Genealogy Forum UK

How do I go about searching for people who served in WW1 that did not die , is there any where you can do this on line please.

Annie

Hi Annie,

If you have full access to Ancestry they have,

British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920.
British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920.
British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920.

Hi Jimmy thanks for that , I don't have full access bt been thinking about upgrading the one I have .

Annie

Who are you looking for.

Jimmy I'm looking for Joby Griffiths born 1889.

Annie

Where was he born, or where did he live.

Jimmy thank you for trying to find Joby , I went on the site to upgrade and found I could look at the those records I thought my subscription just covered the census and BMD index I had a search for Joby and found him straight away.

I am sorry to have wasted your time Jimmy but at least I've learnt something.

Annie

There is also the National Roll of the Great War. which is available on FindMyPast but not ancestry.

If you are lucky enough to find your relative in this it lists the battles they were in and other usefull information like the the medals they were issued and their last known address.

Where was Joby living when he signed up.

I can look to see if he is listed.

Hi Mark Thank you for that information , Job/Joby was living at Heckmondwike West Yorkshire and was born at Ellesmere Port Cheshire, and thank you so much for offering to look on findmypast and I would like to to take you up on your offer please.

Annie

He is not on the National Roll which is suprising since he signed up so early.

In fact, he signed up a day BEFORE England declared war!!!!

You can tell he is a very early recruit as he only commited to a years service.

He was in the army prior to WW1, retired and then joined up again.

Looks like he signed up twice after that as he was decommed in 1920.

It doesn't look like he saw any frontline action as he was transferred to a munitions factory in Glasgow.

However, he did land in France in early 1915 and that earned him the 14/15 Star.

You are lucky that his WWI record survived and has such little damage.

Hi Mark thank you so much for all that information, Job was my fathers brother and always said he was gassed while serving and was discharded and I was wondering if it was true .

I appreciate your help very much.

Annie

No mention of any hospital time in his records.

I can't see him applying for a pension after the war either.

Hi Annie,

Here's a breakdown of Joby's service records that may also give you somemore information and it seems the reason Job may have been posted to munitions work was that he contracted Hepatitis while serving in France and may not have been deemed fit enough to return to his unit.

Personal Details
Name: Joby Griffiths
DOB: (abt) 1889
Born: 81, St Saviours, Heckmondwike West Yorkshire
Address: 70 Brighton Street, Heckmondwike West Yorkshire.
Apparent age: 25 years 8 months
Height: 5 8'
Distinctive marks: None
Physical Development: Good
Vision: Normal
Wife: Ethel Maud Griffiths, nee Wakelin (spinister)
Married: 25th August 1915, Fulford, York, Yorkshire
Children: None
Next of Kin: 3rd August 1914: Annie (mother), 70 Brighton Street, Heckmondwike West Yorkshire. 25th August 1915: Ethel Maud Griffths (wife), 7 Alma, Fulford Road, York, Yorkshire
Trade or Calling: Mechanic
Served in His Majesty's forces prior: Yes RFA (Royal Field Artillary)

Attestation of Service
Attestation form: Short Service (1 year)
Enlistment date: 3rd, August 1914
Enlistment approved: 5th August 1914, Heckmondwike
Regiment posting details: 6th Battery, RFA (Royal Field Artillary) Reg No: 1459 & 780305

Statement of Service
Joined: 3rd August 1914, 6th Battery, RFA (Royal Field Artillary)
Posted: 5th August 1914, Gunner 6th Battery, RFA (Royal Field Artillary)
Appointed: 3rd October 1914, Corporal Fitter 6th Battery, RFA (Royal Field Artillary)
Appointed: 24th November 1914, Sergeant Fitter 6th Battery, RFA (Royal Field Artillary)
Posted: 14th April 1915, France, British Expeditionary Force, 6th Battery, RFA (Royal Field Artillary)
Casualty: 13th September 1915, Hepatitis, in the field
Posted: 24th September 1915, England via hospital ship 'Cambria'
Posted: 5th December 1915, munitions work- Holwell Iron co, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Posted: 24th July 1916, munitions work- Messrs Beardmore & sons, Parkhead, Glasgow
Posted: 1st March 1917, RFA (Royal Field Artillary) 6th base munitions Depot, Glasgow
Discharged: 31st March 1920.


Medal entitlements
Medal Index Card
Name: Job Griffiths
Regiment: R.F.A
Regiment no: 1459 & 780305
Rank: Fitter Sergeant & Sergeant
Medals awarded:
15 Star: roll T.F RFA/10A0B page 1308
Victory medal: roll T.F RFA/135B page 6969
British medal: roll T.F RFA/135B page 6969
Theatre of war first served in: France
Date of entry there in: 15/4/15
Remarks: None

Check this website for further information on the R.F.A during the war and what a smashing picture of the troops.

http://www.1914-1918.net/cra.htm

Hope this helps Annie.

Kind regards
Adrian

Did you do that summary or was it available somewhere?

Hi Mark,

No I did a summary based on just the information.

I've always done that format from the time I researched my own relatives because I noticed I was missing some important data and it helped me concentrate on key areas.

It works well for me but I'm sure it's not for everyone.

Regards
Adrian