Genealogy Chat

My mother called today to tell me she would like me to find out if it is possible to claim her Father's Medals which he won during the Second World War but never claimed. Guess what? She 'll also expect me to do the claiming, paperwork etc. Anyway I told her it would be too difficult as all she knows is he was in the Military Police and went to to Dunkirk (as did most of the British Army). His name was George Jones (and how many of them does she think there were?) and to top it all his real name as shown on his birth certificate is George Williams yet we believe he would have registered as George Jones! So for the time being I fobbed her off with oh well your not the next of kin, your eldest sister is so I doubt they'd deal with you. Am I right? Is this a pointless exercise?

My husband tried to get his fathers medal from WW2 and he could not. Although his father had already had them and they were lost. Good Luck Irene

Nightmare!!! Does any of you know his service number?? Merry

Merry, No is the straight answer to that one! See why I think it's pointless! Liz

This is a long shot, but he didn't get married or have a child whilst in the services, did he?? His service number might be on the certificate. Merry

Irene I don't think your husband would be able to get them if they had already been claimed - I don't think they issue duplicates. Jay

Merry He did have kids during his service time but to ask them to check birth cerificates is useless as they are just not interested in this sort of thing. So not really a possibity. Thanks for the suggestion though. Liz

oooh dear, well, if they don't want to help you, then..........*$%*%$** Suggest you smile sweetly and say, ''Yes, I'll see what I can do....If you could just give me his service number.................'' Merry

Well this is what I would need: To access a record the following information (or as much as possible) is required: Service Number, Rank, Full Name, Date of Birth and period served (dates from and to). For queries to the Army also state the Regiment or Corps in addition to the above information. A full copy of the record can be requested however, original documents, discharge papers/books cannot be replaced. The MOD will also provide extracts from service records. The above was taken from the Veterans site. I would also need a letter from the Next of Kin who I presume is the oldest surviving child as him and his wife are now dead.

I think I'll follwo Merry's advice. It's not something I'm particulary interested in dealing with. Now my other Grandfathers medals that would be easier at least I have his service number but I think he swapped regiments quite a bit.