Hi Heather,

Thank you for looking for me. I had thought if I had his service number from Ancestry it would make my search easier.

I have found a little more info on him from my sister in law. I hope that pinpoints him a little more.

He enlisted as soon as war was declared (koyli) went to France and from there once the REME was formed moved on to Palestine.

Thanks for having another look.

Elaine.

Hi Heather,

Thank you for looking. I have found further info on him from my sister in law.
He apparently enlisted when war was called and was placed in the KOYLI Reg and sent to France. He was later transferred to REME and sent to Palestine once that unit was formed.(1942) He was there until the end of the War.

I was hoping that Ancestry would at least give me his Service number making it easier to trace him. Thanks again.

Elaine.

Elaine, I have just tried the new system for my missing uncle. You do not need service number if you have date of birth. You can enquire at NA ad they came back very quickly to say they do not have him. No cost. If they had found him they would have told me so and said how much it would cost to get the papers.
In my case they have advised I should now apply to Army file. I shail do that though I have little hope because I shave no info which says he did take part in the war. I only know he left home age 16 in 1922. I just assume he would have taken part in Ww2.
Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for that information will do. Fingers crossed.

Elaine.

Born April 1905, is this your man?


https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17614069
WO 420 - War Office: The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Other Ranks: Service Records

Reference: WO 420/43395
Description:
Name: W Pickard.
Service number: 7596640.
Date of birth: 11 April 1905.

Date: [1942-1963]
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: ARO000046551
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions: Open on Transfer

This record has not been digitised and cannot be downloaded.

This record requires preparation for production. It will take four working days to prepare.

You can order records in advance to be ready for you when you visit Kew. You will need a reader's ticket to do this. Or, you can request a quotation for a copy to be sent to you.

Hi Terry,

You are correct I am sure. I see he is listed as W. Pickard so probably the reason I was not turning him up as I kept using William.

I am going to pursue it now I have a service number.

Thank you very much I appreciate it.

Elaine in slightly warmer Ottawa.

Terry & Dave,

Have ordered the page information from the N.A. and for others it's cost was 8pounds 50p.

Reply by Feb 6th.

Fingers crossed.

Elaine.

You can apply for service records here https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service
They are free but take months sometimes before you can download them. If father in law is still alive he can apply fir his own records and they will have no area redacted. If no longer alive son can apply as NOK

Hi Bev,

Thanks for the suggestion.

I have already ordered them for a small fee from the N.A. so will wait to see what they send me. But.... I will also keep your suggestion in mind.

Thanks

Elaine.

Small Update.

Wm Pickard's material was found at the NA. I have order a copy of his records that are supposed to be sent to me prior to Feb 5th. That covers his time in the REME regiment. I am still waiting to hear from Doncaster re the time he spent in the Koyli Regiment.

Thanks everybody for you help.

Elaine.

Thanks Phil,

Have not received them as yet. Fingers crossed it does show All his service.

Elaine.