Finding out what my Grandad did in the war
Discussion
)RacerMDR said:
Are there any websites that I can search for my (deceased) Grandads name to find out what he got his medals for?
I wish I'd asked him when he was alive - but I was young when he died - and didn't understand the importance of what they all achieved.
Basic question - do the medals have pictures of the King on them or teutonic-looking black crosses?I wish I'd asked him when he was alive - but I was young when he died - and didn't understand the importance of what they all achieved.
DubaiJohn said:
That's a very good question, I am in a similar situation. I know my Grandad was in Burma and a POW for a couple of years and awarded a couple of gallantry medals during that time but no other detail than that.
If you can find out his regiement, then their archives are kept and these are a good source. Any old photos? You could idwentify the cap badge from there. Without anyone to ask, or any medals of photos of him in uniform its very difficult to trace.thanks guys
in answer to what medals........not sure. I'll have to take a look at them (they are packed away). THere were four or five. Maybe just standard 'you were there' type medals....
although I do believe he was shot at one point.......as he told stories of being transported back in a plane that was having engine trouble
in answer to what medals........not sure. I'll have to take a look at them (they are packed away). THere were four or five. Maybe just standard 'you were there' type medals....
although I do believe he was shot at one point.......as he told stories of being transported back in a plane that was having engine trouble
Do you have the medals?
http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencefor/veter...
That will hopefully let you identify them. However, it won't really narrow down too much where your grandfather served or in what timeframe etc. If you can find out his service number or his regiment, you can get a lot closer.
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/servic...
Instructions of how to find full service records (next of kin can apply too)
http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencefor/veter...
That will hopefully let you identify them. However, it won't really narrow down too much where your grandfather served or in what timeframe etc. If you can find out his service number or his regiment, you can get a lot closer.
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/servic...
Instructions of how to find full service records (next of kin can apply too)
I think what most of us hope is that like all our forefathers 'He did his bit'
Along with the millions of others who kept the factorys going or worked the land etc. It was team effort overall. It was mainly a matter of pure luck if you were unlucky enough to be somewhere at the right time and place to do something heroic. Not taking anything away from those who saw action of course, hats off to them. But if you were a train driver for instance, you didn't get sent to the front very often, but every day you may have hauled a 1000 ton train full of bombs around the country.
Merchant Seamen get some of my most respect, little or no hope of survival in the first place, let alone resuce in the atlantic, if you were hit carrying a million gallons of petrol.
Along with the millions of others who kept the factorys going or worked the land etc. It was team effort overall. It was mainly a matter of pure luck if you were unlucky enough to be somewhere at the right time and place to do something heroic. Not taking anything away from those who saw action of course, hats off to them. But if you were a train driver for instance, you didn't get sent to the front very often, but every day you may have hauled a 1000 ton train full of bombs around the country.
Merchant Seamen get some of my most respect, little or no hope of survival in the first place, let alone resuce in the atlantic, if you were hit carrying a million gallons of petrol.
Edited by peterperkins on Tuesday 22 September 16:15
peterperkins said:
I think what most of us hope is that like all our forefathers 'He did his bit'
Along with the millions of others who kept the factorys going or worked the land etc. It was team effort overall. It was mainly a matter of pure luck if you were unlucky enough to be somewhere at the right time and place to do something heroic. Not taking anything away from those who saw action of course, hats off to them. But if you were a train driver for instance, you didn't get sent to the front very often, but every day you may have hauled a 1000 ton train full of bombs around the country.
Merchant Seamen get some of my most respect, little or no hope of survival in the first place, let alone resuce in the atlantic, if you were hit carrying a million gallons of petrol.
Quite right - I'm actually not looking to find some super heroic act. Just being there was heroic. I just have an interest to learn where he was. I know the job he did. (He was a mechanic apparently.......used to ride a motorbike at the back of the truck convoys and sort them out when they broke down)Along with the millions of others who kept the factorys going or worked the land etc. It was team effort overall. It was mainly a matter of pure luck if you were unlucky enough to be somewhere at the right time and place to do something heroic. Not taking anything away from those who saw action of course, hats off to them. But if you were a train driver for instance, you didn't get sent to the front very often, but every day you may have hauled a 1000 ton train full of bombs around the country.
Merchant Seamen get some of my most respect, little or no hope of survival in the first place, let alone resuce in the atlantic, if you were hit carrying a million gallons of petrol.
Edited by peterperkins on Tuesday 22 September 16:15
Well - at least thats what others have told me - he never spoke of it when I was a kid.
I'm not sure why, suddenly I have a craving to understand. I suspect its because the last of my elderly family hasn't got long left......and I want to ensure that what 'they' did isn't forgotten.
Maybe i'm just getting old myself
RacerMDR said:
Are there any websites that I can search for my (deceased) Grandads name to find out what he got his medals for?
I wish I'd asked him when he was alive - but I was young when he died - and didn't understand the importance of what they all achieved.
Is your nan not alive to ask? Failing that, ask your parents if they know? I wish I'd asked him when he was alive - but I was young when he died - and didn't understand the importance of what they all achieved.
RacerMDR said:
Are there any websites that I can search for my (deceased) Grandads name to find out what he got his medals for?
I wish I'd asked him when he was alive - but I was young when he died - and didn't understand the importance of what they all achieved.
Any photos of uniforms, cap badges, etc? I wish I'd asked him when he was alive - but I was young when he died - and didn't understand the importance of what they all achieved.
Good question and something I want to find out. My Grandfather was in from 1930 until 1946, sod that! The Northwest Frontier shows nothing has changed... He did get about a bit but never really talked about his time in service. He had some more but these are the main ones that are different to the Defence Medal etc.
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