10Clarionst...you're A Star!

[gness]

My father in law was injured in WW1 and spent a long time recuperating in a camp. He spoke little if anything of the war when he came home so information is scarce.

A niece is putting together his life story but struggling with much of his service history.

10Clarion mentioned today a service he is attending which led me to think about father in law's recuperation rather than service.

Not only have I found the camp but there is a lottery grant in place to research the history of the camp ......stories, memories and photographs are being gathered.

It may come to nothing as far as F is concerned....but we may learn a little.....or a lot....perhaps a photo or two.

So, 10C....thank you so much for putting that thought into my head.........lots to research and a place to visit.....but I have a good feeling......Gx

[Barmaid]

Gness, does your niece have access to FindmyPast and ancestry? If not, get someone you know to contact me thru FB and I'll happily look stuff up.

[gness]

Thank you, Barmaid....I will ask her......she's done lots of research but his name is missing from regimental lists yet she knows he served in that regiment....and has cap badges....and other bits. Maybe he served under a different first name or something silly.....

They were a funny family for not talking about the past......it's taken a nosy Irish woman to get some history......we're good at history!! :-)

Thanks...Gx

[Barmaid]

Do because at least you can just do a name search on FMP or ancestry and it will search all surviving records. Given he survived, there will more than likely be a pension record. Plus on FMP you can search newspapers too. All local libraries will normally have access to one or both.

[gness]

Thank you......she's just retired and able to give some time to this so the more information about where to go the better......I'll pass this on......xx

[10ClarionSt]

Brilliant, gness! I'm glad to have helped but it was only in a small way. However, if you know the regiment he served in, they may still have an active association or maybe a museum, or, a link to a local museum. Have you tried to obtain his service record? Or his personnel file? If you know his service number, it should be fairly straightforward.

[gness]

Thank you 10C....I've had little to do with the research...it's F's grandaughter who's doing it but though we know the regiment she can't find his name in any records.
I'll pass on what you and BM have suggested and I'm really hopeful that the thought you planted out of the blue will tell us lots.

He was in Summerdown Camp in Eastbourne and I see now that they had a project and exhibition in 2015......pity we didn't know then but better late than never and of course they will have kept everything they gathered together...
I've been staring at the photos of the camp hoping to spot him....difficult I know but he did have very sticky out ears.... :-)

I don't know when this idea would have come to me...if at all if you hadn't posted about your day out!

So thanks again...and to Barmaid too......Gx

[10ClarionSt]

Gness, you can still apply for his service record, even if you don't know his service number. It's a big bonus that you know which regiment he was in. I assume that you know the dates he served as well? You can acquire the application form from the MOD website, but you will need his birth certificate. Put as much information on the form as you can. This will help with the search for his record. I'll just have a look on Google to see if I can find the form.

[10ClarionSt]

Gness, here is the page advising how to apply for service records.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel
When I applied for my dads' record, I didn't know his service number but remembered things he told me, e.g. where he'd been and when. It all helped. I think it was easier that we don't have a common surname. In fact I think it ranked near the bottom of the list for surnames in this country. I hope this helps. Let me know how you get on. Well, how your niece gets on!

[gness]

Thank you again, 10C......I'll have to do some asking of the family......if they know anything at all.....they were all so bad at talking though I do know that many who came back from the wars were the same...

He died in 1948....has one surviving daughter who is in her mid nineties and it's her daughter who has decided to do this......

I can't even imagine who would have his birth and death certificates now.....I hope she has......

I have so much more information to pass on to her now since your post and though it may take some time I will let you know how she gets on....

And do have a lovely day yourself and tell us about it.....Gx

[10ClarionSt]

Gness, I've just realised that you will need his birth AND death certificates to apply for his service record. If you know the town /city where he was born, then apply there at the registrar for his birth certificate. Similarly, a record of his death will be held in the town/city where he died. I think the cost of a certificate is about £10, and the cost to acquire his service record is £25. The person applying has to the next of kin but if your granddaughter says it is her, there shouldn't be a problem. They're not going to allocate someone to check it out. Doesn't make sense. Anyway, I wasn't the next of kin when I got my dads' service record. That was my sister but I just did it anyway and I got it no problem. Hope it all goes ok.

[gness]

Thanks, 10C....I'll ask the granddaughter....she may have the certificates as her mum is Fred's last remaining child......but they'll know place of birth...well I hope they will!
I have very little as MrG was a lad when his dad died........x