Res 17.3.49
[purple ink stamped - Extracted to NSRW
Robert COLEMAN
Attestation year 1940
Service number 1121032
Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Red line through his name
and
in the last column written in red pen:- Cancelled. M.L. 13.3.41
Brilliant work!
The second entry would not fit with the photo showing medal ribbons, but the first entry (if it's him) would give a timeline of:
Born 3 Nov 1919
Attested 1937 (around 17 March?)
Served in Norway c1945-47
Transferred to the Reserves (on completion of 12 years service) 17 Mar 1949.
Philip
ADDED: I had a look on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_campaign_medals to see if I could identify his medal ribbons, but I can't see them well enough. (need new specs - should have gone to specsavers!)
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Wow thank you all so much for your comments and info!
Could I ask what from the photo tells you that he was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery (find it amazing the things you can find from just one photo).
Also, will look into those records, thank you for taking the time to look for me, certainly seems like a possibility at least! I've asked my mum today and she seems to think he was 16 when he joined but lied and said he was 18 (suggesting his birth date would have been listed as 1921 give or take). So the timeline would fit with the 1937 date. As for asking for his records I wanted to make sure I had the right info before i even attempted it as didn't want a fruitless return. I think it's easier at least having their regiment number which hopefully have now found thanks to you lovely people ! :) Will get back to you with anything i find,
Lena
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I'm also told he received a letter from King Olav of Norway - suggesting he perhaps served there?
This was probably the same as the image below (between A4 and A3 size, heavy paper). These were issued to troops stationed in Norway after the war. Your grandfather may not have actually fought in Norway but (like mine) was sent there after VE Day to help with stabilising and reconstructing the country.
Philip
This is lovley to see, thank you so much for sharing!
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He was a Sergeant in the Royal Artillery.
I don’t know if either of these records may relate to your Robert Coleman - no age given
Robert COLEMAN
Attestation year 1937
Service number 868836
Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Last column heading
transfers to other Corps or cause of becoming non effective and record or re-enlistment (if any) (including date)
Written in this column is:- Z Res 17.3.49
[purple ink stamped - Extracted to NSRW
Robert COLEMAN
Attestation year 1940
Service number 1121032
Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
Red line through his name
and
in the last column written in red pen:- Cancelled. M.L. 13.3.41
Could i ask where you found these records please? They aren't coming up on any thing i search on :(
Lena x
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Could I ask what from the photo tells you that he was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery (find it amazing the things you can find from just one photo).
At the risk of stealing ShaunJ's thunder.....
The cap badge is definitely Royal Artillery (see sample below)
On his left sleeve you can just see the edge of the three chevrons denoting the rank of Sergeant.
Philip
ADDED: with the exception of the Africa Star (1943), WW2 campaign medals were instituted in May 1945, and the defence medal and the war medal were instituted in August 1945, - this gives an earliest possible date for the photograph.
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Could i ask where you found these records please? They aren't coming up on any thing i search on :(
Lena x
Lena my apologies for not saying Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942 can be found on F M P here's the link https://www.rootschat.com/links/01pwr/ you will need a subscription to view :)
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Could I ask what from the photo tells you that he was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery (find it amazing the things you can find from just one photo).
At the risk of stealing ShaunJ's thunder.....
The cap badge is definitely Royal Artillery (see sample below)
On his left sleeve you can just see the edge of the three chevrons denoting the rank of Sergeant.
Philip
ADDED: with the exception of the Africa Star (1943), WW2 campaign medals were instituted in May 1945, and the defence medal and the war medal were instituted in August 1945, - this gives an earliest possible date for the photograph.
Thank you Phillip, that is all really helpful info :D
The medals you've mentioned are they what he has in the photograph? ???
Apologies for all the questions but all this boggles my mind as I have very little Military knowledge - learning as i go :)
Lena
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Could i ask where you found these records please? They aren't coming up on any thing i search on :(
Lena x
Lena my apologies for not saying Record set Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942 can be found on F M P here's the link https://www.rootschat.com/links/01pwr/ you will need a subscription to view :)
Ahh thank you so much for letting me know! I hadn't thought to check there. I accidentally paid for a years subscription to Ancestry's Fold3 military records site (Forgot to cancel free trial :-[ ) and would have thought he would show up on there. I'll make sure to check on there from now on :)