Author Topic: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in  (Read 659 times)

Offline Sue15

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Hello
I would like to apply to the MOD for my Grandfather's Second World War Uk service record. The problem I have, is to work out which of the three services he served in ie Army, Navy or RAF.

I do not have any photographs of my Grandfather in uniform. My father once told me my Grandfather's job was to help build landing strips/runways which would fit as he drove a steamroller as a civilian occupation. I believe he had to carry out this work in the most adverse of circumstances.

Would this be something the Army would have undertaken, I am thinking of Royal Engineers or Pioneer Corp or would the RAF have done this?

Any help would be much appreciated as I am not sure if I can obtain the service records otherwise.

Many thanks in anticipation

kind wishes

Sue
Davies- Llandegly, Cefnllys
Lloyd, Old and New Radnor Glascwm
Holl, Radnor, Kington
Mannering(s), Chatham Hinckley
England & Iliffe in Hinckley
Whitlock, Wilts, Glos and Cardiff
Howell, Cardiff
Hoddinott, Sturminster Newton,  - Weston S Mare
Thymian Eiling, Rahmer, Heitmuller -Hanover and Braunchsweig Germany
Wellings- Shropshire
Weaver . Cinderford and Walford Herefordshire also Ross, Australia & Pontypridd
Thomas - Williamstown, Tonypandy
Trembath - Cornwall & Williamstown Wales

Offline MaxD

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Re: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 28 March 18 10:24 BST (UK) »
The RAF had an airfield construction branch and both the RE and Pioneers would be a good fit, RN less likely I would have thought.  That gets us no further though!  Are there any clues at all in the family, like numbers that could be service numbers or units - were there any children born/did he marry while he was serving?  Is his name distinctive in any way - I see you have a lot of wide-spread Welsh names but the odd outlier in your profile, RAF names can be searched although it is not a complete record and only works if the name/initials are distinctive enough.

The application process does say that fees are not refundable.  However, I did have my cheque returned by the army when they found no record of my man.  Try telephoning Glasgow to double check on the policy on refunds - my thought process is if they will refund, then apply anyway.

Not much help I'm afraid.

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline Sue15

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Re: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 28 March 18 17:50 BST (UK) »
Hello MaxD

I greatly appreciate your email.
Unfortunately all children were born by the time war broke out and the surname Howell is not unique sadly.

You are right I need to bite the bullet and apply to one out of the three and hope for a refund if my best guess is wrong. I am going to go for Army. Somehow I just could not imagine my Grandfather in the RAF. I seem to remember a photo of a man in Army uniform in my Grand mother's house so I will take my chance.

You have given me the impetus to make a decision. Thank you.

Best wishes

Sue
Davies- Llandegly, Cefnllys
Lloyd, Old and New Radnor Glascwm
Holl, Radnor, Kington
Mannering(s), Chatham Hinckley
England & Iliffe in Hinckley
Whitlock, Wilts, Glos and Cardiff
Howell, Cardiff
Hoddinott, Sturminster Newton,  - Weston S Mare
Thymian Eiling, Rahmer, Heitmuller -Hanover and Braunchsweig Germany
Wellings- Shropshire
Weaver . Cinderford and Walford Herefordshire also Ross, Australia & Pontypridd
Thomas - Williamstown, Tonypandy
Trembath - Cornwall & Williamstown Wales

Offline MaxD

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Re: Any idea which of the three "services" by Grandfather would have served in
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 28 March 18 19:09 BST (UK) »
Good decision and good luck!

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia