Absent voters lookup for William Campbell

[Bill 4423]

Hi
      I am trying to find out for a very elderly relative if William Campbell (his grandfather) had any military service, I did post the details he gave me in the WW1 forum a while ago with no luck, seeing as they are so good over there I’m assuming a lot/most of it is incorrect.
Info I was given he is fairly sure of
William Campbell
Born in Sunderland 3/9/1881
Died in Sunderland 10/6/1961
Had an older brother – Owen and a younger sister Mary, from what I have found they lived in Spelter Works Road.
Info he was told (not so sure of) when he died
A gunner in the royal artillery – was disabled from the army between 1914 – 1916?  apparently he was on a ship which was blown up? And was one of only a few survivors?
Would the absent voters list give me any information? I have found nothing military for this man  and seeing as he would have been around  33 in 1916 would that exclude him from the forces? Could he have been in another home force?
Any help or advice would be very much appreciated before I give up on this.

[ShaunJ]

Some 70% of WW1 soldiers records were destroyed by enemy action in WW2 so don't be surprised if records can't be found.

I don't see anything for him in  the available absent voters lists.

I've looked at Silver War Badge lists for soldiers named William Campbell discharged from artillery regiments during WW1 and cross referenced their service numbers to other records but I couldn't identify any likely candidates.

I think he was born in 1880 rather than 1881 ? (online trees, 1939 register).

Per public trees on Ancestry there was a daughter Agnes born in 1916 - perhaps check his occupation on her birth record?

[Tickettyboo]

Sorry but if its believed that he was invalided out around 1916 then the absent voters lists wont help as they were first compiled in 1918 so too late for your man.
Though I did search to be sure and can't see a William Campbell in Sunderland.

I also checked the pensions records in case he'd applied for a pension but nothing likely coming up there either.

Boo

[ColC]

Sunderland is not covered on the Absent Voters List on Ancestry; very few places are outside of London.

1911 - Owen 32 & William 30 both at 10 Spelter Works Rd Sunderland, where the family were in 1901.

Owen appears at that address on the 1939 Register with his wife & Son.

In 1939 William a labourer is living at  31 Luchmere Rd, noted as single but DOB 3 Sep 1880

William Campbell
Birth   about 1881
Death   04/1961 Sunderland Durham

Deaths Dec 1959   
CAMPBELL    Owen    81    Durham E.
      
Sorry if I have repeated anything.

Colin

[Bill 4423]

Shaun/Boo/Colin thanks for all the replies and information, I had thought if the dates were out, the AVL may have given a clue, It would seem to me he has been given one of those classic family stories that has been exaggerated and/or added to over time – he told me he heard these stories around when he died but was only a young man at the time.
Thanks again to all who took the time to look.       

[Tickettyboo]

The stories may not be exaggerated, but with the loss of so many WW1 service records its often difficult to be able to find information about a soldier.

Boo