19
Armed Forces / Re: Boer war service: can anyone explain this?
« on: Sunday 28 March 10 12:05 BST (UK) »
Thanks, Ken. His name is James Aloysius Smith, service no. 6228, born in Canada in 1881.
Many thanks
Clara
Many thanks
Clara
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20
Surrey Completed Look up Requests / Re: Suicide in 1922 - Croydon newspaper search
« on: Sunday 28 March 10 12:03 BST (UK) »
Thanks, Valda - yes, the topic is completed.
Clare
Clare
21
Armed Forces / Re: Boer war service: can anyone explain this?
« on: Sunday 28 March 10 09:24 BST (UK) »
Sorry, Ken, I only have a hard copy of the record which I photocopied at TNA a few years ago; and unfortunately my Ancestry sub has run out. Not much help I'm afraid!
My grandfather's army record is on Ancestry so when I subscribe again (which should be soon), I'll post a link.
Many thanks for your help
Clara
My grandfather's army record is on Ancestry so when I subscribe again (which should be soon), I'll post a link.
Many thanks for your help
Clara
22
Surrey Completed Look up Requests / Re: Suicide in 1922 - Croydon newspaper search
« on: Saturday 27 March 10 22:04 GMT (UK) »
It seems that Croydon Library may be able to give me details of local researchers who can search the records for me. Yippee!
Though yippee does sound a bit un-PC in view of the prospect of uncovering a (fairly recent, ie 1922) family suicide.
I didn't expect to get too much of a response on this board (obviously such a big ask), but thank you Valda for replying.
Clara
Though yippee does sound a bit un-PC in view of the prospect of uncovering a (fairly recent, ie 1922) family suicide.
I didn't expect to get too much of a response on this board (obviously such a big ask), but thank you Valda for replying.
Clara
23
Armed Forces / Re: Boer war service: can anyone explain this?
« on: Saturday 27 March 10 21:43 GMT (UK) »
hi Ken, thanks so much for replying.
Just to clarify: the copies of my grandfather's army records are really difficult to read (obviously damaged during WW2). None of the pages that I have, have a number (or one that I can see/read).
The headings at the top of some of the pages say: Corps in which ?serving (difficult to read)/ Battn or Depot/Promotions, Reductions, Casualties, &c/Army Rank/Dates/ Service not allowed to reckon for fixing the rate of pension/Service in reserve not allowed to reckon towards GC pay/ Signature of officers, etc.
On one of the pages is when my grandfather enlisted/attested (25 Oct 1900), and this is stated as being '28 New Kent Road, SE' (there is no record of previous service prior to 1900). On another page of his records, the 25 Oct 1900 is crossed out and underneath it says that my grandfather joined the army at Birr (HQ of the Leinsters) on 27 October 1900 (another confusing bit of info: how could he have got there from London in 2 days at that time?).
Anyway, literally the next entry half an inch underneath, says (and I'm using the headings I've given above), Leinster/2nd/Posted/Pte/11.9.02/nil/nil/indistinct signature. Therefore there seems to be an almost 2-year gap in his army records.
On another page, there are details about my grandfather's medals: but they all related to WW1 (1914-15 Star, British something (can't read it), and Victory Medal - there is no mention of Boer War medals).
I have a couple of photos of my grandfather, when he was posted with the Leinsters to India in 1910-14, and it shows him wearing his Boer War ribbons. He's obviously got them, but I can't tie it up with his army record.
Thanks for any further help,
Clara
ETA: and I actually have these Boer War ribbons in my sweaty palms!
Just to clarify: the copies of my grandfather's army records are really difficult to read (obviously damaged during WW2). None of the pages that I have, have a number (or one that I can see/read).
The headings at the top of some of the pages say: Corps in which ?serving (difficult to read)/ Battn or Depot/Promotions, Reductions, Casualties, &c/Army Rank/Dates/ Service not allowed to reckon for fixing the rate of pension/Service in reserve not allowed to reckon towards GC pay/ Signature of officers, etc.
On one of the pages is when my grandfather enlisted/attested (25 Oct 1900), and this is stated as being '28 New Kent Road, SE' (there is no record of previous service prior to 1900). On another page of his records, the 25 Oct 1900 is crossed out and underneath it says that my grandfather joined the army at Birr (HQ of the Leinsters) on 27 October 1900 (another confusing bit of info: how could he have got there from London in 2 days at that time?).
Anyway, literally the next entry half an inch underneath, says (and I'm using the headings I've given above), Leinster/2nd/Posted/Pte/11.9.02/nil/nil/indistinct signature. Therefore there seems to be an almost 2-year gap in his army records.
On another page, there are details about my grandfather's medals: but they all related to WW1 (1914-15 Star, British something (can't read it), and Victory Medal - there is no mention of Boer War medals).
I have a couple of photos of my grandfather, when he was posted with the Leinsters to India in 1910-14, and it shows him wearing his Boer War ribbons. He's obviously got them, but I can't tie it up with his army record.
Thanks for any further help,
Clara
ETA: and I actually have these Boer War ribbons in my sweaty palms!
24
Armed Forces / Boer war service: can anyone explain this?
