What this is about

To mark the centenary of the Great War, I am researching the WW1 histories of my ancestors. This blog documents my progress.
To read a summary of what I've discovered so far, select an ancestor/family member from the list on the right-hand side.

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

John Lee's Final Effects


Ancestry have now digitised the Register of British Soldiers' Final Effects (held at the National Army Museum) and I have found my Great-Uncle John's entry. His page has been updated accordingly.

Friday, 16 January 2015

Frederick Samuel Jones

I have posted up a new page today - that of my great-uncle Frederick Samuel Jones (my father's 'Uncle Fred')

I have very little information regarding Fred's military service, save a rather fine photo of him in uniform, but have managed to glean some biographical information from censuses, letters and migration documents.

I live in hope that one of his descendants will get in touch!

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Cross referencing

Of the approximately 150 men who I believe to have transferred to the 9th Devonshire Regiment, only one service record survives. However it is still possible to view their entries on the medal rolls, and the smattering of Silver War Badge entries. Additionally, one among their number subsequently joined the RAF, and has some service details also available to view online.

Cross referencing this gives us a little more information, but also throws into question my assumption that Grandad was initially in the KSLI before being transferred to the Devonshires. I have factored all this into his entry.

Thursday, 20 November 2014

Grandad - More Information Comes to Light!


Thanks to the newly launched Herefordshire History website, I have found some important information on my Grandad's military service which confirms the fact that he was conscripted no earlier than 1st September 1917.

I have also discovered where he was working at the time, and what his job was, and have edited his page (see the right hand panel) accordingly!

Monday, 13 October 2014

John Lee Price - his page updated



I have updated the page dedicated to my great uncle John Lee Price.

Thanks to the Government Probate office's website, I have obtained a copy of his will, which gives us more information on which regiment he was serving in during 1918.





I have also found mention of him in a newspaper article from 1924, which reveals that his wooden grave marker was among 90 that were brought to England and erected at Cheltenham Cemetery for the dedication ceremony of the Cross of Sacrifice.

In a way then, John finally returned home.

Monday, 6 October 2014

Alfred Hill and the Derby Scheme


A very small, but nonetheless interesting update. After trawling through old copies of the Hereford Mercury I have discovered that my great uncle Alfred Hill attested under the Derby Scheme, and is listed in the paper as such.

Monday, 1 September 2014

Grandad at the Sambre



After downloading the war diary of the 7th Brigade from the National Archives, I've found a map of their section of the Battle of the Sambre, 4-8th November 1918, which shows the dispositions of the battalions (including the 9th Devonshires).

Comparing this with the 9th Devonshires' war diary gives us a better idea of their part in the battle, so I've put a copy up on to Grandad's page.