In Search of Richard E. Mealey's Regimental Number

[LostinEngland]

My husband's grandfather was known to be a gentle man who married later in life. After talking with family members we discovered that "Granddad Mealey" (Richard Edward Mealey B: 10/03/1901) served with the Lancashire Fusiliers from 1919-1926 and was stationed at the Northwest Frontier and in Dublin, Ireland during "The Troubles". From family stories, Granddad Mealey told tales of being shot at while at the Kyber Pass, we would love to know if these stories are true or simply family lore. The question is how to request military records without knowing Richard Mealey's regimental number? Any guidance would be welcome. Cheers,
Renee

[daggers]

Renee
Welcome to the forum. We aim to please but are not always successful.
If your man had served in 1918 he would have had a medal index card and this would have shown his number. As a regular soldier, not a Territorial or war-time volunteer or conscript he would have been in the 1st or 2nd Battalion of the regiment as the other battalions had all been stood down after the Armistice. I do not have any books or other material to say which battalion served where in those years, but will try to think of a possible source.
The Fusiliers have a museum at Bury, Lancs, and you might try them. There is probably a contact given on a website if you Google it.
D

[LostinEngland]

Thank you so much for the prompt reply. I know this question is a challenge due to the time period of Granddad's service. I've checked www.ancestry.com, www.findmypast.co.uk, The National Archives, and the Fusiliers Museum with no success. I am scratching my head wondering where I have neglected to search?

Cheers,
Renee

[dickiesam]

Thank you so much for the prompt reply. I know this question is a challenge due to the time period of Granddad's service. I've checked http://www.ancestry.com, http://www.findmypast.co.uk, The National Archives, and the Fusiliers Museum with no success. I am scratching my head wondering where I have neglected to search?

Cheers,
Renee

Hello Renee,
Try a contact via http://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/ They have a message board as well where you can leave a query.

[daggers]

If you have tried the Fusiliers museum, all i can suggest is that you apply to the Ministry of Defence in Glasgow for a copy of his service record. Post-WW1 records are not available from the online businesses. You have to pay £30 and wait months. You probably need a copy of the death certificate and some proof of your relationship.
Some kind soul can probably add the MoD details here. I am on an ipad and cannot.
D

[dickiesam]

If you have tried the Fusiliers museum, all i can suggest is that you apply to the Ministry of Defence in Glasgow for a copy of his service record. Post-WW1 records are not available from the online businesses. You have to pay £30 and wait months. You probably need a copy of the death certificate and some proof of your relationship.
Some kind soul can probably add the MoD details here. I am on an ipad and cannot.
D

Here you go....
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/About ... ceRecords/

[daggers]

Thanks! Always reliable.
D

[LostinEngland]

Thanks everyone! I've posted a message on the Lancashire's Fusilier's Board and will keep my fingers crossed. In the meantime, I will go a head and submit the inquiry to the MoD and hope for the best! Is the timeline for a response really SEVERAL months?

[dickiesam]

Thanks everyone! I've posted a message on the Lancashire's Fusilier's Board and will keep my fingers crossed. In the meantime, I will go a head and submit the inquiry to the MoD and hope for the best! Is the timeline for a response really SEVERAL months?

The MOD timeline is indeed up to 6 months and more, depending on volume. The Records 'Recovery' unit is quite small and with the upsurge in family history they are very busy. I applied for my records in September 2011 and they finally arrived in early May 2012. Mind you, they did write from time to time apologising for the delay.

Do come back and tell us how you got on with the Fusiliers enquiry.

[Blue70]

I received my relation's WW2 service record recently and it took 11 months.


Blue

[Hilary]

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_rec ... cords.html

This site gives all the links to the forms you need to fill in to get service records and any supporting documentation needed. If you can't find it google veterans agency uk service records. It takes around a year and costs £30.