Hello everyone!

[CuriousMonk]

Hi, I’m Sarah. New here & just starting to look into my family history. I have been given a photo of my grandfather whom I know nothing about other than his name…Samuel Monk. I’d love to learn more. I was going to ask for help identifying his badge but I’ve been told it’s Royal Artillery. Is there a way of finding out someone’s war record with just a name? Can’t attach the photo as it’s too big a file!

[peterd]

hi Sarah how old was he roughly ie if your 25 he will e about 70.

[CuriousMonk]

I’m 56. He died around 1981/2. My dad (Samuel’s son) was born in 1948.

[rockyfowler]

This may be grandad in bcc https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... onnections born 15 May 1908 die d third quarter 1981 ? If you look for Royal Artillery badge on E Bay it may be the same -it did alter slightly over the years Best RF

[peterd]

does it look like this

cap badge.jpg (133.98 KiB) Viewed 1175863 times

[BC Wench]

Firstly to say Welcome to the forum Sarah.

I have found this on Find My Past for a Samuel Monk.

Name Samuel Monk
Rank Driver
Birth Date 1908
Award Date 11 Nov 1948
Discharge Date 20 Nov 1946
Applicant's Delivery Address 12 Eel St Old Bury Nr B'ham
Service Group Number 21
Class of Release B
Service Number T/806530
Regiment R A S C
Stars/Medals Issued 1939-45; Burma; Defence; War
Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942

Like rockyfowler I also think that your Samuel Monk is already on the Black Country Connections web site which he has given you the link to. I have added some more information on these families.

I think this is your grandfather Samuel Monk's marriage to Winifred Davis (Widow) and she is on the 1939 Census. As you can see, she is married and Samuel would be in the RASC at this time.

Marriage: 28 July 1934 Christ Church, Oldbury (FreeREG)
Samuel Monk, 26, Bachelor, Boatman, Abode: Park Chambers Low Town, Father: John Monk, Boatman
Winifred Davis, 23, Widow, 3 Court 8 House Parsonage St., Samuel Parkes (Deceased) B: 1911
Wit: George Darby, Edith May Hale

1939 Census: 12 Eel Street,
Winifred Monk, 8 July 1911, Married, Unpaid Domestic Duties
Henry Samuel (Harry) Davis, 3 Aug 1932, Single, At school (Winifred's son with her 1st husband)
1 closed record

I have found some other information, but just wanted to see what you think of the above before I carry on adding the info onto Black Country Connections web site.

[CuriousMonk]

does it look like this

cap badge.jpg

Hello peterd, it does look a little like it. I put the picture on FB & someone said it looked like a Royal Artillery badge. I wish I could post the photo! Thanks for your reply.

[CuriousMonk]

Hello BC Wench,
Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to get that info for me! I did join find my past the other day & I managed to find some of what you’ve posted but I’m not very good on there to be honest & found it a little confusing! Maybe you could be my tutor!! I was told by my cousin that Samuel had possibly served in Burma & had been quite badly injured resulting in him having a metal plate fitted in his head I think. We had no proof of this though. The (only) photo I have of him is him in uniform wearing a cap with a badge, it’s blurry obviously but it looked like the one posted by peterd . Facebook said it was Royal Artillery . I wish I could post the photo! What is meant by “closed record”?
Thanks again!

[BC Wench]

"Closed Record" means that at the time of Find My Past updated their records, that person was still alive, so their name can't/shouldn't be entered. I say can't/shouldn't because my father-in-law's name was on there and he was still alive at the time.

[peterd]

Hello BC Wench,
Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to get that info for me! I did join find my past the other day & I managed to find some of what you’ve posted but I’m not very good on there to be honest & found it a little confusing! Maybe you could be my tutor!! I was told by my cousin that Samuel had possibly served in Burma & had been quite badly injured resulting in him having a metal plate fitted in his head I think. We had no proof of this though. The (only) photo I have of him is him in uniform wearing a cap with a badge, it’s blurry obviously but it looked like the one posted by peterd . Facebook said it was Royal Artillery . I wish I could post the photo! What is meant by “closed record”?
Thanks again!

got to this site and as them could they clean up and sharpen the photo it on Facebook "Photo Restoration Group"

[CuriousMonk]

Hi peterd….i have already posted the photo on a FB photo restoration site but nothing yet.

[peterd]

Hi peterd….i have already posted the photo on a FB photo restoration site but nothing yet.

is it this one https://www.facebook.com/groups/214126129681776/

[mallosa]

Hi, I’m Sarah. New here & just starting to look into my family history. I have been given a photo of my grandfather whom I know nothing about other than his name…Samuel Monk. I’d love to learn more. I was going to ask for help identifying his badge but I’ve been told it’s Royal Artillery. Is there a way of finding out someone’s war record with just a name? Can’t attach the photo as it’s too big a file!

Hi Sarah, I've sent you a private message

[Rob]

I know The Monk family from Eel Street they moved together with my maternal grandparents George and Rose Beard to Throne Road around 1951 and lived 4 doors down from them. Sam the grandfather was always down Eel Street in the 50's drinking at his Local The Brickmakers Arms known locally as "The Bottom"not to be confused with The Builders Arms which was on the corner of Little Eel Street and Portway Road known as "The Top". Sam the son was a good friend of my Aunt Dorothy(Dot) who sadley passed away last week aged 92. Colin Monk the other son was my age. There's a photo of him and me with other residents of Eel Street on this site.

[CuriousMonk]

Hello Rob, thank you so much for your reply. Really interesting to know a bit more. Colin is my dad. I’m sorry to hear about your aunt passing away. I did go to Eel Street a couple of weeks ago but it’s just factory units now unfortunately. I must have driven past there a million times but I never knew dad lived there. Dad also has a sister named Rose. She emigrated with her husband Ron Poulton to New Zealand in the 50s. Ron is no longer with us but Rose is still alive at 91 & with a large family over there. They also lived in Throne Road I believe. How do I find the picture you mentioned please? Kind Regards.