WWII Service Records

ragnorak · #1 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2008, 05:02 PM

I was wondering how you go about getting WWII service records? I am doing a bit of research on men from my local area who served in WWII. I got their details from a plaque in a local church. All it gives is their name and which branch of the service they were in. I have no idea what units etc. they were in. They would all originally have been from Dunkineely, County Donegal, Ireland. Their names are:

Fred Dunbar Army
Charles Henry served with US forces don't know which branch
Charles Nesbitt Army
Alan Walker RAF
Tom McCullough RAF

The names listed below may have entered service after the war had ended or close to the end of the war and may not have been in combat roles.

Frank Boyd RAF I believe he was mechanic and was possibly posted to Egypt towards the end of the war.
Herbert Coulter RAF
William Crawford Army
Albert Given RAF
Roy Given RAF
Samuel Given RAF
Frederick Henry RAF
Bob Long RAF
John Mackey RAF
Thomas McClintock RAF
Robert Shaw Army.

The RAF seems to have been very popular with the men from that area. I have no idea if they all survived the war or not. I know that Frank Boyd did but he died several years ago. Any help or information would be much appreciated.

GPRegt · #2 (**permalink**) May 26th, 2008, 08:52 PM

Unfortunately, Service Records are only released to those to whom they belong or their Next of Kin.

Steve W.

macrusk · #3 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2008, 02:13 AM

You might try PRONI and see if they will do a search for you. You could write the Imperial War Museum to see if they have records. Alternately you could look in the archives of any local papers to see if there was any write up on them both when they joined and during the war.

The Canadian Legion has a last post website, which often lists their units. Does the Royal Legion in Britain have anything similar where they may have listed out the names of those who died.

wtid45 · #4 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragnorak

I was wondering how you go about getting WWII service records? I am doing a bit of research on men from my local area who served in WWII. I got their details from a plaque in a local church. All it gives is their name and which branch of the service they were in. I have no idea what units etc. they were in. They would all originally have been from Dunkineely, County Donegal, Ireland. Their names are:

Fred Dunbar Army
Charles Henry served with US forces don't know which branch
Charles Nesbitt Army
Alan Walker RAF
Tom McCullough RAF

The names listed below may have entered service after the war had ended or close to the end of the war and may not have been in combat roles.

Frank Boyd RAF I believe he was mechanic and was possibly posted to Egypt towards the end of the war.
Herbert Coulter RAF
William Crawford Army
Albert Given RAF
Roy Given RAF
Samuel Given RAF
Frederick Henry RAF
Bob Long RAF
John Mackey RAF
Thomas McClintock RAF
Robert Shaw Army.

The RAF seems to have been very popular with the men from that area. I have no idea if they all survived the war or not. I know that Frank Boyd did but he died several years ago. Any help or information would be much appreciated.

Have you tried looking on www.cwgc.org it will narrow down if any of the above died as well as giving you in most cases regiment, sqdrn etc age, place of burial or comemeration, next of kin and address hope this helps.Jason

GPRegt · #5 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2008, 08:56 AM

Used this superb tool. Entered the word 'donegal' in the first 'Including' field and found 89 records. None matches those on ragnorak's list.

Steve W.

ragnorak · #6 (**permalink**) May 28th, 2008, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I take it WWII records are different to WWI records then? As far as I am aware anyone can get a copy of WWI service records. Checked the CWGC but didn't find anything.

macrusk · #7 (**permalink**) May 29th, 2008, 06:35 AM

Generally, WWII records are still restricted if they have been dead under a certain time period (in Canada 20 years and usually a family member) or to the Veteran only or someone with their written permission if they are alive. Records for those who died in wartime service are available in the same way as World War I - at least in Canada. If you check your national archives it will probably explain the process for accessing military records.