This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jimlancaster94 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.england.lan.general/52557.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: You are looking for a Catholic children's home for three boys ca 1920 who lived around Barton on Irwell/Stretford/Trafford Park. This area is part of the RC Diocese of Salford and at that time its children's homes were operated by various religious orders under the supervision of the Diocesan Children's Protection and Rescue Society. The existence of records depends 1) on the records being kept and 2) on them surviving paper re cycling during WWII and the downsizing and closure of orphanages in the 1960s and 1970s. The best starting point will be the successor organisation to the Protection and Rescue Society which is known as Caritas Diocese of Salford. You should write to Caritas Diocese of Salford Cathedral Centre 3 Ford Street SALFORD M3 6DP info@caritassalford.co.uk There is a web-site www.caritassalford.co.uk > I also cannot find any military records. How did young men decide what regiment to join? Was it based on their religion/where their family was from (originally Ireland)? I have a picture of the three brothers in their military gear (attached). The picture is dated December 9th 1939. Initially, I think, recruitment was on a voluntary basis. Young men went along to a recruitment centre, usually near where they lived, and joined the forces. The local Regiment for Preston was the Loyal (North Lancashire) Regiment. Fairly soon conscription was introduced. Young men were 'called up'. They received a notice through the post and were told to report to a specific centre and then were allocated to a particular unit in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. For information about this regiment put "Loyal North Lancashire Regiment" without the " " into your search engine. The site http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/unit-info/274/ has some details of this regiment in WWII. However, the brothers may not have been drafted into the same units and the Loyals may not be the regiment. Hope this helps Jim Lancaster (Bury, Lancs.) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>