General Chat

Can anyone help me to understand the information on the POW site .?
I have found who I am looking for, however, I do not understand what the reference No.s are for.
What are TNA Series & TNA Piece No.s. Where do I check this info?

I know when & where my dad was captured and how he escaped but I am trying to find out what camp's he was in.

Also can anyone advise me how I can view his army records.

I have so much old paperwork Re: WW11 but nothing helps me with the above.

Hope someone can help me.
Thank you
Maria :-)

Marie

TNA refers to The National Archives.

Marie the WW11 records for UK are not online. You can send away for them. Cost me and my cuz £30.

Well worth the money - a thick wad of docs arrived

I did enquire about them at the 2013 London Family research exhibition - was told there are no plans to put them online because of the cost. Load of rubbish as far as I am concerned.

Probably somebody will give you the link - I'll have to look it up and I'm not so fast as some

Contact Army Personnel Centre
Historical Disclosures
Mail point 555
Kentigern House
65 Brown St
Glasgow
G2 8EX

01412243030

You will need to fill in a couple of forms to prove you are a relation, they can be downloaded but the army website can be very confusing.

I suggest you give them a ring,
regards,
Mayfield

Mayfield thanks for that - just knew somebody would jump in and help out with the info.
I've now found the web link http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

Ref; The National Archives, you might find some help on this page and links

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/prisoners-war-1939-1953.htm

There are WW2 POW records both on Ancestry & FMP, the Ancestry one i s a free index.

Have a look if you dont subscribe and see a possible match, im sure if you give details it can be looked at.

This is what they say the records hold

This database contains a listing of World War II British Army, Navy and Air Force prisoners of war (POW). Information provided about them includes:
•Name

•Rank

•Branch of the armed forces

•Regiment

•POW number

•Camp type

•Camp number

•Camp location

•Record office

•Record Office number



George


Edit also on GR

Can't thank you all enough! So much info in such a short time.
Bless you all.
Maria:-)

He might have filled in a POW questionnaire which would be at the National Archives, which would give some detail about his capture and camps as well as some personal information. If you can let me have some detail, I'll have a look for you.

1st my thanks to Mayfield. I have just got off the phone after speaking to Historical Disclosures.

I have tried to figure out the TNA site, I must be thick, I just cannot understand what to do! However, thanks to Nameslessone for the info.

To George of Westbury. If you do have access to that info I would be so grateful
Details:
James Ruffles LC 5257391 1st Battalion Royal Worcestershire's.
captured Tobruk June 1942. Escaped and Arrived Switzerland September 1943.
Any infor welcome.
Once again, to all who have joined in, a big thank you.

Marie

Ive looked at the POW records on both FMP & Ancestry, sorry but nothing shows up for him.

Your best bet is to obtain his service records, which Mayfield gave you the link, i know you have said you have spoken to them but dont know what they said to you.

Next, i suggest yiou take up "was plain ann now annielaurie" offer by sending her a PM with the details, unless she sees yor reply and looks for you.

George

Marie

Did you see my offer regarding a possible POW questionnaire? Do you want me to look? - you haven't mentioned it

Oh yes please Annielaurie I would be very grateful. What info do you need?

Historical Disclosures are sending me an application form so that I can get his service record.
Thanks all.
Marie

The info you've given on the thread - name, number and regiment- should be fine.

I have just received an uncle's service records from Historic disclosures. They say you might have to wait up to a year as they are dealing with large numbers of living welfare cases. However I only had to wait 6 1/2 months. Cost is £30. Non refundable if they can't find a record. My uncle was a POW in WWll. The service record only shows him as missing, then as featuring on the German POW lists. There is no mention of where he was held, although I happen to have a postcard he sent from the camp (Stalag XXA). I don't think the German army told the allies where any particular POW was held.

Thanks for answers to Annielaurie & JMW.
It seems strange that when I have a lot of info but I just can't fill in the gaps.
Non of the official paperwork which was sent to my Mom ever said what camp/s in was in and like so many more folk it is now to late to ask her!
But maybe with the help of nice people the facts will come to light.
Thanks again.

Have sent a pm to Marie. I have the copies from the National Archives of his POW report which includes list of camps and dates.

So good to read that Annielaurie and once again GR members have come up trumps :-D ...do hope Marie comes back on as sure she will be thrilled with your find xx :-D

Hi all
At the present I am still reeling in amazement that strangers can be so nice. What a lovely community. I will keep you informed of my findings.
Marie Ruffles Sansoni

I think Annielaurie deserves a "GOLDEN STAR" Info received this morning. How does she do it? All I could have asked for.