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WW2 casualties

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welshbird

welshbird Report 29 Apr 2007 20:50

Hi there, does anyone know any good websites (especially free!)where I can find information regarding my relative who died in France during the D day landings? His name was Dennis Frederick Blosse and he was 19 when he was killed. He was a private with the Dorsetshire 1st brigade. That all I know about his life. I'd love any further info such as when he was born, when was he called up to war, any siblings etc. Does the army give such info about men who died in action? Thanks for your help.

Becky

Becky Report 29 Apr 2007 20:58

Try www.cwcg.org you can search for both WW1 and WW2 casualties. I've just searched and found his record: http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2045151

welshbird

welshbird Report 29 Apr 2007 21:09

Thanks Rebecca. This is the only entry I could find myself. It only tells you his date of death, not his dob, where he was born and when he joined the army. I will keep looking. Thanks.

Becky

Becky Report 29 Apr 2007 21:15

Hi, You can apply for his service records which should be fairly easy to do if you have his service number & regiment from the War Graves commission website. Have a look at this site: http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html I think you have to be next of kin, or have their written permission but the service records will tell you about their personal details (dob, next of kin etc) and all about their service - promotions that kind of thing. Hope this helps.

Frances in Norwich

Frances in Norwich Report 29 Apr 2007 21:51

Carolyn, I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread. I was interested because I would like to send for my Dad's uncle's records (my gt uncle?) Thankyou Rebecca for giving the address of the website, but I have a query? I have printed off the form and have all the info required, but I am not the oldest living relative. My gt uncle died in 1917, and there are 3 nieces and 1 nephew still living, does it matter that I am not the oldest? Any advice? Frances

Becky

Becky Report 30 Apr 2007 10:42

Hi, From looking at the Next of Kin form I think it has to be the oldest. http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/service_records/army_kinship.pdf You can still apply for the records but you will need to include 'written authority' of the person who is the next of kin. I think this just has to be a letter along the lines of 'I herby give my authority for <your name> to apply for the service records of <person whose records you want>.

Jennifer

Jennifer Report 30 Apr 2007 11:10

Frances, The records being refered to in this thread are for WW2, your man died in WW1, if his records survive they will be held at Kew and are available to anyone. Jennifer

Frances in Norwich

Frances in Norwich Report 30 Apr 2007 20:23

Thanks Rebecca and Jennifer for your replies. I appreciate the records may be available at Kew, but does that mean I can just send for them without worrying about next of kin? It would be difficult for me to get to Kew for several months, and I don't want to wait that long, lol! Frances