Good evening, I am new to the website and have found it fascinating!
I am trying to find out something about my maternal grandad who as become something of a family enigma, but I have hit a brick all quite quickly! I know he was born in Chorlton, Lancashire on the 02 April 1902 and died in Camelford, Cornwall in 1983 and his name is George Haines. I also know he served with the Royal Artillery, maybe horse artillery, in the 1920's and he may have enlisted underage in WW1, but can't be sure. He was in France at the beginning of WW2 and was wounded twice. I also believe he was medically downgraded and spent the rest of the war as a POW escort. I don't have a very good idea about where or how to look, so I would appreciate some assistance or just a 'friendly nudge' in the right direction.

Regards, Iain.

As far as serving in WWI is concerned, there are medal index cards for 6 soldiers named George Haines, who served in one of the branches of the Royal Artillery [17 if you add those with second names]. A quick way to confirm if he’s one would be if you have a photograph of him in his uniform cWWII, if he has medal ribbons chances are they’re probably from WWI.

As far as ANY records are concerned, as he served in the 1920’s and WWII, they will still be with the MoD. Although it appears to be possible to obtain copies without a service number, the chances are reduced and there will be a charge whether successful or not. You need to complete SAR and kinship forms and provide proof of death [copy of certificate], see http://www.veterans-uk.info/ for full details.

Jeff