News story: MOD to attend Who Do You Think You Are live 2017

Experts from DBS within the MOD are to attend the Who Do You Think You Are live event at the NEC, Birmingham, between the 6 and 8 April. The show, a spin off from the popular BBC1 TV series, “Who Do You Think You Are?”, attracts over 12,000 visitors during the 3 days as it focuses on genealogy. The stand, supported by TNT UK Ltd, will be staffed by a DBS team from the Medals and Records Offices and will offer.

Displays of medals and service records

Medals and records advice, including identification of medals, entitlements, applying for medals and how to find out more, what records the MOD holds and how to access them.

Live post 1921 service record search facility.

The MOD continues to hold all service records where the individual had a discharge date of post 1921, these total around 10 million records, with about 500,000 having seen service in World War 1. Using a sophisticated database that supports the MOD’s main archive, an assisted search facility will in many cases enable confirmation of whether or not the MOD holds a record for an individual. This information can then be used to apply for the record using the forms on gov.uk. To assist the search some or all of the following information is required: surname, initials, date of birth and service number.

Interpretation of service records

If you already have a service record, but are unsure what it says or how to interpret it, then DBS experts will be on hand to assist you.

  • John Reynolds from the MOD’s record office; a keen army historian and serving reserves officer, John has conducted battlefield tours across the world
  • Stuart Hadaway from the air historical branch; Stuart has previously worked at the RAF Museum, Hendon, and is the author of military books, including “Missing believed killed: casualty policy and the missing research and enquiry service 1939 – 1952”
  • Sue Pass and Clive Clarke from TNT’s navy search service; Sue and Clive have a combined 17 years of experience working in the TNT’s navy search service, responding to more than 6000 enquiries a year

Issue of veterans badges

If you are ex-forces and haven’t yet got a veterans badge, then you can ask for one on the stand. Following confirmation of a service record identification and a check of the veterans badge database, the veterans badge will be issued. The following information will be required, surname, initials, date of birth and service number.

The DBS team look forward to seeing you!



BCC: Start construction on HS2 without further delay

Commenting on the granting of Royal Assent to the legislation for the first phase of HS2, Jane Gratton, Infrastructure Fellow at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Business communities will be glad to see the bill pass its final obstacle in parliament at long last, but want construction on the line to begin without delay.

“HS2 will provide much-needed additional capacity for the UK’s rail network, freeing up space for more local and intercity train services, and better east-west connectivity. This is crucial for supporting trade, exporting, tourism and business investment. It will also make it easier to connect businesses with suppliers, consumers and skilled workers.

“The new route must be properly integrated with the local transport networks, with more investment in local roads and public transport, to ensure that all towns and cities really see the benefits.

“The HS2 project is intended to boost the infrastructure capacity of the UK as a whole, so it’s vitally important that we see action on the other phases as soon as possible.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Senior Press Manager

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812



Sikkim becomes 22nd State to join UDAY

The Government of India and the State of Sikkim signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Scheme Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana



The Union Finance Minister will leave tomorrow for London, UK on a five-day official visit: FM to hold business interaction with UK-India Business Council, meet his UK counterpart and the Chancellor of Exchequer ,To deliver talk at London School of Economics on ‘Transforming India: Vision for the Next Decade” among others.

The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Aurn Jaitley will leave early morning tomorrow on a five day official visit to London U.K. from 24th to 28th February, 2017.



Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) launches a Mobile Application for Goods and Services Tax (GST) to inform the taxpayers of the latest updates on GST among others.

In step with the Government’s Digital India initiative, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has launched a mobile application for Goods and Services Tax.