Service and War Returns.....

neleh_22 · Post by **neleh_22** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:28 am

I think I have found the death of my husbands uncle on SP but it says there is no image will I have to order the certificate and what information will it give me or will I be able to view it at Park Circus as I will be going there in April.

Helen

Post by **Tracey** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:51 am

Hi Helen

I dont know which "service" (Army, Naval , Merchant, Air etc) your husbands uncle was in or when but have you searched his name on The National Archives Kew ? Its not the easiest of sites to work your way round and if you do find him may only give his medal card to download and will/should include his service number - just another avenue to explore

Tracey

Post by **AndrewP** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:05 am

Hi Helen,

Last time I was in New Register House, the Service Returns were still on microifiche only, not on the DIGROS (onscreen digital images) system. I have my doubts that they have these microfiche at Park Circus.

I believe they are on the agenda for the DIGROS system and presumably ScotlandsPeople. On the SP "What's in rthe Database" availability page, I am assuming that they are lumped in with the minor records, so "should" be online sometime in 2006.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

neleh_22 · Post by **neleh_22** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:12 am

Thanks Tracey and Andrew will just have to wait till the record is available.

Helen

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:26 am

Hi Helen,
Andrew's right - no Service Returns at Park Circus.
Jack

Post by **Tracey** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:42 am

Helen

Dont give up yet try looking at the explanations of searching TNA http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3570 - if you find him and he did die in service im sure you could find out more via his service number. Not (us) knowing when he died you may find him on http://www.cwgc.org/. Sorry if im going over previously explored avenues. If you think its him you found on SP then you know the date of death there are places you can write off to ............... I will stop now just incase i am going in the totally wrong direction

neleh_22 · Post by **neleh_22** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:57 am

Hi Tracey,

I have him on the CWGC site on the Plymouth Naval Memorial it lists his service number there.I need to find his parents names to make sure it is the right person. He is also on a war memorial in Eaglesham. Will have a look at the info you mentioned see what I can find out. Thanks for your help

Helen

Post by **AndrewP** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:14 am

Hi Helen,

Sorry to disappoint you, but you won't find the parents' names on the Service Return. These are not death certificates in the usual sense. They often consist of little more than the regiment name, the person's name, rank and number, date of death, a vague cause of death, and a vague place of death.

Typically it may tell you that Joe Soap, Private in the Black Watch, number 246810, was killed in action 14th September 1916 in France.

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:31 am

It's often the case that the Commonwealth Graves Commission site provides more info, e.g. name of next-of-kin, but not, apparantly, in this case.

"Soldiers Who Died in The Great War" can also help, but I'm unsure if "Soldiers" means exactly that, or if it includes the RN and the RFC/RAF.

The service record at Kew, - if one has survived, - could also help.

David

Post by **joette** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:34 am

Even the CWGC may/may not have his next-of-kin info.I have three of mine on it two have excellent next-of kin info but one has zilch but as he died of wounds after the War no problems.
If you need a nosey round at Kew I am working myself up to a trip there to have a rake through my rellies service records.I am happy to have a peek at yours too if it would help.