I would certainly agree with what Jean has said. I applied for my Grandfather's Second World War Service record in late August 2008. Along with the forms and cheque I sent a copy of the death certificates for both my Grandparents and a copy of my Grandfather's service number photocopied from his service book. I had the record back on 10th October, which was a superb birthday present! Regards Julie Goucher On 30 October 2011 18:28, Jean Wood <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Adding to what Nivard has said, a couple of words of warning. I applied > for my parents' and my aunt's military records 2 or 3 years ago - I had to > prove I was next-of-kin - I am not sure how close this has to be - I am my > parents' eldest child and my aunt never married. My father died in 1982, my > mother in 2006 and my aunt in 1986. > > > > I also tried to get the records of my mother's first fiance - executed > by the Japanese in Malaya in 1942. He was an only child; I have many > letters he sent my mother, and his mother was either always single, or > early widowed - no other known family, and no further ealier info, no birth > certs for either of tem. So I thought I would apply for his military papers > which might shine some light into this rather dark corner - I have lots of > detail of his service, India, Malaya and earlier. > > > > No chance! The woman I spoke to in Glasgow was VERY aggressive, > positively rude. I was NOT the next of kin and thus any info was barred > until 75 years after his death. So I will have to wait a further 6 years > now if I want to pursue this line of research. > > > > I smarted after her ticking off! > > > > And I know there are no other relatives - my mother and the letters he > sent her make this patently clear. > > > > Be certain you stress your relationship! If your intermediate parent is > still alive, (father?) you may need to ask him to apply for you. > > > > Jean Wood > > > > >