You may find that some of the e-mail addresses for people searching for friends etc fail to go through.  This is because many have changed to Broadband and not yet notified us of the change of e-mail address

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please read this page as it may answer your query without further research

The best current links for finding old comrades are:-

Forces Reunited
Friends Reunited

Click on whichever above site that you would like to visit.  There are other sites and some of these can be found here  In exceptional circumstances, the webmaster will add the name to these pages under the regiment with which the person served. Click Here to send an e-mail.

The Association magazine DEKHO! is published three times a year and requests to contact old comrades are regularly carried in the 'Old Pals' Corner'. Requests for information can be carried both on the website and in the magazine. Contact Phil at HQ.

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For UK Army Service Records, write to:-

Army Personnel Centre, Historical Disclosures, Mailpoint 400, Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX ask for a 'Certificate of Kinship' and tell them who you will be enquiring about.  You will then receive full instructions as to how to complete your enquiry.

There may well be charge at this time (November 2006) for living ex-soldiers' records but if they have died, you will only be able to get the records if you are the next of kin, and sign the 'Certificate of Kinship' to that effect.

You will need to give as many details as possible including:-

Full name
Rank
Service Number
Date Enlisted
Into which Regiment
Date Discharged
Discharged from which Regiment
Reason for discharge (e.g. medical - normal demob after WW2 etc.)

If you are not sure of his service number, do you know which Regiment he served in?  If the answer is 'yes', are they still in existence. If so, write to the Regimental Headquarters and they should be able to furnish you with the details that you require.  If the Regiment has amalgamated with another, you will need to do a web search on the Regiment or check the following site:

T.F. Mill's excellent and informative site http://regiments.org/milhist/uk/uk.htm

Whilst the army records will tell you what the subject did, it will not tell you where he actually served i.e. he will tell you that he served overseas in India but not that he was in Kohima.  For this information, you need to search the Regimental History books and cross reference them with the details on the records.

You may also be able to find information from the local branch of the Burma Star Association - it may be that there are still serving members of that regiment particularly if it was the 'town's' regiment e.g. the Leicestershire Regiment.

When the records do arrive, which may take a few months, these will advise on 'the next step' and go on to say 'Information about exact locations may be available from the "Commanders War Diaries" which are held at the Public Record Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. It must be noted that as the Public Record Office does not carry out searches on behalf of the public it is necessary to visit in person. If visiting Kew for the first time you must take with you some proof of identity e.g. a driving Licence or banker's card'.

It goes on to say: "Information on the Regiment itself may be held by the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ. if you wish to view a particular Regiment History an appointment is necessary and should be booked at least 24 Hours in advance. Appointments can be made by telephoning 020 7416 5342"

Some Regiment Histories have been published and may either be held by your local library or obtained through their inter-library loan service. 
 

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All of the Medals offices have now combined into one

To obtain RAF, Army, Naval and Royal Marine  medals, write to:-

AFPAA Bldg 250
RAF Innsworth, Churchdown
Gloucester GL3 1EZ

Bear in mind that replacement of medals is only offered to the recipient or the immediate next of kin, and then only when clear and documented proof of loss is provided.  If you do not qualify for this click here

The Medals Office provides two
main services:

• Issue of medals to those entitled persons who have never received them.
• Replacement of medals for entitled personnel, there is a cost involved, unless they can be proven to have been stolen i.e. a Police investigation number.

For both circumstances, an initial letter should be sent to the Medal Office explaining the precise request and the circumstances behind it. As much of the following information as possible concerning the original recipient or entitled person should be included and where possible backed up with photocopies only of supporting documentation (entitlement to medals is only determined from original records held by the Ministry of Defence).

