Highland Light Infantry - William Baxter

[Drop Bear]

Hello to all.

This is along shot as I do not have any useful information.

I am trying to find out any information on my Grandfather. I have a photo that shows him in a uniform. I can see no badges or hats to identify what regiment he belonged to. The photo was taken by J. Jolly Carnoustie.

Family hearsay tells me he was in the Highland Light Infantry and they remember medals. All census information and birth death & marriage certificates tell me he was a miner.

If he was part of a regiment I would love to know more.

William Baxter
Born 9th August 1898. McDonald Street, Motherwell.
Parents William Baxter & Isabella Mitchell
Married 2 February 1917 to Mary Ann Jordan, Craigneuk
Died 14th October 1954. Law Hospital Carluke



Kind regards,
Liz

[km1971]

Hi Liz

I assume you have looked on Ancestry for possible WW1 records.

There are medal cards for six Wm Baxters serving in the HLI. Even if you can eliminate five you will still not have positive proof of the verbal history. As he was married in 1917 you should use the address given to try and find him in the 1919 electoral roll. It should record the fact if he was an absent soldier.

While you are at the local record office you should ask if a 'roll of honour' was produced for the area. Surviving soldiers sometimes paid for an entry to record their service.

If you find nothing it may be that the history refers to WW2. For that war men were awarded medals for 'home' duties. You could either wait until they release later records, or gamble £30 and ask the MOD to do a search based upon his name, DoB and regiment. It is free if his has a surviving spouse.

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

Ken

[Drop Bear]

Thank you for your reply Ken.

I have looked at all that you mentioned except for the 1919 electrol role. How do I access that?

I live in Australia and find it hard to access some information. His wife is deceased so that leaves it up to me to find anything. I found my Uncle's service record with less information and no knowledge that he was even in the military. The only positive that I have on my Grandfather even being in service is the photo.

Regards
Liz

[km1971]

I have looked at all that you mentioned except for the 1919 electrol role. How do I access that?

Hi Lizzie

You need to contact the local record office for the town he was living. You could start with a new question on the board for the county. Maybe SKS who goes there may do the lookup for you. Or they should at least be able to give you contact details. Some offices do a quick lookup for free. Others charge even for a 15 minute search.

Ken

[Drop Bear]

Thank you Ken, will try that now.

Liz