Release of WW2 Service records

[mickgall]

Hi All

Will there ever be a release of WW2 Service Records by the MoD? WW1 service records were released after seventy five years, 1993. Seventy five years for WW2 was 2020. Or is this a case of  the MoD being onto a nice little earner at £30 a time for each record released.

Thanks Mick

[Rena]

I'm among many people waiting for the WWII records to be released.  I see that the National Archives at Kew have released official Cabinet Papers.

It's peculiar what pops up when searching for a surname.  On my last search (for Smythe) amongst the results was:-

(1)  "Shakespeare the tax evader"
(2)  "Windrush 1948"

The transcript for the second result was:-

" Transcript
[Stamp: Central Telegraph Office London Office London 6 July 1948]

POST OFFICE TELEGRAM

136 W 1355 6 EMPIRE WINDRUSH

PORTISHEAD RADIO 59/58

= CUMMINGS COLONIAL OFFICE WELFARE DEPARTMENT KINNAIRD HOUSE PALLMALL LONDON, S.W.

= From Smythe Empire Windrush STOP 350 without any arrangements for accommodation. Preference for employment reported to be skilled engineers, 50 Builders 50 Ex-factory workers, 50 Farmers, 30 Mining,  30 to re-enlist RAF [Royal Air Force] 50 Army STOP. Remainder no preference regarding accommodation suggest you contact disembarkation authorities Southampton 060955 + O.C. Troops ++

CT 350 50 50 50 30 30 50 25       060955"

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/significant-events/windrush-1948/

[GrahamSimons]

This might help although the younger servicemen and servicewomen of WW2 will be outside the 115 year limit:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/news/first-mod-service-personnel-records-now-available/

[mickgall]

Thanks Graham

Mick