You will need to know which Regiment your relative was in. If you are not sure of his service number, do you know which Regiment he served in?  If the answer is 'yes', are they still in existence. If so, write to the Regimental Headquarters and they should be able to furnish you with the details that you require.  If the Regiment has amalgamated with another, you will need to do a web search on the Regiment or check the following site:

T.F. Mill's excellent and informative site http://regiments.org/milhist/uk/uk.htm

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More information can be found at http://www.mod.uk/afpaa/mod_medal_office/index.htm

If you want replacement medals or miniatures, try

Toad Hall Medals on www.toadhallmedals.com

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Excellent Family History sites:-

http://regiments.org/milhist/uk/uk.htm#museum - this site will guide you in most aspects of family history.  If you scroll down that page further, you will also get details of Public Record leaflets etc.

http://www.regiments.org 

http://www.regiments.org/milhist/regtintro/index.htm

http://regiments.org/milhist/uk/lists/bargxref.htm

International and Empire histories

Cyndi's list - A Fantastic Resource Site

Family History Using Military Sources - Extremely useful site from Tameside Metropolitan Borough with flow charts etc.

Photographic Genealogy at http://www.ancientfaces.com/cgi-bin/index.cfm 

The Public Records office that deals with the Forces is at:

The Public Records Office
Ruskin Avenue
Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 4DU

Also try your local Family History Society who's telephone number will be in the telephone directory.

As more information becomes available, it will be published and hopefully help others like yourself.

For further information, you could also try the government's Veterans Agency which offers advice to veterans and their families on issues including claiming medals, housing, service and war pensions and tracing former comrades.  They are available on veteransadvice@veterans.mod.uk or by telephone on 0845-020302.

There will also be a wealth of information at the Regimental Headquarters or museums, but they may not be able to provide much information by letter;  it may be necessary to visit them.  

Whilst the army records will tell you what the subject did, it will not tell you where he actually served i.e. he will tell you that he served overseas in India but not that he was in Kohima.  For this information, you need to search the Regimental History books and cross reference them with the details on the records.

You may also be able to find information from the local branch of the Burma Star Association - it may be that there are still serving members of that regiment particularly if it was the 'town's' regiment e.g. the Leicestershire Regiment.

When the records do arrive, which may take a few months, these will advise on 'the next step' and go on to say 'Information about exact locations may be available from the "Commanders War Diaries" which are held at the Public Record Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. It must be noted that as the Public Record Office does not carry out searches on behalf of the public it is necessary to visit in person. If visiting Kew for the first time you must take with you some proof of identity e.g. a driving Licence or banker's card'.

It goes on to say: "Information on the Regiment itself may be held by the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ. if you wish to view a particular Regiment History an appointment is necessary and should be booked at least 24 Hours in advance. Appointments can be made by telephoning 020 7416 5342"

Some Regiment Histories have been published and may either be held by your local library or obtained through their inter-library loan service. 

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Welfare Help

There are a number of places that are there specifically to help former servicemen and women with their Welfare Needs whether this be care or respite care, financial help or whatever.  It may or may not be necessary to be a member of the organisation, but for the small costs involved, it would be worth joining for the help of others now and possibly you later.

Click on the link below or just scroll down the page:

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1. SSAFA. - The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association were formed to be able to help old soldiers with their Welfare.  This is probably one of the most important addresses to check first.  They have a web site at

www.ssafa.org.uk

and can be contact through the site or and by post to:

SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association )
19 Queen Elizabeth Street,
London, SE1 2LP,
 

Telephone:020 7403 8783
Fax: 020 7403 8815

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2. 

The Royal British Legion (TRBL)

TRBL is the UK’s leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support.  You do not have to be a member of the Legion to be eligible for assistance.  The criterion is that you have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces.  In addition, their spouses, widows(ers) and dependants are also eligible.  TRBL provides help with immediate needs (e.g. household goods), mobility aids including electric powered vehicles, housing advice, property repair loans/grants, education and training, relocation costs, resettlement, small business loans, advice on war and disability pensions, compensation and assistance for partners and children. The Legion also has 7 Care Homes and 3 Welfare Break Centres.  The Legion also assists those veterans wishing to return to places where they fought during World War 2.  Telephone TRBL’s LEGIONLINE 08457 725 725 for further information or logon to www.britishlegion.org.uk

You can join the Royal British Legion at your local RBL club which will be in your telephone directory

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3. THE OLD REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION: Most associations from Regiments/Services etc. have their own Welfare Officer who can help and advise as necessary.  To find the details of the Association who covers your relatives former Regiment, go to:

http://www.burmastar.org.uk/associations.htm 

there you will find most organisations throughout the UK.  Write to the Welfare Officer concerned regarding the possibility of help.