« on: Saturday 27 March 10 19:42 GMT (UK) »
A couple of years ago, at my late aunt's house, I found King's South Africa and Queen's South Africa medal ribbons (sadly no badges), which had been awarded to my grandfather.
I had already got of copy of my grandfather's army records from Kew and found that he enlisted into The Prince of Wales’ Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) on 25 Oct 1900. Obviously, the 2nd Boer War was being fought at this time, and yet after he enlisted, the next entry of him being posted is 11 Sept 1902. The Boer War was already over, although I know that his battalion (2nd Battn, Leinsters) stayed on in South Africa until 1905, and it seems from his records that he was there until that date.
Having read about the conditions for being awarded the KSA and the QSA on Wikipedia, I'm really confused as to how he managed to be awarded these medals/ribbons. Again, to emphasise: on his army records after his attestation on 25 October 1900, the next entry is almost 2 years later, saying that he was 'posted' on 11 Sept 1902, presumably to South Africa.
I would appreciate it if anyone could help me understand this: did my grandfather actually fight in the Boer War? The Wiki entries would suggest that he did, but his army records don't confirm this: there seems to be an almost 2-year gap between him enlisting and being posted.
I've tried to link the Wiki pages about the KSA and the QSA unsuccessfully, but they're not hard to find.
Any help would be appreciated
Clara
ETA: this has given me major brain-ache this afternoon...
I had already got of copy of my grandfather's army records from Kew and found that he enlisted into The Prince of Wales’ Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) on 25 Oct 1900. Obviously, the 2nd Boer War was being fought at this time, and yet after he enlisted, the next entry of him being posted is 11 Sept 1902. The Boer War was already over, although I know that his battalion (2nd Battn, Leinsters) stayed on in South Africa until 1905, and it seems from his records that he was there until that date.
Having read about the conditions for being awarded the KSA and the QSA on Wikipedia, I'm really confused as to how he managed to be awarded these medals/ribbons. Again, to emphasise: on his army records after his attestation on 25 October 1900, the next entry is almost 2 years later, saying that he was 'posted' on 11 Sept 1902, presumably to South Africa.
I would appreciate it if anyone could help me understand this: did my grandfather actually fight in the Boer War? The Wiki entries would suggest that he did, but his army records don't confirm this: there seems to be an almost 2-year gap between him enlisting and being posted.
I've tried to link the Wiki pages about the KSA and the QSA unsuccessfully, but they're not hard to find.
Any help would be appreciated
Clara
ETA: this has given me major brain-ache this afternoon...
25
Surrey Completed Look up Requests / Re: Suicide in 1922 - Croydon newspaper search
« on: Saturday 27 March 10 07:45 GMT (UK) »
Thanks, Valda, for your reply. I emailed Croydon Local Studies yesterday pm with exactly this request - we shall see!
I realised I would be lucky if anyone responded to my request on here, but it's so tantalising for me to have found this information about my (possible) g-grandfather, because I've had so much trouble over the years in tracking this side of the family down.
Thanks again,
Clara
I realised I would be lucky if anyone responded to my request on here, but it's so tantalising for me to have found this information about my (possible) g-grandfather, because I've had so much trouble over the years in tracking this side of the family down.
Thanks again,
Clara
26
Surrey Completed Look up Requests / Suicide in 1922 - Croydon newspaper search
« on: Thursday 25 March 10 18:54 GMT (UK) »
I'm hoping someone can help me with this request.
I've just received the death certificate for a man I believe is my g-grandfather, James William Davies. It seems that he committed suicide in Thornton Heath in 1922; there was an inquest held a few days later. The Croydon coroner's office is conducting a search for the inquest report, but apparently there's a good chance that they won't find it as they only retain 10% of their 'older' records (more than 15 years old).
My other alternative to find out more (and more specifically, confirm that this is actually my relative) is to see if there is a local newspaper article about this death. I live in N Lincolnshire so it's a long ride down to visit Croydon Library. Is there anyone who might be able to do this for me? I'm happy to reimburse any costs involved.
Many thanks for any help.
I've just received the death certificate for a man I believe is my g-grandfather, James William Davies. It seems that he committed suicide in Thornton Heath in 1922; there was an inquest held a few days later. The Croydon coroner's office is conducting a search for the inquest report, but apparently there's a good chance that they won't find it as they only retain 10% of their 'older' records (more than 15 years old).
My other alternative to find out more (and more specifically, confirm that this is actually my relative) is to see if there is a local newspaper article about this death. I live in N Lincolnshire so it's a long ride down to visit Croydon Library. Is there anyone who might be able to do this for me? I'm happy to reimburse any costs involved.
Many thanks for any help.
27
Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs / Re: Date for photo of motorcycle race, please
« on: Friday 14 August 09 18:54 BST (UK) »
Here's a section of the crowd a bit closer - not very good resolution, I'm afraid, but the best I can do.
Lots of women and girls with hats!
ETA: sorry, not any better than the original - I need to play around with this in Irfanview.
Lots of women and girls with hats!
ETA: sorry, not any better than the original - I need to play around with this in Irfanview.