Service Records

[TheCamel]

I'm well aware of the destruction that was sustained upon WWI records in WWII by water after a fire at some records office. Well you've guessed it those records that were destroyed included my Grandfathers.

So, is there any way of piecing together some sort of service record and if it were possible to do what information would you need to start with as a minimum and where would you with this nugget of information.

What I do know.
His name. Frederick Walter Hiatt (although various records refer to him as Walter Hiatt)
His Medal Roll. http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec?h...c=&pid=1092097
Served in The OX & Bucks light Infantry
Joined 3rd Sept 1914
Transfer to Reserve form. Regtl No. 13944 Transfer to Army reserve 13th March 1919
Re-enlisted in RAOC for 4 years 28/5/20

My Father, his son, talked about his Dad (Walter) going to Ireland as a Black & Tan although it was years before he passed this nugget of information on and only close to his death did we get any other information. Not relevant for this purpose. Judging by his reluctance to tell us this we have to assume that the tale is true. Painful but true.

Any Military Genius' out there?

Alan

[JudithM]

As he was still serving in 1921 then its possible his service records wouldn't be among those at TNA anyway (burnt or otherwise) See here for how to apply for more recent records http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Ab...ePersonnel.htm

[TheCamel]

As he was still serving in 1921 then its possible his service records wouldn't be among those at TNA anyway (burnt or otherwise) See here for how to apply for more recent records http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Ab...ePersonnel.htm

Around 4 years ago somebody on a forum somewhere said they were going to the National Archives and did anyone have any names that they wanted to check. I passed his name on and the answer came back as "can't find him, i presume these were ones that were lost"

This is why I think i need to think outside the box to see if i can put together his "tour of duties"

Alan

[Elaine ..Spain]

The records for the period of service after WW1 are kept by the Ministry of Defence and you need to make an application for them - available to next of kin at a cost of 30 pounds.

Have you thought about looking for War Diaries - they wont mention him by name but they may give you an idea of the type of conflict he may have been involved in.