Ouch. That's a tough one without a birthdate. Too bad it isn't listed on the marriage certificate you have. It will be listed all through his service records probably. And your Dad has no birth registration or anything like that naming his Dad and listing his birth date etc? (I don't know about there, but here in Canada, a person can order a copy of the original birth registration with all sorts of info that's originally submitted to Vital Statistics. You would not get much info on a birth certificate which is basically a "carry with you ID card" but it does show birthdate
) The registration record is all the info that Mom and maybe dad filled out when baby was born and you must SPECIFICALLY REQUEST a copy of the official birth registration form when ordering from the Ontario Vital Statistics place!!!
You are extremely fortunate to have Thomas's service record number which guarantees the number and man are each other, so you have the right man as far as service records go if you order them and can get them from the National Archives. Proof of death is needed.
Of course if Thomas is still living at around age 98 now, no one can get his records without his signed consent. Not even any immediate family of his here
Browse through the Archives blurbs to learn their process and rules (see link below thats for the Archives site. Important to read through. I'll quote this part for you though:
Quote:
Access Restrictions
1) Access to personal information relating to an individual who is still living requires that person's signed consent.
2) If the individual has been deceased for less than 20 years, limited information may be released to immediate family. Proof of death and relationship must be provided.
3) There are no restrictions on access to information relating to an individual who has been deceased for more than 20 years. Proof of death is required.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/g...909.007-e.html
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Hard to find proof of death and that IS needed -obituary giving name/dates is acceptable to archives folks- see that website where it talks about "acceptable proof" for the archives.
Your DAD obviously falls under the category of immediate family as Thomas's son ... can this be proven through dads birth records or anything else official? ... anything showing the father-son relationship to this soldier and the marriage certificate helps too, I'm sure ALSO any correspondence between your mom and dad or mom and the army, if your dad has any of those old papers, just MIGHT have some info like his birthdate in there somewhere.
Any records your Dad has that has names, dates, places etc especially those linking your dad and grandfather as dad and son, can only help, and looks necessary to get records if his Dad passed away earlier than 20 years ago.
Even after 20 years when ANYONE related or not can order files they have to provide proof of death somehow that satisfies the archives people.
Is your Dad online and following this conversation and your search progress too?
Tired out here, half asleep
Back next time,
Karmen