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Hi,

If there is anyone who's either descended from, related to, or otherwise interested in the Cooper family of Stourbridge, please message me. The family owned a large drapery & silk merchants in the High Street, run by brothers Josiah and William Cooper up until at least the 1880s, when their partnership was dissolved. If this is a branch in your tree, send me a pm.

Swampy

I'm looking for anyone related to the Vermont family from Bridgewater and/or Woolavington who might have any info regarding a Clifford Vermont or his sister, Lily. According to a postcard in my possession, in 1916 she was living at the following address: Prince of Wales, Woolavington, Somerset.

I think Clifford may have been wounded on the Somme. If anyone is connected to either of them, I'd like to hear from you, please.

Many thanks,
Swampy

Newfster et al, I wasn't questioning the quality of Ancestry's digital imagery, but rather their transcription accuracy. I can't speak for anyone else, but it has been my experience that Ancestry's transcriptions are markedly inferior, and more error strewn than any other similar online resources I've come across - and that's most of them. I have no axe to grind, but am simply calling it as I see it. I acknowledge the fact that any large scale project involving the transcription of information into search indexes, is bound to be subject to numerous errors & omissions. However, that acceptance shouldn't be used to establish any kind of benchmark for future projects, which is why I hope both the LMA, and Guildhall - who are presumably using public funds to commission this work - don't shirk their responsibilities, and ensure a rigorous system of quality control is implemented.

That said, I agree it will be a welcome development, which should prove a very valuable resource for all genealogists. And that is why I said, "...mustn't be churlish." 

Swampy

Hello Helga,

The only designated unit of West Kents serving in the Third Afghan War of 1919 was indeed the 1/4th Battalion, which was comprised mostly of territorial soldiers. However, men from other battalions, who were in India at the time, en route from various theatres of war awaiting repatriation, were sent up to Quetta, to reinforce them. One of them was my own grandfather, who had been in Mesopotamia, serving with the 2nd Battalion. Perhaps your great-grandfather was similarly drafted in to reinforce the 1/4th Battalion.

The 1/4th Btn saw active service in Afghanistan, and distinguished themselves in the Battle of Spin Baldak, which resulted in the capture of the massive, and heavily fortified strategic Afghan stronghold.

I have much more information, including some photos, which might be of interest, so send me a pm if you'd like more details.

Regards,
Swampy

Thanks for responding, but it's specifically an e-mail address I'm trying to track down.