Historical Research : How can I find out which regiment my dad fought in ?

[Gilli]

This seems like a silly question as I'm usually quite good at research, but I have very little to go on.

My dad, who died almost 14 years ago, was born in 1926 and therefore called up in 1944 for WW2. I don't know which regiment he served in though think it may have been the Royal Engineers ..... certainly "Engineers" rings a bell but I've a feeling there may have been other "Engineer" regiments/battallions (not sure which description is correct).

I'd like to find out who he fought with so - in theory - I can then find out more about his service history. Would imagine that once you know what regiment, uncovering their campaigns etc. would be reasonably easy.

My dad never spoke much about his WW2 experiences, though more about his continued National Service thereafter in places like Egypt. My mum thinks he was in France and Belgium which makes sense timewise.

I feel it's like looking for a needle in a haystack and wondered if anyone knew of a centralised Army archive database - or similar - where I could start my research.

Thanks.

[Quizmonster]

I'm sure that, if you wrote to the Ministry of Defence outlining all the facts you know - name, date of birth, dates of service, where he served etc - they would do their best to help you.
It occurs to me that, if you have a photograph of him in uniform, you might be able to determine his regiment from his cap-badge.

[KebabMeister]

Do you have his medals?  They're usually inscribed around the outside with the name, rank, regiment and service number.

Have a look at the Public Records Office website.  You can see the War History section here: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/?homelink=main_military

I think you can search on names, although if you have the service number it might make things easier.  If you're unable to find what you're looking for then email them and they'll be able to advise you on what course of action to take.

Good luck, and let us know what you find out!

[ratbag66]

Perhaps here would be useful

[woofgang]

you could try here too. http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/trails/index.asp

[zmudge]

Why not start with the Royal Engineers ? The address to contact can be found here

[Gilli]

Thanks to all those who replied.

It would seem that I'm going to have to get written permission from my mum (as his widow) to request his service record and this will cost �25 as it's for research purposes (as opposed, say, to a pension enquiry). None of that obviously is a problem !

Was just hoping that there was some searchable (by name, d.o.b. etc) database so I could at least establish regiment - and would then have probably been able to find out more under my own steam. Suppose however, that these sorts of details are held with as much secrecy/privacy as Census details and so on. 

[KebabMeister]

Unfortunately the link I posted earlier only covers up to1920 so it's a case of going to http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/service_recs/service%20_recs_army.htm as previously mentioned.

I did manage to find my Grandfather listed though from the WW1 listings:

http://www.documentsonline.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=1983010&queryType=1&resultcount=10

I just checked on his medals and it confirms his service number of 43729 Pte T.F. Clarke - S. Staff R. (South Staffordshire Regiment).  Interesting to note that his service was 1914-1920 - he joined aged 15 (supposed to be 18).