Author Topic: William John Harris missing records  (Read 778 times)

Offline taffy64

  • RootsChat Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 125
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
William John Harris missing records
« on: Saturday 08 August 20 15:27 BST (UK) »
seek help with finding service record and or medal entitlement with Great grandfathers brothers military history.

William John Harris is believed to have served in the Army Service Corps....there is a photo of him in the uniform and he did serve during WW1. he was from Morriston Glam, Wales. He had a brother Philip. In 1911 census both are with mother is Winefred age 45. William is 21.
both lads worked underground.
He definitely served in WW1.....for how long we don't know, what he did or where served is known either.
when he left military he stayed in London area and was a tram conductor.  his mind was believed to be  affected. early twenties he went home to Merthyr, Wales, to stay with brother. then go to visit relatives in Swansea area (mumbles) where he then committed suicide, leaving a letter.
Family myth is that he was sacked from tram job following argument with female passenger concerning the war.
I am going around in circles, cant find anything.....but acknowledge that many of you are far more experienced than I in finding info.

any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Devon; Winsor, Elliott, Rattenbury, Blackler, Knapman, Earle, Rich
Monmouthshire, area of Machen, Harris
Monmouthshire; pontypool area, Morgan & HP Jones a baptist minister
Norfolk; Cater, Flood, Margerson, Woodcock, Darsley.
St Twynnells area of Pembrokeshire and Cole & Lewis
Northumberland; Davison, Godsmark, Ford, Crackett
Lewis, Cole & Beavan families from Boughrood & Glasbury in Radnorshire

Offline MaxD

  • Deceased † Rest In Peace
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • ********
  • Posts: 8,056
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 08 August 20 16:47 BST (UK) »
Did you know that some 60% of service records were lost to bombing in WW2 so the odds are always against finding records that can identify an individual.  Medal records show possibilities with variants of the name but these have no identifying detail. 

Have you sought out 1918 absent voters list for the place he was living?  Only some are on line, none for Wales that I can see.  These should give his number and/or unit.

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline taffy64

  • RootsChat Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 125
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 09 August 20 10:47 BST (UK) »
Had a look at absent voters 1918, unless I'm doing something wrong...I can't find anything.
Devon; Winsor, Elliott, Rattenbury, Blackler, Knapman, Earle, Rich
Monmouthshire, area of Machen, Harris
Monmouthshire; pontypool area, Morgan & HP Jones a baptist minister
Norfolk; Cater, Flood, Margerson, Woodcock, Darsley.
St Twynnells area of Pembrokeshire and Cole & Lewis
Northumberland; Davison, Godsmark, Ford, Crackett
Lewis, Cole & Beavan families from Boughrood & Glasbury in Radnorshire

Offline rosie99

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 42,062
  • ALFIE 2009 - 2021 (Rosbercon Sky's the Limit)
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 09 August 20 11:10 BST (UK) »
In 1911 census both are with mother is Winefred age 45. William is 21.
both lads worked underground.

Where are they living.
Census information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk


Offline ShaunJ

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 24,113
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 09 August 20 11:44 BST (UK) »
Quote
William John Harris is believed to have served in the Army Service Corps....there is a photo of him in the uniform

Can you post the photo?
UK Census info. Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline taffy64

  • RootsChat Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 125
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 09 August 20 11:53 BST (UK) »
Living...1911...at
32 cross st, Penywern, Dowlais. Which is in/near Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales.
Devon; Winsor, Elliott, Rattenbury, Blackler, Knapman, Earle, Rich
Monmouthshire, area of Machen, Harris
Monmouthshire; pontypool area, Morgan & HP Jones a baptist minister
Norfolk; Cater, Flood, Margerson, Woodcock, Darsley.
St Twynnells area of Pembrokeshire and Cole & Lewis
Northumberland; Davison, Godsmark, Ford, Crackett
Lewis, Cole & Beavan families from Boughrood & Glasbury in Radnorshire

Offline taffy64

  • RootsChat Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 125
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 09 August 20 12:16 BST (UK) »
My ability/knowledge of navigating through the various military sites/pages is poor...(going bald pulling out hair).
William John Harris' dad was deceased
So his next of kin would likely be his mother, Winefred.
Devon; Winsor, Elliott, Rattenbury, Blackler, Knapman, Earle, Rich
Monmouthshire, area of Machen, Harris
Monmouthshire; pontypool area, Morgan & HP Jones a baptist minister
Norfolk; Cater, Flood, Margerson, Woodcock, Darsley.
St Twynnells area of Pembrokeshire and Cole & Lewis
Northumberland; Davison, Godsmark, Ford, Crackett
Lewis, Cole & Beavan families from Boughrood & Glasbury in Radnorshire

Offline MaxD

  • Deceased † Rest In Peace
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • ********
  • Posts: 8,056
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 09 August 20 12:20 BST (UK) »
If you have only been looking on line for the relevant AVL then you haven't done enough.  As I advised in the PM go to the relevant county record office.  If he isn't there then he may have ben at home at the time of the census, he may not have served overseas, his records may be among the 60% lost in WW2.

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline ShaunJ

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 24,113
    • View Profile
Re: William John Harris missing records
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 09 August 20 14:21 BST (UK) »
Perhaps worth noting that Winefred used the spelling Harries rather than Harris.
UK Census info. Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk