BS: Finding service records online

Subject: BS: Finding service records online
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 06:24 AM

There are quite a few Mudcatters, who know about these things. My grandfather served in the RN throughout the war. I only ever heard snippets about him from my mother. I want to try and find out what ships he was on and where he went. I think he was on HMS Hood and HMS Gypsy at different times. Both ships went down shortly after my grandfather had left. I also believe that he was involved in the evacuation of Crete. I was told that he took the last boat off the beaches, although that story could well be one, which has grown in the telling. Any pointers where I should start looking?

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: skipy
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 06:28 AM

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/royal-navy-service.asp
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 07:16 AM

Heres a possible useful website.

http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk/

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 09:47 AM

Try applying to the onshore base of whichever ships you think he sailed on.. They should have copies of the War Diaries and ships logs, which will also have crew manifests and such. The Public Records office at Kew will also be a great help finding service members.

Who Do You Think You Are? has some good suggestions and links. Robert Lindsay also had an ancestor serving in the Navy, but in the First war. They found a surprising lot about him.

Good luck, it's one of those searches that will either have no impact, or else will hook you in and trap you for ever!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: alanabit
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 03:21 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 10:14 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to need a little more information about my relatives to even get started. I am checking out those websites though.

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: GUEST,steve benbows protege off line
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 06:06 PM

Alan,

Was it the first or second war he served in. If it was the first you are o.k as the archive hold the records. If it was the second then you would need to contact the ministry of defence who hold the records. You have to forgive me as i don't know your age. I used to work for the archive and have spent years trying to do my family history.

If you are lucky someone in your family will have his service number or at least know his rank in the navy.

If you need help send me a p.m and we can discuss any issues you may have. I know i am offline at present but i do regulary log in.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 02:47 AM

Thanks Peter. Daniel Mackenna, my great grandfather, served in WWI. I think he was in the army, as he was gassed at Gallipoli. He died in the thirties.
My grandfather, William Hall (and his son, also William) served in the Royal Navy in WWII. My grandfather was a CPO. I do not know what branch he was in, but I am asking family members for more information. It is a bit tricky, because I live in Cologne and the surviving family is strewn around the UK. Some of them are getting on a bit and their memories are not entirely reliable. I am a youngster of fifty-one.
Good of you to reply. I will get in touch.

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: skipy
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 04:36 AM

Not "your" william hall, but a story well worth a read:-
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/infos/William-Hall-INfo.pdf#search=%22%22William%20Hall%22%20royal%20navy%22
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 06:11 AM

alan - I'm in London and work not far from the Family Record Centre at Farringdon... if you want to do some research there let me know and I can come and help... it's been a while since I was there but I do remember you need to bring a credit card for some online census info and the copier.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Finding service records online
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 01:26 AM

Thanks LIz. Don't know when I'll next be in London, but I'll call you when I am.