Australian WW2 service records

[Fiona67]

Hi this a great site to find WW2 service records for Australian service men & women. I was wondering how I would find British WW2 records

http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/name.asp#searchtabs

Regards
Fiona

[Procat]

Hi Fiona,

That is a great link. Thanks for posting it.

For British records it is far more difficult as far as I can ascertain. See here (http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html) and here (http://www.veterans-uk.info/faqs/service_recs.html).

[ash33au]

If anyone wants more comprehensive Aust WW2 service records, let me know. I go to the National Archives fairly often and have gotten heaps for myself already.

[CanCan]

Thank you for a great link. I have lots of family who went to Australia and this will be very useful.


Thank You Again


Michael

[Procat]

Hi Michael,

if they were in Australia pre WWI and served with the Australian Military you can view their service record on line here (http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch.aspx).

[CanCan]

Thanks Doug,

I do have that link and found it very useful.

Why can it not be the same in this country ?


Michael

[Procat]

Luck of the draw with government attitude I suspect.

We are really fortunate in this country with the National Archives.

I heard some time ago that the Australian WWII records are in progress of being digitised as well so I am hanging out for that.

[CanCan]

I have noticed that it is a lot easier to get info (even online) from Australia.


Most of my wife's relations are in victoria. One of them is very much into family history and she has helped me alot. She lives in the Toolern Vale area (whereever that is ! )


Michael

[Procat]

Just a little bit north of Melbourne. See here (http://www.wilmap.com.au/ausmaps/aj32.html). Look to the top of the map and a tad left of center.

[ash33au]

Luck of the draw with government attitude I suspect.

We are really fortunate in this country with the National Archives.

I heard some time ago that the Australian WWII records are in progress of being digitised as well so I am hanging out for that.

There are actually a number available already. I have my grandfather's with photo's and have a number of others as well.

The reasons some records are not yet available is that they haven't been examined yet or contain sensitive information.

[CanCan]

Thanks for your replies.


The map was very useful.



I am still having a good look at the site mentioned in these thread. Its very good.



Michael

[hughesrj]

Yes - they are slowly digitising the WWII records, and for a small fee you can request them if they are not yet online.

Also Queensland BDM historical records have gone online - however some of the accuracy and detail is suspect. I recently found that, despite having hardcopies of my GGgparents death certs parents' names, they did not exist in the "database".

rj

[Fiona67]

My great uncles' records are digitised too

Fiona

[Procat]

Still waiting for my Dad's (although I have a hard copy) and his brothers - still patience is a virtue and all that.

[ash33au]

I have some very interesting records from both world wars that i found at the national archives.

[Rove]

I would like to find some more detail on this person.

How do I go about it ?

One thing, from memory he was a Sqd Leader attached to the RAF Unit 137 MU in Malta 1944 - 45. Would they have detail of where he served ?

I forgot his first name.


http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1049334

[ash33au]

If I have a name I can find out what you need to know.

[Rove]

I have a photo of him taken 1945.

Would that help ?

I am sure he was Sqd Ldr.

One of his mates, a Flt Lieut Jack Cornelius is still alive today, aged about 93y. He lives in Wales UK.

I was in touch with him but he has also forgotten his first names.

WE must be getting very old .......LOL

Thanks.

[ash33au]

Gday Rove, can you email me the pic to [ reachingformyroots AT live DOT com DOT au ] and I will see what I can do.

[ash33au]

Is this fellow GRIMSHAW, THOMAS WRIGLEY from the link you provided the person I am looking for?

His service record is not yet available.

It will cost you $16.50 to request a copy...

[Rove]

The link is from the first post of this thread.

I just entered that link and searched by the name Grimshaw.

I had already viewed that Aussie Services Site many months ago.

This guy is not related to me. He played a very important part in shaping the course of my life when I was a teenager. All I can say is that he wore an Aussie RAAF uniform and he was in a group of about 30 English RAF officers. They were Ground Crew officers.

