How do I find missing WW1 death information?

[charlotteuk]

When I found the death record of my grandmother's brother it included his army details, age and name & address of his parents.  I have just found another record which may belong to my grandfather's half brother but although the army number and battalion are given there is no age or next of kin.  I have looked on both the CWGC and Find my Past.

Is there any way I could find the missing details to verify the identity as I am not a direct relative?  Is it possible to get death certificates for wartime deaths? (I had been hoping the information might lead me to my grandfather's mother.)

Charlotte

[casalguidi]

Hi Charlotte

Yes, you can get death certificates for WW1 deaths but if he was killed in action overseas, it won't give any information of relatives etc..

When you say you have found a record that may belong to your grandfather's half brother, do you mean you found it via the Commonwealth War Graves?

Is this person listed in "Soldiers Died" Great War (findmypast) and is there a birthplace etc. given?

What are the details of this chap?

Casalguidi

[charlotteuk]

Hi Casalguidi

The name I'm looking at is Frank Willis and it is listed on the Commenwealth War Graves and "Soldiers Died" on FindmyPast.

I was looking for confirmation that this was Frank Willis, son of George & Emma Willis of Salem, Long Buckby who was born in 1895.  (My grandfather was Emma's illegitimate son,  he was brought up by her parents and she went on to marry George Willis )

Charlotte

[casalguidi]

Hi Charlotte

Which Frank or F WILLIS are you looking at on CWGC?

Have you tried the local war memorial if you know where he and/or the family were living at the time?  Similarly, local newspapers often had listings/obituaries of local men that died though it can take some searching if you don't have an exact date.

Casalguidi

[aghadowey]

If you have a date of death for this man how about searching local paper for an obituary? Besides notices put in by the family there might be something under local soldiers news in the paper.

[charlotteuk]

Thanks for the advice Casalguidid & Aghadowey.

I had been looking at the listing for Frank Willis from the Northamptonshire Regiment.  I shall try and find if there are any local newspaper records anywhere as the date of death is given.

Thank you

Charlotte

[atom12]

Hi Charlotte

Just to confirm that SDGW does state that Private Frank Willis, Regt No 15802 7th Bn Northamptonshire Regiment, was born at:
Long Buckby, Northants.  He enlisted at Northampton.  Died 3/9/16, KIA at France and Flanders.

He is the only Frank Willis who died with that Regiment, therefore you can be fairly certain you have found the right man.

Here is his medal card link:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01x4/

The medal card costs £3.50 to download.  They mainly tell of medals awarded and sometimes other information, ie theatre of war entry date, etc.

Here is a link to their museum who might have some information:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01x5/

[charlotteuk]

Thank you for your help atom12 - I have managed to download a copy of his medal card from your link.

Thanks

Charlotte

[Stebie9173]

15802 Frank Willis could not have been with the 7th Battalion for all of his war, as he went overseas in February 1915, long before the 7th battalion originally went to France (1-9-1915). He would therefore have previously served with the 1st or 2n battalion, and probably was invalided home with wounds or sickness, before returning to France to join the 7th Battalion.

He is not listed in the original Nominal Roll of 7th battalion men going to France from August 1915, so his joining the 7th battalion would have been after September 1915.

He would have enlisted into the Army in September 1914.


Attachment below is from the 1914-15 Star Roll of the Northamptonshire Regiment, Page B362. I don't have his details from the Victory/British War Medal Roll.


I hope this helps,
Steve.