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4. THE BURMA STAR ASSOCIATION: Many of the Association's Branches continue to function with a Welfare Officer who is there for the needs of Old Comrades.  But when contact them you should bear in mind that now the majority are well over 80 years of age. To obtain the address of the local Branch Officer, contact the Headquarters at:

The Burma Star Association
4 Lower Belgrave Street,
London, SW1W OLA
Tel: 020-7823-4283

The HQ Benevolence Secretary is: Miss R.D. Patrick BA

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VETERANS AGENCY

For further information, you could also try the government's Veterans Agency which offers advice to veterans and their families on issues including claiming medals, housing, service and war pensions and tracing former comrades.  They are available on veteransadvice@veterans.mod.uk or by telephone on 0845-020302.

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Commonwealth War Graves Site (Click link and go to the bottom of the opening page and click on 

TO SEARCH THE REGISTER 
CLICK HERE 

That will take you to the Debt of Honour Register and at the bottom of that page is the link SEARCH THE REGISTER Click that link and then follow the instructions.

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Prisoner of War Enquiries:-

There are numerous sites dealing with this aspect of the war in the Far East.  I hope the following links will be of some use:

The Far Eastern Prisoner of War website and contact addresses

Children of the Far Eastern Prisoners of War website

Changi Information Source

The following are also excellent sites:-

Lest We Forget - Details of a powerful book from Fred Seiker about life on the Railroad of Death

Talk by Fred Seiker to the 3 Pagodas Group on the Death Railway

A Hotton Captive's Account

The Death Railway by Scott Murray

There But For The Grace Of God - an Australian's life as a POW

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For Information about Changi:

Hamzah bin Muzaini
Assistant Manager, Consultancy Projects
Singapore History Consultants
Tel: 325 1633
Fax: 224 0136
Email: geashc@pacific.net.sg

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Sites for Battle Histories:

Great site with numerous helpful links    http://www.warlinks.com/

Kohima Links:

http://www.digiserve.com/peter/rwk/history.htm 

http://www.digiserve.com/peter/buffs/ 

http://www.ean.co.uk/Data/Bygones/History/Article/WW2/html/body_stand_at_kohima.htm 

http://library.thinkquest.org/19090/info6a5.html 

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Regimental Association Details:- 

This site has a list of almost every Regimental Association in the UK together with their postal addresses and where applicable, their web site addresses:

http://www.burmastar.org.uk/associations.htm 

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WORLD WAR II BOOKS

For a range of over 15,000 World War II books and advice and help second to none, click here

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THIS SITE

This site was created by ex-Royal Marine Paul Loseby whose father is a veteran of the Burma Campaign and was an active member of the Burma Star Association until his sad death in 2006. Paul put the site together at home in his spare time and in April 2006 the Association agreed to take the site over.

The information contained in the site is a result of contributions from veterans themselves.  It is hoped that these will continue and be built on by the Association so that in years to come, future generations can read about what the soldiers did in their own words and not those of people who may have never experienced those times.

It is hoped that we will be able to produce some aspects of DEKHO! on the site, in time.

Phil Crawley has taken on the role of Webmaster at HQ in addition to his full time role as Administrator of the Association and Editor of DEKHO! He can be contacted either at the HQ address or by clicking here.

It will take some time to go through the site and update anything that needs doing, but we will take it slowly and with Paul's continued help and advise hopefully keep it going well into the future.

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