Hi Seaweed
I checked on the National Archives site on how many microfiche copies of the CR10, CR1 and CR2 cards they hold which have been extracted from BT 348, BT 349 and BT 350. Total was 1,033,214 compared with FindMyPast figure of 998,838. Difference is around 34,000 which is around 3% of the total. What happened there?
I thinks it great that they records are on line but I think that an opportunity has been missed by placing the Discharge A number inside the paywall. It cannot be used as a search tool. The present search tools of surname, forename, dob and birthplace are ok for CR10 and CR1 searches but are not good enough for the 400,000 CR2 records which frequently only give the surname and forename or forename initial ( was that an M or a W?). Its no accident that the original CR2 cards are indexed by Discharge A number.
If you were able to search by Discharge A number then it gives you the chance to bring together the individual's personal details on his CR1 card(s) and his voyage details on his CR2 card(s) quickly.
It would provide 'pouching by database'
It also means that someone who has obtained the Discharge A number from the NA ww1 medal card website, can do a very simple follow up on the FindMyPast site. (assuming that the number has been transcribed correctly)
What do you think?
ernestjames