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→Army personnel serving after January 1921
<br>'''Note''': It appears that this database aid is not 100% accurate, as there is a known instance of a file which the MOD subsequently located, which was not included in the provided database.<ref>Dragoon [https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/255470-soldiers-records-after-1918/?do=findComment&comment=2584570 Soldiers Records after 1918?] ''Great War Forum'' 20 November 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2020.</ref>
Hints, mainly from WW2Talk Forum. Note however, release of record conditions appear to have changed during 2021, and it is unclear just what applies.
*"You want to get next of kin FULL records (make a note on the application for '''FULL''' records)"<ref>jacksun (Wayne) [http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/grandfather-ww2-rasc-burma-help-and-suggestions.47075/#post-555463 Grandfather WW2 RASC Burma - Help and suggestions!] ''WW2Talk Forum'' 18 April 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2016.</ref>
:'''Note''', to receive full records, either 25 years must have elapsed after death, or within 25 years of death, the consent of the immediate next of kin must be been given. '''Update''': It may not be possible to obtain full records (as at 2021/10/19). In July 2021 the MOD advised "Currently under the MOD Publication Scheme all we are releasing is a copy of the AFB200 & attestation papers (if held). These documents meet all our obligations of disclosure".<ref> J Kubra [http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/service-records-online-application-process.90243/ Service Records - Online Application Process] ''WW2Talk Forum'' 21 July 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.</ref>. Comments/complaints have been seen about the small number of pages of records received.*Generally a death certificate is needed (as at 2021/10/19). Previously it was said "They will accept anything that is proof of death, even a undertakers receipt or a photograph of a post war civilian headstone”. <ref>Drew5233 [http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/clarification-of-provision-of-death-certificate-service-records.49481/#post-582017 Clarification of provision of death certificate (Service records)] ''WW2Talk Forum'' 07 September 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2016.</ref> , however this may not currently apply. However, you do not have to supply a death certificate when the date of birth of the individual was more than 116 years ago.<ref>"Veterans:UK" fact sheet [http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140805133045/http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/service_records/army_pack.pdf Army Personnel Records And Family Interest Enquiries] UK Government Web Archive. </ref>:'''Update''' 2021, April: It appears MOD has changed procedures, and if you are a third party requesting a service record you must send a death certificate and that the alternative of proving that the person was born in excess of 116 years ago is only admissible when the next of kin is applying for the service record.<refname =MOD>hmsk212 et al. [https://www.greatwarforumgov.orguk/topic/290176get-copy-military-problemsservice-withrecords/apply-obtainingfor-ansomeone-rafelses-records Get a copy of military service-record/ Problems with obtaining an RAF Service Recordrecords] ''Great War Forum'' 15 April undated but retrieved 2021/10/19. Retrieved 16 April 2021gov.uk</ref>
*The next of kin hierarchy is explained on a WW2Talk Forum topic which also advises that “There is currently about a 12 month wait to receive the records once you apply”.<ref> jacksun (Wayne) [http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/ww2-soldier-research-tips-and-links-for-new-researchers.41567/ WW2 Soldier Research - Tips and Links for New Researchers], ''WW2Talk Forum'' 28 August 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2016.</ref> Currently 2021/05/28 it appears that very few, if any, applications have been processed since Corona Virus restrictions were introduced, so there is a growing backlog of unprocessed applications.
*Currently (2021/10/19) RAF records may be requested online, using a credit card, but this facility is not available for Army records requests.<ref name =MOD/> However, it is understood this facility will become available in the future for Army records.
*For help in interpreting the records, the Ministry of Defence archived webpage, [https://web.archive.org/web/20170821062907/https://www.army.mod.uk/welfare-support/23212.aspx Army Personnel Centre] contains a link (on the right hand side of the webpage, towards the top) to a list of Useful Abbreviations. The link is to a Document download, which depending on your browser, you may to locate in your downloads folder. (Note, this download remains accessible, even though it is reached through an archived webpage). Other list of abbreviations, from [http://www.armedforces.co.uk/abbreviations.php Armed Forces.co.uk] and from [http://cmhs.ca/index.php/leftmenu-abbreviations cmhs.ca]. [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/227048/acronyms_and_abbreviations_dec08.pdf MOD Acronyms and Abbreviations]. Definitions for terms and acronyms used throughout MOD documents. gov.uk. [https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/glossary Glossary: awm.gov.au]
====Died in military service from 1948====
