World War Two Research
Facts uncovered and mysteries solved
What Can I Do?
I can obtain WW2 service records for the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. These service records are often very difficult to understand, so I can interpret them for you and supply copies of Operational records (see below).
I can supply copies of War Diaries for the Army and Operations Record Books for the RAF, which give a day-by-day account of what your ancestor would have been involved in and where, giving a fuller picture of his service. This service can be provided if you have details of a man’s units with dates or as an addition to me providing you with copies of his service records.
Copies of Prisoner of War records, including, in many cases, a questionnaire giving details of their capture and confinement, completed by the man himself, can also be supplied. For prisoners of the Japanese, the original POW card is often available, which gives personal information along with date of capture and camps in which a man was held. The cards are written in English and Japanese.
Gallantry Medals can also be researched.
Please contact me if you would like me to research any of the above.
Testimonials
Living as I do, many thousands of miles from the UK, I do not have the ability to visit the National Archives nor I should say the 'know how' to conduct a proper search.
Therefore, like many people in a similar position, I needed to select a representative / researcher to complete this work on my behalf.
Unfortunately for me, my initial research was conducted by another organisation, with very, very limited results.
These searches can be deeply personal, in my case it was for military records for my late father. Feeling somewhat frustrated and a little sad, I made a decision to have one more try. Thank goodness I found Ann Swabey.
You will find Ann to be very prompt and professional in all her dealings and above all thorough in her research.
After, receiving the details she needed Ann took just a few days in uncovering the documents that were said not to exist! Pure joy!
If you are contemplating completing military or family research on a loved one or distant family member through the National Archives, then I urge you to strongly consider Ann Swabey as your choice as your personal researcher.Duncan Howatson Customer - White Rock BC. Canada
Ann Swabey has been recommended by the Museum of the Mercian Regiment (Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Collection) for many years now. Ann is quick, efficient and always manages to find information when all hope seems lost. Here at the Museum, we receive much praise for Ann’s work and have never had one complaint. Ann Swabey is highly recommended for all your research needs!
Jennifer Brookman Assistant Curator & Archivist, Museum of the Mercian Regiment (WFR Collection)
These are the words of the Regimental Headquarters Archives department of the Sherwood Foresters in March 2008 when I first came across Ann's name. "We can recommend a researcher who will carry out work on your behalf". I can agree with this wholeheartedly from my experiences over 10 years now, all the research being for the WW2 period. I have found her very efficient and most of all enthusiastic on whatever areas of research the work has taken us and have recommended her to others and each has the same option of the service.
Trevor Smallman WW2 Researcher
Ann has completed quite a lot of research at Kew for me over the past few years, which has involved both genealogy based research in WW1 era, as well as that for my own regimental interest in WW2. Through her efforts I have gained knowledge of entries in Medal rolls, service records, citations, War Diaries, Prisoner of War questionnaires, Merchant Navy records and even street directories.
Not only has she advised me on what is possible, she has gone out of her way to ensure that all avenues were investigated. When documents had not survived, as sadly is often the case, Ann has exhausted alternative sources on my behalf.
Her fees are very reasonable, cheaper than other researchers I contacted initially. She has always advised me of additional costs upfront and I always received copies of paperwork promptly upon receipt of payment.
I would highly recommend Ann to both beginners and to more advanced researchers who wish to gain access to archived material. Indeed, she was able to lead me through so much of my initial work and clarify what was available in the public domain, that I felt inspired to start my own commemorative website.
D Flanagan www.ww2guards.com
Ann Swabey has been the Worcestershire and The Sherwood Foresters Museum (The Sherwood Foresters Collection) recommended researcher for a number of years.
She has tirelessly carried out research for hundreds of families of former serving members of The Sherwood Foresters and their forebears at the National Archives at Kew in London.
Many people are aware that a large percentage of World war 1 records were destroyed during the Blitz in World War Two and so it can be disappointing for some but if there is anything to be found she will find it.
I have received countless emails, letters and telephone calls of praise from many of the families she has helped during these years and received not one complaint.
I G Edwards BEM Archivist WFR Museum - The Sherwood Foresters Collection