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Topics - rjb1984

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Armed Forces / William Thomas Clarke - Boer war veteren?

« on: Saturday 06 April 13 22:06 BST (UK) »

Hi,

I've been researching an ancestor who I can't seem to find in the 1901 or 1911 census.

His name was William Thomas Clarke, born in 1872 in Christow, Devon, England. I've been considering that he may have been involved in the Boer War.Medal roll has two William Thomas Clarkes' listed.

I also saw a William Thomas Clarke listed, born 1872 but in Plymouth. Was wanting to check it out.

I'd be would be grateful for any other pointers...

thanks,

Rich

Durham / Darlington bridge works?

« on: Saturday 05 January 13 22:28 GMT (UK) »

Hi,

Does anyone know what the Darlington Bridge works were? My x2 Great Grandfather is shown in the 1911 census as working there as a labourer. His trade was that of a plumber and gas fitter.

I've tried googing it but didn't find anything obvious. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,

Rich

Armed Forces / Royal Navy 1861-1874?

« on: Thursday 27 December 12 15:14 GMT (UK) »

Hi,

I'm trying to work out the service history of my x3 Great Grandfather, John Scott. Born 1839, said to have attested in the Royal marines in 1861. I have found a record from the national archives which confirms this.

He then transfered to the Royal navy as a 2nd Corporal, a letter in the first service record suggests he joined the Naval police.

On his 'Navy' service page it lists two ships but nothing about being discharged etc. It simply has names of the two ships and then the dates he served on them.

In 1881 he is shown as a 'railway porter' at the age of 43.

I'm wondering if there's any service history 'missing' and also if he would have been entitled to a long service medal (as well as any others). Are there any medal rolls for the LSGC to Royal marines / Navy? Would he have been able to use his service between the two to qualify?

Tips / advice greatly appreciated!

Rich

Kent Completed Lookup Requests / Help with workhouse & illegitimate child brick wall

« on: Monday 17 December 12 21:38 GMT (UK) »

Hi,

I've previously had a lot of help from very kind and knowledgable people on here and now i've hit another brick wall on my tree, I thought it was time to ask for some further help.

My Great Grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Whitehead born 1876 Locksbottom, Kent. Birth certificate shows line through father and mother as a Maria Whitehead, a washerwoman. It shows place of birth as the Lockbottom work house.

Now her marriage certificate in 1894 to Thomas James Spragg shows a father, Abraham Whitehead, general labourer. One of the witnesses is an Abraham Beaney. They married in Stone, Kent.

Now I know that proving who her father really was won't be easy (and certainly not 100% either) but i'd appreciate some suggestions as to where to go from here!

Thanks,

Rich

Armed Forces / Medal roll & MIC card question (generic question)

« on: Wednesday 28 November 12 16:20 GMT (UK) »

Hi,

I'm trying to work out why my Great Grandfather is missing a medal from his group, he has the IGSM 1936-39 (no bar on miniature) in his miniature group and also wore the ribbon for years as a senior officer.

I've taken a look through the medal roll and noticed a couple of entries dated '1998' and also '2001'.

How do medals get issued? Does the C/O complie a list of those eligible and submit them? Is it down to individuals to submit a claim?

I've written to the medal office and had no reply since February this year. How do they work out entitlement? Are there MIC's similar to those from the First world war?

Thanks,

Rich

Armed Forces / Help identifing army? uniform

« on: Thursday 15 November 12 14:35 GMT (UK) »

Hi,

Bit of a long shot with this photo, it's the only known photo of my fiance' s great grandfather. Born 1905.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

Rich

Armed Forces / Help with army shoulder patch

« on: Thursday 15 November 12 14:26 GMT (UK) »

Hi,

I'm trying to work out which division my Great Grandfather was in during the second world war, he was in the Indian army as an officer from 1942 (previously the RIASC and ranked up to take an emergency commision)

I have this photo which was taken just after the second world war (I think) and i'm hoping someone can confirm which division he was in.

I've worked out that he became a Captain in March 1945 and i'd like to ID the shoulder patch which can be seen on his arm.

Please help!

Thanks,

Rich

Edit - The reason for trying to identify this, his service records covering his time in the Indian army as an officer are missing. The medals are in the family and show the Africa and Italy star (no bar on the Africa star). I know that he was in the RIASC and then in the Indian EME. I think i've narrowed it down to one of two infantry divisions. The 8th or 10th Indian Infantry division.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_8th_Infantry_Division

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_10th_Infantry_Division

Note the pictures of the identification insignia. The 10th one looks similar to the shoulder patch in the picture. However, with his medals is a patch similar to the one in the picture of the 8th Infantry!

Armed Forces / Help needed with Indian army ancestor (1939-45)

« on: Sunday 21 October 12 21:33 BST (UK) »

Hi,

I've had some great help from members on here with my Great Grandfather already, I tried searching for the previous topic about his medals but couldn't find it.

Francis Cumberland Lavers Clarke, 1906-1958.

I have his service records from the MoD which cover from 1922 to 1942 where it simply states, discharged to take a commission. I've contacted the British Library in London, where Indian records are kept and they sent all the records they hold relating to him. Sadly, these records cover from 1947 to 1958 when he retired (they cover his time in the Pakistan army)

There is a gap where Frank was an officer in the Indian army, from 1942-1945. His medals include an Africa star and Italy star, I have tried to post a picture but kept getting an error message. The Africa star is claspless.

I am trying to piece together his military service history during WW2 and would appreciate any pointers!

Frank was in the Indian army service corps and then in the Indian/Pakistan electronical mechanical engineers.

The army lists for this period mention that he was an emergency commissioned officer but instead of RIASC, show Indian army ordinance corps!

I've pieced the following together, from his two service records that I have as well as Army lists i've viewed at the Imperial war museum.

Private - 9/11/1924

Sergeant - 20/12/1927

Staff Sergeant - 20/6/1932

Warrant officer class 2 - 03/05/1941 (Info taken from IWM Indian army lists)

Warrant officer class 1 - Oct 1941 (Info taken from IWM Indian army lists)

Lieutenant 19/3/42

War Substantive Captain 1/3/45

Temporary Major 1/3/46

Temporary Lieut-Colonel 6/1/51

Colonel ?

NOTES

IWM Indian Army lists state -

Departmental officers IUL

October 1942
IAOC Workship branch - AOME's

Jan 1942
Sub-conductor

Thanks,

Rich

Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition / Deciphering an old letter reporting death of WW1 soldier

« on: Saturday 22 September 12 00:15 BST (UK) »

Hi,

As part of my Great, Great Grandfathers service record I found a letter from a doctor who performed the autopsy. Now some of the letter I can make out but other bits I can't. I don't have some of the computer tools capable of adjusting options to try and make out other bits!

I'm trying to work out a slight error between this record which suggests date of death was on the 3rd October 1918 and his death certificate which says the 18 September 1918! His regimental war diary explains that the company he was in was part of a major offensive on the 18th taking casualties. Understanding this document will help me understand how he died.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Rich