Armed Forces help

[RyanUK]

I am looking to find a little information on my Great Grandfather's WW2 service records with any documents or even a regiment number if possible. I personally haven't had any luck.
With Ancestry the only place I have searched.
We have him in photographs in uniform.
I presume he joined in 1939 when Germany declared war on Britain. Any guidance at all would be great.

• James William Brinsley
• Nickname 'Jim'
• DOB - 1st April 1907 - 28 Nov 1971
• Birth Address:
305 Newbridge Lane, Stockport, Cheshire, England
• Family Address:
7 Star Street, Portwood, Stockport, Cheshire, England
• Marriage: To; Gladys Tattersall -
April 1934 • Stockport, Cheshire, England

[nanny jan]

WW2 service records are held by the MOD and not online.  You can apply for a copy:

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=651361.0

[josey]

Have you looked at 1939 register? Very slightly different DOB, not joined up at that time.

[cath151]

There is a mention here of a J W Brinsley but no way of knowing if it your James, would hesitate in looking at and paying for the record as there is not always much info or identifying details.
Perhaps if you could post the photo someone might be able to recognise a badge.

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/namesearch/?FirstName=james%20w&Surname=brinsley&RecordType=NotSelected&RecordDateStartYear=1700&RecordDateEndYear=2020&Step=1&ReceivedGallantryAward=False

Cathy

[Kiltaglassan]

If you click on 'Report to moderator', you can have this thread moved to 'World War 2' sub-forum where plenty of military experts can assist you.

KG

[RyanUK]

Thank you very much for your very kind replies and useful links. I will definitely apply to the mod for possible records.

In reference to his DOB being slightly different in the 1939 census. My nana always said the reason is he was born on the 1st April 1907 and he didn't like the fact it was associated with april fools day so he always asked for his birthday to be celebrated on the 31st March which is the date in the 1939 census.

Thanks to ShaunJ the J.W Brinsley who was a 2nd lieutenant in the records was indeed not James William Brinsley. Thanks Shaun.

I will move the this thread as suggested to the World War 2 sub-forum.

I will follow up shortly with a picture of his uniform.

[rosie99]

Forces War records does not have WW2 service records even though it may look like it, the MOD is the only place you can get them

[RyanUK]

Thank you very much for your very kind replies and useful links. I will definitely apply to the mod for possible records.

In reference to his DOB being slightly different in the 1939 census. My nana always said the reason is - he was born on the 1st April 1907 and he didn't like the fact it was associated with april fools day so he always asked for his birthday to be celebrated on the 31st March which is the date in the 1939 census.

Thanks to ShaunJ the J.W Brinsley who was a 2nd lieutenant in the records was indeed not James William Brinsley. Thanks Shaun.

I will move the this thread as suggested to the World War 2 sub-forum and I will follow up with a picture of him in uniform for reference.

I appreciate the comments on mod only records. Thank you all for helping me.

[ShaunJ]

The J W Brinsley who was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery was John Wilfrid Brinsley. Commissioned 13 Feb 1943: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35945/supplement/1305