Help finding Gt Grandfather records

[greenhalghio]

Hi all,

I am unable to locate my Great Grandfathers WWI records despite looking for a while.

According to family, he lied about his age in order to enlist which makes it hard to find as not sure what date of birth he would have given! We also believe that he was gassed and was maybe discharged on medical grounds and suffered breathing problems for the rest of his days.

His name is William Ernest Bowman, born 01/06/1899 in Runcorn,Cheshire

Any help/guidance greatly appreciated

 

[KGarrad]

Some two-thirds of the WW1 Service Records were destroyed in a WW2 bombing raid.

Have you looked for a Medal Index Card?

[Brentor boy]

As you are no doubt aware, a large majority of First World War service records were lost due to enemy action during the Second World War, so you will be lucky to find his records, even without the complication of a possible  incorrect age. There are two records that exist that might give you a clue.

Medal Index Cards list the medals awarded to soldiers. You can find these on "Discovery" - The National Archives. Currently you can view these free of charge, but they give little personal detail of the individual.
The other list is the Silver War Badge, which was awarded to soldiers prematurely discharged on medical grounds. This can be accessed on the "Forces War Records" site.
Comparing those two lists, the following individual appears on both. William E Bowman . 16296. Private. Border Regiment.
There is no guarantee that this is your great grandfather, but it might be worth your while to check them out.

[heywood]

Find my Past, newspapers has a snippet from weekly War Office Casualty List, 5th November 1918 which mentions - Bowman W E (Runcorn).
That could be him and might give his regiment.

[BumbleB]

Newspaper clip - King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) - 42895 Bowman

[MaxD]

42895 medal card (William Ernest Bowman):
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1428700

Further records for both do not seem to have survived.  A local connection is not foolproof but of the two I'd favour 42895 on the basis of his Cheshire roots.  The Border Regiment man was in a unit raised in Penrith, Carlisle, Kendal and Workington. 

MaxD