Museums can be very helpful Ox, unfortunately they do vary – but doesn’t everything? In the past I’ve had great assistance from the Queens and the Argyle’s, but very little of value from the Suffolk’s or the Royal Marines (hep, two, three, four) and zilch from the RAMC. At least when you’re dealing with a regimental museum or association you know you are far more likely to get a positive response to a detailed enquiry than if you address an all forces source.

Sometimes there exists a regimental newsletter or perhaps even a magazine. Quite often they are not unwilling to publish requests in there for anyone who served with the person in question. As always, give as much accurate information as possible as memories may need to be jogged, and while someone may not have known the individual they may recognise certain actions or movements and be able to comment on these.

Museums and associations may be able to advise on useful books, and sometimes may even have sponsored private publications.

If they don’t ask for a fee I would always send them something as everyone struggles for funds nowadays and where W.W.II history is concerned, officialdom talks the talk but they don’t walk the walk. If there is a formal fee, it’s worth asking if this is for non associates only. If this is the case and such enquiries are handled free for associates, you may find the cost of becoming an associate for a year works out better?

No.9