Searching for the owner of these Army Records and Photos. (G.D.Dilley, born 1926)

Marcel

Marcel

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Marcel
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I've just posted these over on my photoblog. A friend has passed these onto me to try searching for the original owner. A challenge I've eagerly accepted.
They were found in a Barnn belonging to Beechwood Bungalow in Tottington a few years ago. The previous owners were Polish and knew nothing about them. The owners before that maybe used the barn as a chicken farm.

Link to photo blog
(I've added the photos to this post too).
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The information I have so far is

Name : GEORGE DESMOND DILLEY
Born : 1926
Height : 5ft 3in
Eyes : Grey
Hair : Brown
Army No : 14473615
Enlisted Corps : ROYAL ARTILLERY
Enlisted Date : 19th Sept 1945
Enlisted Location : LINCOLN

I believe he married someone named LANGFORD in Bury, Lancashire in 1954.

Anyway, I'm turning to the internet to find this man and/or his family so I can return these memories to where they belong.
I have faith in you internet. Spread the word and let's help :)

I have found that someone has "Bought a brick" at the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum in Bury in his name. This must mean there is still a family tie in the area, although I can't find any connection with the actual Lancashire Fusiliers.

Thanks.
 
Cool good luck with the search :thumbs:
 
have you had a look to see if there is any lincoln face book groups if si pos fire a post up on it?
 
Not yet, I think he only enlisted in Lincoln though. So that would mean his family was living around there at the time of enlistment?
I assume he moved to Tottington / Bury after leaving the army.
 
Check out the national archives online. They have the service records of everyone. Available. That may give you a good lead.
 
Thanks hoochy, will take a look.

Byker, national archives? The only places I've found want me to pay ;)
 
Well, it looks like I managed to find him!
A Facebook message I sent out of a few, managed to hit a target and she replied saying she was his grand-daughter. She's going to contact him and find out when's best for me to deliver the documents as he'd love to see them.
 
Congrats.. I love stuff like this. Makes my eyes water....You know in a manly way...Ahem
 
Nicely done Marcel!! :woot::woot:

Matt....ya big girl :lol:
 
Excellent!
Well done :)
 
Marcel said:
Thanks hoochy, will take a look.

Byker, national archives? The only places I've found want me to pay ;)
Click to expand...

Hum seems you're right. I've just discovered some medals from my Nan's brother, hidden in a box of photos I went through this weekend, so wanted to discover how he got them.
I've research relatives before and it was free, but I guess if there is money to be made...
 
Marcel said:
Well, it looks like I managed to find him!
A Facebook message I sent out of a few, managed to hit a target and she replied saying she was his grand-daughter. She's going to contact him and find out when's best for me to deliver the documents as he'd love to see them.
Click to expand...
Top result! I wonder what the story is with them ending up in the barn.
 
Byker28i said:
Check out the national archives online. They have the service records of everyone. Available. That may give you a good lead.
Click to expand...

The NA do not hold service records as such. They have some records for service personnel but none for the the WW2 period (other than POW records) and later. I've found the most useful ones to be the WW1 Pension Records and Medal Rolls. Even they are not complete, as many were destroyed by fire (then water) during WW2. If anyone requires a relative's service record for WW2 or later they need to apply to the MoD and a fee is payable. I have heard of cases where even then they may not be found.
 
What an amazing story - and I am anxiously waiting for the outcome. Let's hope they weren't hidden in the barn because he never wanted to see them ever again !! :)
 
Well, I met him and his daughter the other day, and delivered them to him.
He was incredibly chuffed....quite overwhelmed actually.
Such a lovely man too.

Then I got a phone call yesterday from the local paper, they picked up the story too.

Went with my friend today (Who was the one that found the photos in a barn about 13 years ago), and we met a photographer at George's home, along with his daughter and grand-daughters. Had our photos taken etc.
He even put his fusiliers beret on, full jacket with medals and a snazzy waistcoat. :thumbs:

Here are a couple of photos from the other day when we gave him his things back :

View attachment 10512 View attachment 10513
(click to enlarge, obviously)
The photo on the left is George, his daughter, and my colleague Mary.
And on the right, it's George, his daughter, and me :)

I'll link to the news article when it's printed and goes online (and take a scan if it doesn't appear online)
 
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