SherwoodForesters

[wayne1948]

Iam looking for anyone with knowledge of the Sherwood Foresters, "C" com 2nd Batt 1940/45 My father PteTom Stokes 4988009. served with the 8th army in Africa/Italy. at Casino/Al-emain All over the dessert I have been down the lines of the army museum & A.P.C. ect, so iam just hoping of the very rare of chance that there is someone out there that can help me. thankyou for taking time to read this as it means so much to me.

[gary baldy]

I suppose you have contacted the British legion?

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

[wayne1948]

yes and i got a little bit of onfo of them that i tried. to no avail! thankyou.

[gary baldy]

Does this regiment still exist? If so they will hold regimental records (i'm sure you know this already).
What about putting a little advert in the local paper ( i presume its in Notts) and most big local papers have a 'where are they now' type of column where old school friends etc post enquires.
I'm sure youve tried the Imperial War Museum?
Sorry i cant give you real help but good luck anyway.

[derekpara]

As a next-of-kin you will be able to get his full service record from the Army Records Office, Hayes, Middlesex. Also, if you go to the Public Record Office in Kew you can get out his battalion's War Diary (actually written at the time) and follow his movements virtually on a day to day basis. You won't find any mention of him, sadly, unless he was Mentioned in Despatches at any time. If you can't get to Kew there are professional genealogists who will quote you a fee for digging up information about him - and they are very good.at it. The PRO will recommend someone if you can't find one on the internet.

Good luck. If I think of anything else I will get back to you. People like your dad, and what he did for, should never be forgotten.

[derekpara]

Hello again, Wayne.

The Sherwood Foresters have got a website at www.army.mod.uk/wfr/association.htm

It lists local branches, and as a family member you could become an Associate member and I am sure you will be able to contact a few of your dad's old comrades via the association. Perhaps they have a newsletter which is circulated to other branches ?

At least it gives you another avenue to pursue. All the best.

[wayne1948]

Hi Derek.

thankyou for the info you have given me, I live in Manchester so going to London is out I am afraid, I did try a researcher but it started to cost money i could not afford, I realy think that after the struggle to win the war the govement would give free help to bonified people trying to keep the memory of the troops ect going. thanks one again for your helpfull infomation as all the info is very helpfull. Wayne.

[derekpara]

Hi, Wayne.

Why not try posting in the History section. There seems to be plenty of people there who visit the PRO regularly and would, perhaps, photocopy relevent sections of the battalion's War Diary which mention the activities of 'C' Coy. You probably know that an army company is about 100-120 men so the information would be quite specific to your dad, even if it doesn't mention him by name. I used to go to the PRO quite often myself but have moved out of range otherwise I would do it for you. Just offer to pay photocopying expenses etc. You might be lucky. Derek