Genealogy Chat

Could someone please advise how to find information on someone who served in the British Navy during WWII? I believe that he served on the HMS Illustrious, based on a photograph that shows him wearing a uniform and hat with that name on it. I checked National Archives and it seems they recommend writing to the HM Naval Base at Portsmouth; I was hoping that there may be another (quicker!) way. Thanks very much.

If you can read the name of the ship on his hat it's unlikely to be wartime - The names of ships were removed for security. Your picture most likely would have been taken between August 1945 and 1954. This is because the war had already started when she entered service and she was laid up in 1954. The previous Illustrious had been scrapped in 1920. Illustrious was one of the most distinguished ships of the Second World War. She was the first of a new class of Aircraft Carrier and was commissioned in 1940. After hostilities had ended, she returned to home waters as a training and trials ship before being laid up in 1954 and finally scrapped in 1957.

Paul, thank you very much for your response, which is very helpful. Are you able to advise where I might find crew information post-WWII other than as suggested by National Archives? Thanks again.

Hi Susan Goggle the name of the ship, and read through all the data. There is bound to be contacts from others researching the ship and lots of other info. My grand father served on a ship which was sunk by enemy fire, alas my granfather died. I found a lot of info out about his ship by googling, I also had contact with others who had kin that served on the ship and they were able to send me pictures ect. best of luck Maria

Thanks so much, Maria, will do.

You can't get service records for Royal Navy personnel who were discharged prior to 1972: Prior to 1972 all RN personnel were given their service record when they discharged. For pension purposes the RN retained pay details. Therefore the only information held on RN personnel who served prior to 1972 are their Service details (number, rank, name etc) and a list of dates and ships/shore bases. See here: http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/royal_navy.html Sam x

However.... there a lot of 'old comrades' websites so you may well find one by googling. 'Forces Reunited', for example.... http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk/namearchive/units/HMSNames/HMS-Illustrious.html You could send a standard e-mail enquiry to quite a number of his contemporaries.