Genealogy Chat

Ann That would be great if you could get me a contact name I could then at least give it a try - as i said earlier i got the impression from the site that they could not helpwithout the service number. Have sent you my email address Natalie Seems like I should at least give it a try Thanks girls Ann

I sent Coldstream Guards HQ £20 to research my Gt-Gt Grandfather's military record. They couldn't trace him, but phoned me personally to let me know, and were generally very helpful. I was disappointed not to get a result, but they did say at the start that the £20 was a search fee and not a guarantee of success!! Going to try Kew on Saturday, but not very hopeful of finding anything now! Natalie

I wrote off to the place in Birdcage Walk about a year ago. All I had was the name of the Grenadier Guard, the town he lived in, his date of birth and next of kin. I thought he joined up in the late 1920's, so didn't have date of service, or service number. They sent me all his records (Free!), which were quite detailed, and it turned out that he didn't join up until WW2. So unless their policy has changed, I don't understand why you have to provide them with the service number. I could dig their letter out, and find the name of the person who replied to me, if you like.

Hi Bernice Read and reread the site - basically I get the impression not to bother them unless you know the army number Thanks for the reply though Christine Started wading through the gazette articles - done about 40 so far - takes ages - will keep looking Linda Hi - still plodding along Ann

Sorry nothing to add, I just wanted to put this into my threads, so I could find it again to use the newspaper link. Linda

Have you tried the London Gazette Online? http://www.gazettes-online.*co.uk/index.asp?webType=0 (remove *) They have searchable record for twentieth century, so far, on line. I found references to the military careers of my father & brother there, as well as my grandfather and his elder brother. I also found a reference to my father's stepfather, but that was about his Will going to probate, rather than his military career. The military references usually include the service number. Christine

I now know he was in the Coldstream Guards but the National Archives only have WW1 Medal cards as far as I can see Thanks girls Ann

ditto that, I was looking for a Smith! and found his medal cards on National archives - luckily I knew his regiment though....

Ann Have you tried the National Archives site? I'm not sure about the years you need but they have the WW1 medal cards available to download. Without his army number it might be difficult if he has quite a common name (I was lucky, the one I was searching for was quite unusual) but take a look and see what you think Lou

Hi evrybody Peter Walker today solved my regimental group photo for me - thread posted earlier Does anybody know whether medal cards are held for years 1934 - 1945 and if so where can I look Without an army no/reg no I can progress no further on my military search for my fathers records Coldstream Guards records kept at Birdcage Walk and they will not research without this No Any help appreciated Ann