East Berlin post ww2

[Trevor Dolan]

Hi

I believe that my father deserted from the british army in berlin after the war was over and lived in east berlin for 4-5 years before he was picked up by the east german police. Where do I start looking for infirmation ? When I search on this site for record of him I can find nothing. I know he did a spell in Shepton Mallet military prison after he was court martialed.

Can anyone give me an idea where to start looking please ?

Trevor

[christanel]

Hello Trevor and welcome to the British-Genealogy forums.
I think you may have come to us from Forces War records so reading This (https://www.british-genealogy.com/threads/82046-FWR-Members-Please-Read) will tell you about us.

I think you need to apply for your father's service records from the MoD who hold service records from 1920 onwards. This "'sticky' (https://www.british-genealogy.com/threads/81920-Finding-service-records-for-WW2-and-after?p=585757#post585757)explains how to go about it and gives a link to download the application forms.

Here (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/courts-martial-desertion-british-army-17th-20th-centuries/) is The National Archives guide on courts marshall and desertion which may help

Others will probably have some other ideas and pointers.

Christina

[Peter Goodey]

If in due course you want to pursue records of courts martial, this Research Guide (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/courts-martial-desertion-british-army-17th-20th-centuries/) should help.

[Trevor Dolan]

Hi Christina

I did come from Forces and thanks for your advice I've downloaded the forms some information they ask for I dont have only his name date of birth so hope thats enough to go on . Trevor

[Trevor Dolan]

Hi Peter

Thanks I'll have a look at this

Trevor

[christanel]

Hi Christina

I did come from Forces and thanks for your advice I've downloaded the forms some information they ask for I dont have only his name date of birth so hope thats enough to go on . Trevor

Hello Trevor
You have your father's date of birth so the only other thing you need is his death certificate.
If you don't have it you can search on FreeBMD Here (http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl) for the details, order it from the GRO Here (https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp)using the details exactly as they are on FreeBMD (even if spelling is different).

Christina

[Trevor Dolan]

Hi Christina thanks I've go the certificate and printed the form off Trevor