WO363 [Burnt documents]

[Sue Light]

Apologies for this if it's common knowledge, I'm possibly behind the times. While searching PROCAT for something totally different, I realised that the men whose service records have been found in the wrong reel of film, are now included under their full name in the on-line catalogue. So, for instance, if I put the name 'Harry Robinson' in the search box, and add 'WO363' as the department code, the results include the information that the service record of a Harry Robinson is also to be found in:

WO363/S453 Silver, Francis H - Silver, Leopold

together with the record for an 'E Brewster'

It gives no extra details, but must be a help when looking for missing men - I've now come across quite a few examples [including one called 'Wills' ]

I doubt if that Harry Robinson will actually BE my grandfather, but worth a check!

Sue

[Guest Simon Bull]

So this means, presumably, that in order to do a comprehensive search one needs to search:

(1) The two series of burnt records

(2) The three series of unburnt records

(3) The catalogue.

Nevertheless it is good news.

[Hope I have my numbers of series correct - a while since I have been to the PRO and actually done a search].