Confirming branch of service

[Stanwix England]

Hello,

I'm doing some research for a friend, trying to track down the WII record for a male relative of theirs.

Sorry for not giving names, it's a bit sensitive.

They want to apply for this persons service record. Unfortunately we don't actually know anything about which branch they served in.

I'm really struggling to turn anything up. Ancestry doesn't have any records for this person. They are listed as being in England on the 1939  census thing, and married in England in 1944 so they were definitely around.

I haven't been able to find anything on Fold 3.

Forces War records does have some records that might be them. Unfortunately all the records they have only give a surname and first initial. I can't find any identifying details to prove it's them. They also give a service number, which I've tried putting in to Fold 3 to see what that turned up, but again nothing.

I'm stumped really as we can't go through the process of applying for the records without those details.

Does anyone know of any other sites that I can possibly look on. Thank you.

[nestagj]

What if you apply for the marriage certificate - that should detail their occupation so hopefully you should know then what service.    You can then apply to the relevant service with the name and date of birth.    I believe the records are available to relatives for a charge after death.   
Good luck

[nanny jan]

WW2 service records are held by the MOD and are not online.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records


My mum married for the first time in 1943, groom was a soldier, but on the certificate under "Rank or Profession" is just shown as "HMF"  (His Majesty's Forces).

Would any of the wider family have a wedding photo?  Have you looked to see if he features on any online family tree?

[Stanwix England]

Thank you so much everyone.

I hadn't considered applying for the marriage certificate. I will do that.

I will ask about a wedding photograph, because he could be in uniform couldn't he?

He does feature in a few other trees but unfortunately it's mine that is the most filled out.

Thank you again

[nanny jan]

Two routes to try!

Although mum's cert just gives HMF the photo shows her husband in army uniform so......fingers crossed.

Another thought.......if there were any children born and he was still serving it should show his occupation on the birth certificate and possibly a baptism record.

[JenB]

The marriage certificate route is well worth trying.

My parents married in 1945 and the marriage certificate detailed their regiments, ranks and army numbers.