Researching My Father's Army/ww2 Career

[SurreyGuy]

My father died back in the early 70s, long before I was of an age to ask about/understand his military career in the Irish and British Armies in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

A few years ago, inspired by some programmes about WW2 digs and the subsequent info that the programme makers discovered in museums/records offices, I made some tentative efforts to do some research about my father, but didn't get very far.

Why can programme makers find out loads of information about military personnel (that they're not even related to), yet family members with a genuine reason for wanting to know the info (such as myself) virtually draw a blank?!

[CheekyChops]

Where have you tried, why have you drawn a blank? I got copies of the army service records for my dad who did national service in 1960 and also for my grandad who served in the 30-40's. I had to pay for the older ones, the more recent ones were free as my dad was still alive at the time.

[retrocop]

There are loads of sites specifically for service research by family.' Name ,Regiment rank and serial no helps greatly. Think there was an OP on History here recently. All sorts of help was forthcoming.

[retrocop]

Friday 4th March 2016 in History section entitled Miltary History.Cant get you link am lying in hospital bed with just an I phone. Tap in search box

[SurreyGuy]

CheekyChops – I can’t remember who I wrote to (I can’t even find the unhelpful letter that I got at the time – GRRRRRRRR!), but I do remember thinking, “well that was a waste of time”!

To whom did you write?

[SurreyGuy]

retrocop - Please excuse my ignorance, but what is an "OP"?

[shoota]

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/overview

[SurreyGuy]

retrocop (again) - sorry, I cant find the question to which you refer :o(

[SurreyGuy]

Sorry, I forgot to say "thanks" to CheekyChops and retrocop.

[shoota]

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/category.aspx?cat=39

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks shoota

[shoota]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/History/Question1478308.html

[shoota]

Do you know what regiment he was in?

[SurreyGuy]

shoota - I've got that info somewhere. I've been looking for it today, but not found it yet.

I'd only have the details of his British Army regiment. I've no idea about his Irish Army info.

[shoota]

Most regiments have an archive/museum or a body of enthusiasts who research the personnel and deeds of that regiment. When you know which regiment it was then a google search will find them.

[shoota]

If he was in the army before WW2 then the National Archive may have some info, its held in a big complex close to Kew bridge, just north of Richmond if you still live in Surrey.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-after-1913/

[retrocop]

Soon as I get home I can sendmyou links but am using I phone from a ward.
Tap in military history in the red search box above and you will find another post

[shoota]

I posted a link to that question Retro @ 20:48

[retrocop]

Ta shoota
Loads of other posts of similar request if you keep scrolling down as well

[shoota]

If your dad was in the Southern Irish Army you may find info here:
http://www.militaryarchives.ie/collections/online-collections/military-archives-irish-army-census-records