Research Services
Due to restrictions governing who can access records in South Africa, I advise anyone wanting research to be carried out on any South African service personnel to obtain the services of a researcher based in South Africa.
By using my research service, you will receive a detailed narrative report created using primary source material where it is available, regimental, and other formation histories, both contemporary and modern, newspaper and journal articles. My personal library is extensive, and comprises over 1000 titles in print and digital formats. You will also benefit from using a researcher with almost 30 years experience, with a military background, who can make sense of the multitudinous acronyms and abbreviations the services used in their records. The result will be a clearly written and informative report detailing your subject's military career.
Fees and Process
My fee for each research subject is 75.00€, although this may be reduced at my discretion if, for example, the available records and sources do not provide enough clear detail to enable me to write a sufficiently detailed report. I may also reduce my overall fee if I research a family group and there is repetition in my use of sources. You will not be charged twice for work done once.
The process is relatively simple.
In the first instance, you should fill in the contact form below, providing as much information as you have about each of the people you would like me to research. As a general guide, I suggest that the essential information required should include, the person's full name, date of birth, place of birth, names of immediate family (parents, siblings, spouse, children).
If you can provide any military information, please do. This is a great help in ensuring that I research the correct person, especially if that person has a relatively common name. Please provide as much of the following information as you are able to: What was their service, regiment, or corps? What was their service number? What rank did they hold? Did they survive the war? Did they serve abroad during the war?
I've created a questionnaire to help you. You may download it using the button below.
Please don't be put off if you cannot provide all this information, there is almost always a workaround to identify the right person, even without a complete base from which to start.
Once I have this information, I will acknowledge the order. I will then carry out the necessary searches. At this point it will become clear to me whether or not I am able to fulfil my commitment to write a detailed narrative report due to a lack of usable information. Should this happen, I will contact you and offer either a reduced fee, or the opportunity to cancel your order. I will make no charge for unsuccessful searches.
When the report is ready, I will transfer it to you, with my invoice attached. The invoice becomes payable on transfer. Please see the 'Terms and Fees' page for a full listing of the work I will do, and the report you will receive.
Should you have any questions concerning my research service, please don't hesitate to get in touch.