Genealogy Chat

Hi my mum was adopted and we think we have her fathers details correct but just need a final check before we carry on down the route. We need to confirm where he actually served during the 2nd world war. The name is John Gilbert and the one we are looking for served in Hanley Stoke on Trent. We believe he was born 1896 and died c1970. The one we are looking into was born in Flushing Cornwall but we just need to clarify. Can any one help with info how todo this. We have no family to ask because of the adoption.

Regards
Debbie

He may have served in WW1 also. He would have been in his 40's in WW2.

WW2 records are availble to next of kin,

"all Army Service Records covering the Second World War and up to present date are closed for 75 yrs. This is real terms means you will have to wait until 2020 before you will be able to view anyone's Service Record. Fortunately the restriction is not in place for

1) The owner of the document ie. The Serviceman/woman involved (If you are then you may grant permission in writing for another to obtain your record. )
2) The Official next-of-kin for that Serviceman/woman. If that Serviceman/woman has died.If the Serviceman died within service then proof of death is not required. If he died out of service then written confirmation (such as a copy of the death certificate) must be obtained and sent withn your application

If you google WW2 Records you will get the information

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/prose01/WW2_Army_ServiceRecord.htm

The only WW1 record I can find is William John Gilbert b abt 1896, Pengegon Moor Cambourne Cornwall, he signed his attestation papers in London Aug 1914.Army number 104898 and he was in the Royal Engineers.
His mother next of kin was Mary Jane Gilbert.

A death certificate dated after late 1969 should show date and place of birth.


Gwyn

Thanks for all your lovely prompt replies. However the only concrete info we have is that he was in Hanley Stoke on Trent in 1942. He was approx 40 years old. After that we are guessing at the moment. Like I say we could go anywhere. The records the Navy sent were for John Henry Gilbert who died on May 29th 1969. We cannot find any record of a death for this name. Back to my original idea I think in that I need to find details of the man who was in Hanley in October (ish) 1942. Bearing in mind that my mum was born June 1943. My nan (now deceased) said she never moved from the area during the war and he was a naval officer and she his Wren clerk.

As your Nan is dead, would it be possible to get her records? Not having seen any, I'm wondering if there would be any mention of being assigned to a particular person or unit and try tracing the history and personnel via some type of Ex Naval Association?