Nivard - thank you so very much! Will I get more information from the actual record on Findmypast? All those children were my aunts and uncles and I knew them all - my mum was born later in 1912. I had no idea on the groom - presumably serving in the Army would have paid more?! Would he have voluntarily been transferred to the Reserves in 1903? Why re-engage in 1908 for just four more years? I was told he was a Batman at Shorncliffe until he retired - would he have been in the actual Army to do that job? Linda On Sunday, September 7, 2014 9:07 AM, Nivard Ovington via <ww1-uk@rootsweb.com> wrote: Hi Linda His service record is available on findmypast He was a groom when he attested 13th March 1896 at Shorncliffe Served until transferred to Reserve 13th March 1903 (he does not appear to have been in South Africa) Re-engaged 12th March 1908 Discharged 12th March 1912 Next of kin William Henry father Wife Clara CHEESEMAN Children Mabel, Thomas, George, Annie & Arthur Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 07/09/2014 13:34, LINDA MARTIN via wrote: > My grandfather Thomas Oliver Hicks b. 1878, Chilham, Kent, signed up when was 18 in 1896. He was in the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 3rd Foot, Soldier # 5020. > > I "think" he was a career soldier, where could I find more information regarding where he served etc.? Are these records likely to have survived? > > Thank you, Linda ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WW1-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

My grandfather Thomas Oliver Hicks b. 1878, Chilham, Kent, signed up when was 18 in 1896. He was in the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 3rd Foot, Soldier # 5020. I "think" he was a career soldier, where could I find more information regarding where he served etc.? Are these records likely to have survived? Thank you, Linda

Hi Nivard, Thanks for your efforts. The marriage certificate just says "Soldier", so not very helpful, but it does confirm that he was in the army by 21 September 1918. I haven't had chance to rummage in the photos yet, but when I do, I'll re-scan and send them to you. Thanks again. Lesley On 03/09/2014 21:09, Nivard Ovington via wrote: > Hi again > > Sadly there is little to identify him in the photo > > The shoulder badge be help if you can find a better copy, this one is > just to low a resolution to enlarge enough > > Many shoulder badges form that shape and at an angle can be deceptive > > Do you have the marriage cert? if he was in the Army then it may show > his regt, sadly many just say soldier > > If he was in the Army by Sept 1918, he was either conscripted or joined > up before 1916 > > If you can find the other photo or a better resolution of this one let > me know and I can try again > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > > On 03/09/2014 20:04, Lesley Baxendale via wrote: >> Hi Nivard, >> >> thanks for the response. In 1918, James was living on Nansen Street, >> Seedley, Salford (he married in September of that year, so he may still >> have been at home). That came under Salford West I think. I can't find >> a Darley on any of the absent voters lists for Salford. >> >> One of the photo's I have is of him and my gran. It looks as though it >> might have been taken around the time of their wedding, but I can't be >> sure. He's wearing his uniform & there are no badges on the collar. >> There is one on his right shoulder, but I can't see enough of it to >> guess what it might be - could possibly be an ornate 'V'. >> >> I'll send you the photo off list. >> >> Regards >> >> Lesley > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WW1-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi again Sadly there is little to identify him in the photo The shoulder badge be help if you can find a better copy, this one is just to low a resolution to enlarge enough Many shoulder badges form that shape and at an angle can be deceptive Do you have the marriage cert? if he was in the Army then it may show his regt, sadly many just say soldier If he was in the Army by Sept 1918, he was either conscripted or joined up before 1916 If you can find the other photo or a better resolution of this one let me know and I can try again Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 03/09/2014 20:04, Lesley Baxendale via wrote: > Hi Nivard, > > thanks for the response. In 1918, James was living on Nansen Street, > Seedley, Salford (he married in September of that year, so he may still > have been at home). That came under Salford West I think. I can't find > a Darley on any of the absent voters lists for Salford. > > One of the photo's I have is of him and my gran. It looks as though it > might have been taken around the time of their wedding, but I can't be > sure. He's wearing his uniform & there are no badges on the collar. > There is one on his right shoulder, but I can't see enough of it to > guess what it might be - could possibly be an ornate 'V'. > > I'll send you the photo off list. > > Regards > > Lesley

