Service record v Medal Card

[Old Bristolian]

I am trying to track the Army record of Donald MacDonald, born in Dingwall on 4th August 1885. I think he may have joined the Royal Artillery as a trumpeter by 1901 (Census) & he was certainly a private in the 2nd Bat. Scots Guards in August 1914 (Marriage certificate) when he was stationed at the Tower of London. I know he survived the First World War & family tradition has it he became an RSM, but left the Army under a cloud in the 20s or 30s.
My problem is that I don't have his regimental number & he could be one of 4 (or 5) Donald MacDonalds on the Medal Card Index who has a low number. The alternative of obtaining his service record from the Guards Archives will cost £30 + £7 for a copy of his death certificate, if I can trace it. Could anyone tell me if the full service record will contain much further information than the Medal Card ?

Steve

[mmm45]

Steve

I got the service records of a Coldstream Guard last year and it had a wealth of information.
It lists all the places he served,Medals,discipline and promotions,education and courses and next of kin.My soldier served 1908-1915 so if yours served throughout Great war and after it should make an interesting read.

Much better than the MIC but like you say £30.its expensive im sure if you put all the details you know and the possibilities that it might be the Archivist at the Guards Archives will find your man.

Ady

[Wendi]

Hi Steve!

The Medal Card is an Index Card, it (in fact you get 6 per £3.50) so if your lucky you may get all 4 for one £3.50 (if you see what I mean) - I can check if out if you fancy - anyway - It's an Index Card so basically it will show the obvious, plus date of entry to the field and the usual medal awards (not including those for gallantry).  Any other useful information would be found in the Rolls to which this index card refer, and mean viewing them at Kew.

The service record on the other hand should hold far more information, his attestation papers, or his discharge papers at the very least (hopefully both!) together with correspondence regarding his career, and perhaps pension details in which is date of death, may be.

However, if you say that he left during 20's or 30's are you sure that his papers are not still with the Veterans Agency in Glasgow?

Surely if he left after 1922 they would be, but it might be worth checking with the Regiment first. 

My comments are  general as I have no experience Guards regiments so I hope that anyone who has more experience than I, will leap in and comment   

Wendi

[harribobs]

 for guards service records ( pre 1922, i imagine if he served after 1922 they would be at Glasgow with the MOD) you need to write to

Regimental Archivist,
X Guards (substituting the name of the regiment you are interested in),
Wellington Barracks,
London

(compliments of the long long trail)

[mmm45]

Steve


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/service_records/sr_soldiers.htm

Heres a link to service records it explains about the Guards and as Wendi says  Service post 1922 the Docs will have to be ordered through Vets Agency.


http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_records/service_records.htm

Ady

[OldBraggs]

The Guards regiments retained their own copies of service papers, unlike other regiments. Therefore the Guards archive does hold service papers for WWI and post-WWI.

Steve

[Old Bristolian]

Thanks to all respondents - the Service record sounds too tempting to dismiss - I think I'll have to go for that if available

Steve

[harribobs]

The Guards regiments retained their own copies of service papers, unlike other regiments. Therefore the Guards archive does hold service papers for WWI and post-WWI.

Steve

ah !  thanks Steve

( i have a personal interest, having just found ggdmn in my family)

[Wendi]

Thanks Steve  it's always good to know.

Any idea why the Guards hold their own records, is it just traditional ?

Wendi