I take it that today he is RIP. If I can trace a relative of his I can tell them the story.

[ash33au]

I've found a Charles Shepherd from that Squadron that someone else is looking for

[Rove]

This man was born in England

Here is his name in Free BMDs

Thomas Wrigley Grimshaw born in Totnes 3rd qtr 1908 ref 5b 132.

My thinking is that he happened to be in WA Aust during 1940 and joined the RAAF here in Aust.

The officers always called each other by nicknames.

[ash33au]

Ahhh you had me confused which is why I asked if Thomas Wrigley Grimshaw was the man...

His full service record is not digitised and is available for a fee from the National Archives. I will be in there on Wednesday as a matter of point.

[ash33au]

Try this link ===> http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/ItemDetail.asp?M=0&B=5376010

[Procat]

Hi Ash,

link doesn't work

[ash33au]

Although I'm not sure if it is Thomas Wrigley Grimshaw we are looking for? Rove doesn't seem to be certain, but here is what we get from the NAA:

Title
GRIMSHAW THOMAS WRIGLEY
Service Number - 406128
Date of birth - 12 Aug 1908
Place of birth - GALMPTON ENGLAND
Place of enlistment - PERTH WA
Next of Kin - GRIMSHAW ISABELLA
Barcode 5376010
Series number A9300
Series accession number 2002/05090488
Control symbol GRIMSHAW T W
Contents date range 1939 - 1948
Extent
Location Canberra
Access status Not yet examined
Reason for restriction
Date of decision 1 Jan 1970

[ash33au]

This might also help:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=raf+squadrons+serving+in+malta+in+1944&start=10&sa=N

[Rove]

Hi Ash33au and other guys


Seems you have pushed me further in my search for Mr Grimshaw.

His father was EWING WRIGLEY GRIMSHAW who married Isabella Geraldine Nangle in Chard ?Somerset? June qtr 1905 ref 5c 711

Have found no trace of EWING W. GRIMSHAW. I think he could have been born in Aussie, Just a guess.

In the 1891 Census Isabella aged 13y b c1878 is living with her widowed mother ISABELLA.

The 13 yr old is entered as GERALDINE and born in Madras India. Her mother Isabella is born Scotland 1849. They were living at Bedford Eastern Ward Bedford.

----

From FindMYPast Emigration records I've noticed this entry:


Name: Mr E GRIMSHAW
Date of departure: 15 January 1921
Port of departure: London
Passenger destination port: Fremantle, Australia
Passenger destination: Fremantle, Australia

Date of Birth: 1881 (calculated from age)
Age: 40
Marital status: Married
Sex: Male
Occupation: Electrician
Passenger recorded on: Page 13 of 28
---------------

Name: Mrs A GRIMSHAW
Date of departure: 15 January 1921
Port of departure: London
Passenger destination port: Fremantle, Australia
Passenger destination: Fremantle, Australia

Date of Birth: 1879 (calculated from age)
Age: 42
Marital status: Married
Sex: Female
Occupation: Housewife

--------------

Thomas Wrigley Grimshaw joined the RAAF in Perth 1940

Mr E. Grimshaw's wife is show as A. Grimshaw, not I for Isabella or G for Geraldine

Her entered dob is close to correct.

[janeygee]

If anyone wants more comprehensive Aust WW2 service records, let me know. I go to the National Archives fairly often and have gotten heaps for myself already.

|help| HI;

I am browsing today and noticed your offer to look up WW2 service
records,, I am looking for a cousin who emmigrated from Scot 1927
with wife & children,, I believe he may have 'fibbed' about his age
when joining up, he was born 1897.Glas/Scot;

William Wilson (b) 7 July.1900. Service # VX 34631.enlisted Royal
Park,Victoria. NOK;Mildred Wilson;wife;

William died 1974 age 76yrs.Heidelberg; maybe the Heidelberg Rep/Hosp
his age is about right for 1897 birth.

Would there be any address with these records,??

Your help is appreciated;

Kind regards;

Janey;:)