Did he really serve in the Army?

[chiddicks]

I received some information regarding my great grand uncle, Herbert Ernest Chiddicks from his sister in law who stated that
"Herberts nickname was Harry, he lost an eye watching the boys play "tip it", but was accepted in the Army Medical Corp, was gassed in France and died as a result of it after he returned home".
 This is not proven history just a verbal account.
This information was passed to me a few years ago and the lady has subsequently since passed away.

Now I have searched the numerous websites and have so far not been able to find any records whatsoever for him.

What I do have is as follows

Herbert Ernest Chiddicks was born on 28 August 1898 in South Ockendon, Essex, to Caroline Rosina Keyes, age 23, and William Chiddicks, age 32.

Herbert Ernest Chiddicks lived in South Ockendon, Essex, in 1901.
Relation to Head of House: Son

Residence
Herbert Ernest Chiddicks lived in Grays Thurrock, Essex, on 2 April 1911.

Death
Herbert Ernest Chiddicks died on 1 October 1923 in Upminster, Essex, when he was 25 years old.



Cause of Death
01 Oct 1923 • Cardiac Failure Pulmonary Tuberculosis
01 Oct 1923 • Harold Court Sanatorium, Upminster, Essex


Is there anyway to prove or disprove the story without any army records???!

I can't see his sister in law making the story up but without anyway of proving his service records I'm at a loss. Are there any other records that maybe might show his service?

Thanks
Paul

[CaroleW]

There is no medal roll index entry for him and over 60% of WW1 service records were destroyed in the WW2 blitz

[chiddicks]

Thanks Carole I have checked ancestry FindMyPast and TNA under various names with no joy.
I was just wondering if there was any other way of trying to prove if he served or not???

[MaxD]

If he was automatically awarded, or he made a claim for,  a pension as a result of the gassing) then there would be a record.  Pension records (in the absence of any other documentation - there is no Silver War Badge either) have been collated by the Western Front Association and, for a fee, they will look for a record.   http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/pensionrecords.html

However, the WFA have not yet been able to look up a record I asked for in October last year so be prepared to wait!

maxD

[chiddicks]

Brilliant thanks Max that's exactly what I was looking for that will prove or disprove the story hopefully.

If he was automatically awarded, or he made a claim for,  a pension as a result of the gassing) then there would be a record.  Pension records (in the absence of any other documentation - there is no Silver War Badge either) have been collated by the Western Front Association and, for a fee, they will look for a record.   http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/pensionrecords.html

However, the WFA have not yet been able to look up a record I asked for in October last year so be prepared to wait!

maxD

[NicD]

I found my Gt Grandfather's Pension record on Ancestry? Does the WFA have something different?

[MaxD]

Yes, the WFA have the record cards used by the Ministry of Pensions.    http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/all-about-the-wfa/wfa-news-events/pension-records/pension-records-cards-examples.html#sthash.VKkMld2O.dpbs
The Great War (there are others) pension records held by Ancestry are Ministry of War records from the WO 364 an 363 series http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14568

Caution though Chiddicks - the lack of a pension record still only says he didn't claim/wasn't awarded one and in theory could have served.
I would look at the thing another way - The lack of a service or pension record is common. A man who was gassed must have served overseas, result a medal card and perhaps, if invalided out, a SWB, records of both were not affected by the second war.  The lack of these two as well would lead me to accept he didn't serve, at least overseas, and unless it makes an awful amount of difference, an acceptance that "there is no evidence to say the story is true" is probably the best way forward.

maxD

 

[NicD]

Thank you for that, I stopped at the Ancestry record I was lucky enough to find.
N

[chiddicks]

Thanks max I guess it's probably something I will never know for sure. Balance of probability hints that he was unlikely to have served.
I will follow on the western front association though just in case.