Hi Nivard, thanks for the response. In 1918, James was living on Nansen Street, Seedley, Salford (he married in September of that year, so he may still have been at home). That came under Salford West I think. I can't find a Darley on any of the absent voters lists for Salford. One of the photo's I have is of him and my gran. It looks as though it might have been taken around the time of their wedding, but I can't be sure. He's wearing his uniform & there are no badges on the collar. There is one on his right shoulder, but I can't see enough of it to guess what it might be - could possibly be an ornate 'V'. I'll send you the photo off list. Regards Lesley On 03/09/2014 17:55, Nivard Ovington via wrote: > Hi Lesley > > Clean up operations involved a myriad of things, mine clearing, > battlefield restitution, finding and moving bodies, all sorts of things > > When you say he wasn't conscripted, I would suspect he probably was but > as he may not have served in a theatre of war he may not have earned > medal entitlement, or do you know for sure he didn't have any, or just > that none survive? > > All eligible men were deemed to have been conscripted in Jan 1916, some > were never called up despite being conscripted > > If you can forward copies of the photos I will gladly take a look to see > if there are any clues to be found, the higher resolution the better please > > Do you know where he was living in 1918? > > If so it would be worth checking the absent voters list for that > address, if listed he would have his regt and service number, not all > survive but well worth checking for > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > > On 03/09/2014 16:16, Lesley Baxendale via wrote: >> Hi All, >> >> I'm new to this particular list, so please bear with me. >> >> My maternal Grandfather was James Darley. I understand that although he >> wasn't involved in the fighting in WW1, he did go out to Belgium on what >> my gran called "the clean-up" after the Armistice. >> > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WW1-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Lesley Clean up operations involved a myriad of things, mine clearing, battlefield restitution, finding and moving bodies, all sorts of things When you say he wasn't conscripted, I would suspect he probably was but as he may not have served in a theatre of war he may not have earned medal entitlement, or do you know for sure he didn't have any, or just that none survive? All eligible men were deemed to have been conscripted in Jan 1916, some were never called up despite being conscripted If you can forward copies of the photos I will gladly take a look to see if there are any clues to be found, the higher resolution the better please Do you know where he was living in 1918? If so it would be worth checking the absent voters list for that address, if listed he would have his regt and service number, not all survive but well worth checking for Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 03/09/2014 16:16, Lesley Baxendale via wrote: > Hi All, > > I'm new to this particular list, so please bear with me. > > My maternal Grandfather was James Darley. I understand that although he > wasn't involved in the fighting in WW1, he did go out to Belgium on what > my gran called "the clean-up" after the Armistice. >

Hi All, I'm new to this particular list, so please bear with me. My maternal Grandfather was James Darley. I understand that although he wasn't involved in the fighting in WW1, he did go out to Belgium on what my gran called "the clean-up" after the Armistice. He worked for Metropolitan Vickers at Trafford Park in Salford as a coil winder, so he wasn't conscripted for the fighting. I have a couple of photos of him in uniform taken in Belgium. One looks like the sort of photo you might get at a seaside resort - there are three of them sitting in a mock row-boat, but I can't make out any detail on the uniform. Another shows the whole battalion marching near an ornate building somewhere in Belgium, presumably a barracks or a Town Hall. He was born in 1893 and would have probably joined up somewhere in Manchester or Salford. He may have been at Regent Road Barracks at some point. I've not been able to find any records on-line for 'my' James Darley and as far as I know, he didn't have any medals, so no medal card. Can anyone help me with possibilities of which regiment he might have been with, or more information about what happened in the 'clean-up' and what sort of work he may have been doing? Regards Lesley Baxendale Colwyn Bay, N Wales

