Military Chat

Records arrived and downloaded. First requested October 2023. So 20 months

Nothing exciting, Home service throughout. (He said to me that he was a Battalion footballer and was kept at home to help entertain the troops!)

I obtained my late husband’s WW2 RAF records within a couple of years of his 2009 death. I simply cannot recall whether I provided a copy death certificate.

My Father was born in 1917 (108 years ago), death certificate provided (died 1990), haven't been told I can't have his records, it's just that I still haven't received them yet.

For military records of people born between 1909 and 1939 (likely to have served in WW2), held by the NA:

"Military service records contain personal data, including medical information. They are closed under Freedom of Information (FOI) exemptions until 115 years past the date of birth of the individual."
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mod-closed-foi-request-step1


For records still held by the MOD -

if you can't provide the person's death cert, or if they didn't die in service, they're not available until 116 years after their birth.


I think the rules have changed in recent years.
I sent for a copy of my father's WW2 record in 2015, which was 100 years after his birth, and I'm sure I didn't have to send his death cert.
And at that time, it only took 3 months to arrive!

I requested my fathers ww11 records and was told that they will not be available until 26 years after his death - 2029!

Nor should it be...............

Just to let you know, I enquired after records I'd requested late 2023/early 2024 today as I still hadn't received them.

MOD Personnel records (Access Service Team) apologised for not being able to provide the information as yet. They say they are currently handling around 12,000 active requests, so it may take longer than usual to respond.

Having initially been given an approx. 6 months time frame, the average now is 10-12 months, so hopefully it won't be long before they arrive !!!