Next of Kin.Completed Thanks

[cissellby]

Hi,
     I have found these details on the CWGC website.
John Hopcroft, died 16/8/1917, service no. 283922, Private, London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers.
How would I find the next of kin, as it is possible that John is my great uncle.

Many thanks,
Cissellby.

[Wendi]

Hi cissellby

Well here's his Medal Index Card at the National Archives 

His original number was 7183, Pte. London Reg.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/013t/

Wendi 

[harribobs]

he was born and resided in KENSINGTON, enlisted at White City

and was formerly in the 3rd London Regiment S/N 6700

[Wendi]

John Hopcroft birth registered in the district of Kensington Quarter to June 1889. Vol 1a Page 131

cissellby would you expect his parents to be George & Alice Hopcroft?

Wendi 

[cissellby]

Hi Wendi & harribobs,
Thanks for the replies to my post.
John was born 13.4.1889, he married Frances Burgin in Kensington 2.5.1915.
John's parents were indeed George and Alice.

Wendi, was this info from the 1901 census, or from army records, if from army records, I would have expected Frances Burgin name to be mentioned?

harribobs, why would John's service number change?

Cissellby.

[harribobs]

i'm no expert on the london regiment (a territorial unit) but i would guess he was wounded ( or sick) while with the 3rd (6700) and on return to a different battalion ( the 1/4th)  he was given a new number 7183, this was then changed to a 6 figure number (283922) in line with the territorial army instructions in 1917

(normally you would not see a change of number when a man changes battalions but there's no such thing as never! )

[Wendi]

Hi cissellby, parents names were from the 1901 census.  Does the info provided satisfy you that this very well could be your great uncles family?

Sadly about 70% of service records for soldiers from The Great War, were destroyed during enemy bombing in World War 2.  If you thought the connection was reasonably strong, it would be worth persuing his record to see if it exists, but it can not be done online.

Wendi

[cass]

Harribobs, how did you find the information of where this soldier was born and enlisted? I am trying to find the service records of my great great uncle John Joseph Sloan but cannot find his details. He was born in Cumbria around 1875 and I know was in the army when my great grandfather (his brother) enlisted in 1915 but cannot find him since. Do not know which regiment he was in. I have found court martial papers for a John Sloan who was 'shot at dawn' but these do not give personal details. Cass

[liverpool annie]

Hi Cass !

You probably have this list already .... but I'll post just in case ! .......

SLOANE John                                 Pte 3563             1/4 KOR Lancs                   Desertion                    16/07/1916   

http://www.shotatdawn.org.uk/page59.html

I'll keep looking ! but I wonder if you should post your own thread !! .....  I'll PM you if I find anything !

Annie 

PS Different spelling .......