Missing service number

[Alan Taylor]

Hi there,

I'm looking for a service number for the following soldier: Leonard Lawton, Royal Engineers. As I understand it he was in Africa and was a Clerk 2nd class some time between 1939/1945. He came from Bethnal Green in London.

I know that I can apply for his service record but without his service number I'm sunk. I don't think that it is a very common name.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

Alan

[KGarrad]

What you have to supply is EITHER the Service Number OR his date of birth!

So all is not lost!

[Alan Taylor]

Thanks for that,

I do know that he was born Leonard James Lawton on 10/03/1911 and died on 19/03/2002. Is there a site anywhere that I could get his service number?

Regards,

Alan

[KGarrad]

But you don't need his service number to apply for his WW2 Service Records?

Download the necessary forms from:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

[Alan Taylor]

Yes I understand that, however there are a few sites that I could do a search if I had his service number. I know that the information would be limited but that may be enough.

Cheers,

Alan

[Ruskie]

As far as I'm aware there's not much online related to WW2 soldiers. MOD still has the service records. NA at Kew has diaries plus other papers etc, and various other records are held elsewhere.

Isn't there an option to just search by name on these sites you mention? As you say, not such a common name ...

[ScouseBoy]

I am lucky in that I have a souvenir tankard from the Sgts Mess in Alexandria engraved with my dads Service number.

Have you any photos which the person took during his service?

[KGarrad]

Yes I understand that, however there are a few sites that I could do a search if I had his service number. I know that the information would be limited but that may be enough.

Cheers,

Alan

To confirm:
For anybody serving after 1920, their Service Records will be with the MOD.
They are NOT available anywhere else!

And the Regimental War Diaries are at TNA, but not online.

(Don't believe the hype put about by Forces War Records!  )

[Ruskie]

(Don't believe the hype put about by Forces War Records!  )

I wondered if that was the site that Alan was referring to.