Personal War Records

[fc101]

My father served in the RAAF as a LAC box packer in WW2.  I know he was in Borneo and participated in the Tarakan landings. He then went on to participate as part of the post war occupation forces in Japan and was in one of the atom bombed cities a couple of weeks after the event.

I would like to get a copy of his service record but not having much luck.  I have gone to the AWM site and searched the relevant area using his name but nothing come up.  It also links to the National Archieves and a similar search does not come up with anything.

Any ideas where to initially search online for the records before I put pen to paper to the RAAF, AWM and Archieves.

Thanks

Garry

[Mick]

Hi Garry,

If you look on the Deptartment of Veterans Affairs  (DVA) website there is advice there on obtaining copies of service records. Have a look and let me know if you have trouble.

Cheers,

Mick

[FFRMAN]

you can buy them online through AWM, search by surname or serial number

this is easier then actually going to the AWM

cheers

[fc101]

Thanks Mick - I will give it a go.

you can buy them online through AWM, search by surname or serial number

this is easier then actually going to the AWM

cheers

Thanks - As I indicated - tried that and it indicated no records held.

cheers

Garry

[Mick]

No worries Garry,

The AWM doc's I think only cover WW1 records at this time. The DVA site will direct you to relevant service (RAAF) Central records. On application they should provide service details and arrange any issue of service medals that may not have been issued / awarded.

Good luck and again if you have trouble please let me know.

Cheers,

Mick

[FFRMAN]

No worries Garry,

The AWM doc's I think only cover WW1 records at this time. The DVA site will direct you to relevant service (RAAF) Central records. On application they should provide service details and arrange any issue of service medals that may not have been issued / awarded.

Good luck and again if you have trouble please let me know.

Cheers,

Mick

HI Mick, Garry,

I got my Grandfathers records of AWM online, he was in the RAAF 1941 - 1948, he was a code breaker and seconded to US office of General McArthur and operated all through pacific - his "unit" was Ultra Top Secret and all information and records held for 50 years after 1948 (they where in Japan & Philipines for a couple of years working after the war).

I was able to access all the records nearly 10 years ago.

Once I had the records I was able to see he was awarded quite a few medals that he never claimed, I did the paper work ( a lot) and got them, including 2 U.S. medals

All the records are there, maybe a spelling mistake, try some variations, search by suburb, mothers name  etc etc

[fc101]

Thanks for the advice - after the Anzac Day commemorations have ended I will chase it up.

Cheers

Garry

[Vixen]

You could always try the National Archives website as sometimes records can be badly indexed and searching an alternative source helps.

www.naa.gov.au

I know they have both WW1 & WW2 records that you can request to be digitised if not already available. I am not sure if there is any restriction on records if the person that served is still alive. The records I got (WW2) were for a deceased soldier

[FFRMAN]

You could always try the National Archives website as sometimes records can be badly indexed and searching an alternative source helps.

www.naa.gov.au

I know they have both WW1 & WW2 records that you can request to be digitised if not already available. I am not sure if there is any restriction on records if the person that served is still alive. The records I got (WW2) were for a deceased soldier

Hi Vixen and Garry

I've just done the same thing and the link is

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service-records/index.aspx

cheers

[fc101]

Thanks Vixen - worked a treat and found 35 pages of personal records.  Not a lot of details on the actual war service but plenty of the admin side.  Does list Morotai and Tarakan but no details so I will need to see if unit records exist through the RAAF.

Cheers

Garry