ww1 missing in action

[aghadowey]

A few questions to clarify things for those of us reading this topic-

1) you say 'missing in action' but where does that information come from? official report? newspaper? family story?

2) why do you think he died? does family say 'Hugh died in the War'? or do you think 'missing in action' leads to 'killed in action'?

[5th in line]

Hi all. i certainly dont have any documentation.  all from family stories.  have checked scotlands people web site for deaths but not found.  always understood from older generation that he was missing in action presumed dead.  dont imagine that any of this too helpful. thanks

[aghadowey]

There are basically two types of WWI soldiers- those killed and those who survived. Dead ones much easier to trace as there is often lots of evidence to be found (CWGC database, rolls of honor- church, school, etc.- newspaper announcements, etc.). Those who survive are more difficult- post-War census not available if they stayed in U.K., common names mean can be difficult to find in Medal cards or death index, etc.

A few ideas- any photographs amongst the family (even distant connections) showing Hugh in uniform? (experts here could likely tell a fair bit about his regiment)
are you near local newspaper archives? (local to where High's family lived that is) means lots of trawling through lots

[5th in line]

the archives of govan press (local paper) are with mitchell library glasgow but not on line.  not sure how best to research this with no known dates.  would this mean checking all the way thru from 14 to 18? sounds like a massive job or are there any shortcuts

[5th in line]

sorry, should have said that there are no known photographs.

[IMBER]

As regards your query about the In From the Cold project they would have to know who it is that you propose bringing in from the cold. You can't claim he hasn't been commemorated without first providing hard evidence that he actually served.

Imber

[IMBER]

Have you checked to see if any of the family have his medals? His details would be on those.

Imber

[5th in line]

Thanks Imber for info on "in from the cold" that would probably explain "silence". I am unaware of medal whereabouts - family are pretty well fragmented.  Over the next couple of weeks I intend to visit govan library (they have a local history section) and glasgow mitchell library newspaper archives.

[lizzieb16]

Hi, just noticed your post about Hugh Fraser. I was the person researching him in 2007. Hugh Fraser who was born in Govan, Glasgow in 1890 to Donald Fraser & Catherine McFarlane Adam, was related to my husband's family. Hugh's sister, Catherine, was my husband's grandmother. My Father-in-Law was named after Hugh Fraser, and the name Fraser has continued right the way down the line to my eldest son. Hugh Fraser was killed in France on 19th May 1918 and is buried in Houchin Cemetery in northern France. Don't know if this information is of any use to you, or even whether he is 'your' Hugh Fraser that you're looking for. We even have a photograph of Hugh on his horse ready for war which he sent to his family prior to going off to fight. Let me know if I can be of any help.