My Grandad - How to find his military record?
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 5:35 pm
Thought this would be best in this section as some of you may have experience in this. I would like to find my Grandads military service records, I believe this is possible, but I've no idea where to start. I've got a brown book that says 'Soldiers service and pay book' on the cover, but it's so old a delicate that I don't like handling it too much, I've got photos of each page, but some of the writing is hard to read, particularly the pages about what training he did. Theres also a little blue book, that says membership card along the top, and then in the middle says 'Special Air Service Regimental Association. This is in much better condition, but it's all just printed, very little personal details, just his name ' R. Williams' and a membership number of 329.
There are also a few badges, one says EGYPT and Gloucestershire. Another says Devonshire, and then one that is a crown at the top and a big curved horn below, with PA but no other writing. There is also a badge that's very unclear, but looks as though it might be a WWI tank in the middle surrounded by a star sort of shape and then a ring of leaves or something. and finally a winged dagger, with the banner who dares wins, but this looks a lot newer and far better condition than the others, so not sure when it is from. Also just found an NVA badge, which I think is the Normandy Veterans Association.
I also have his small medals (sadly the proper medals went to my uncle, who later died and the medals passed to my cousin, rather than my Dad, and no idea what he's done with them). There are 2 stars, one with dark blue, red and light blue striped ribbons, the other has red, white, green, white, red stripes. Then 3 round medals, 1st ribbon is green, black, green, orange, green, black, green, the 2nd is red, blue, white, red, white, blue, red, and 3rd is purple, green, purple with a bar saying Palestine 1945-48.
Can anyone point me in the direction of finding out more about what he did during the war?
I do have photos of these things on my phone, I just need to try and get them uploaded sometime. Any help is much appreciated.
There are also a few badges, one says EGYPT and Gloucestershire. Another says Devonshire, and then one that is a crown at the top and a big curved horn below, with PA but no other writing. There is also a badge that's very unclear, but looks as though it might be a WWI tank in the middle surrounded by a star sort of shape and then a ring of leaves or something. and finally a winged dagger, with the banner who dares wins, but this looks a lot newer and far better condition than the others, so not sure when it is from. Also just found an NVA badge, which I think is the Normandy Veterans Association.
I also have his small medals (sadly the proper medals went to my uncle, who later died and the medals passed to my cousin, rather than my Dad, and no idea what he's done with them). There are 2 stars, one with dark blue, red and light blue striped ribbons, the other has red, white, green, white, red stripes. Then 3 round medals, 1st ribbon is green, black, green, orange, green, black, green, the 2nd is red, blue, white, red, white, blue, red, and 3rd is purple, green, purple with a bar saying Palestine 1945-48.
Can anyone point me in the direction of finding out more about what he did during the war?
I do have photos of these things on my phone, I just need to try and get them uploaded sometime. Any help is much appreciated.