<http://newsletters.wizontheweb.co.uk/t/ViewEmail/r/EB6BA6266E2D4EA12540EF23F30FEDED/75EC7964CE60FD456A4D01E12DB8921D> -- Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK)

Hi Paul This should help in deciphering the card <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/medal-index-cards-ww1.htm> See under 1914 star re the clasp NB many people have Ancestry who have the cards, so facebook is not necessary in most cases You could either post the image to a board and send the link in a post or put it on a free site like Flickr If you have any further questions do feel free to ask again Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 29/08/2014 16:20, Paul Ellis via wrote: > Hi Listers, > I have just downloaded the medal card of my great uncle 15760 William > Ellis, who was a driver in 55 Field Company Royal Engineers. > Underneath the details of his rank and medal entitlement is a qualifying > date, being 5.10.14. Below that is another entry under the heading > Action Taken. Clasp ----- I.V 903/c 19.4.20 cl/2/573. > There is a 4 letter word after Clasp which I can not make out. > Any help in deciphering this would be appreciated. I have uploaded the > image to Facebook at > https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203489518092786&set=gm.583811205062908&type=1&theater > > I appreciate that not everyone has a Facebook account but I didn't have > anywhere else to post the image. > > Regards Paul

Hi Listers, I have just downloaded the medal card of my great uncle 15760 William Ellis, who was a driver in 55 Field Company Royal Engineers. Underneath the details of his rank and medal entitlement is a qualifying date, being 5.10.14. Below that is another entry under the heading Action Taken. Clasp ----- I.V 903/c 19.4.20 cl/2/573. There is a 4 letter word after Clasp which I can not make out. Any help in deciphering this would be appreciated. I have uploaded the image to Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203489518092786&set=gm.583811205062908&type=1&theater I appreciate that not everyone has a Facebook account but I didn't have anywhere else to post the image. Regards Paul

Sadly that is not an uncommon problem :-( Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 05/08/2014 22:36, Ian wrote: > On 04/08/2014 22:21, Nivard Ovington via wrote: >> >> It may also be worth checking the absent voters list for the area he >> resided in > Sadly, the RO information leaflet informs me: > > "There are no separate absent voter’s lists for Gloucestershire districts" > > Looks like this could be a hard one to crack. > > Ian >

On 04/08/2014 22:21, Nivard Ovington via wrote: > > It may also be worth checking the absent voters list for the area he > resided in Sadly, the RO information leaflet informs me: "There are no separate absent voter’s lists for Gloucestershire districts" Looks like this could be a hard one to crack. Ian

Hello Nivard, Many thanks for that - really useful background. There were no children during the war years (my mother used to claim her arrival was a result of the homecoming celebrations) but the absent voters' lists sound an excellent lead, which I'll try to follow. Kind regards, Ian

Yes, that's the link Nirvard, thank you for sending it. I really do want to hear/see that broadcast again. My grandfathers on both sides both died at sea, one in 1915 and the other in 1917 - I have every intention of putting some sort of memorial for each of them on line when the time comes. Hope Liverpool will do something for the seamen who lost their lives. Marj Sorry I meant to add a link for that article At least I think its the one you meant I heard it earlier, the young lady was 16 I think <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments/a-history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments-helen-thomass-final-farewell-to-her-husband-the-poet-edward-thomas--i-stood-at-the-gate-watching-him-go-he-turned-back-to-wave-until-the-mist-and-hill-hid-him-9468425.html> Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 04/08/2014 22:31, Marj Bennett via wrote: > We don't usually chat on this list as it's quite a serious list for research, but this morning I watched the service from Glasgow Cathedral, which was altogether beautiful. > > But what impressed me most of all was the very young woman who read the words written by Helen Thomas, wife of the War Poet Edward Thomas. These words are available to read on the Wikipedia site for Helen Thomas, but it was the reading by the young Scots girl that brought real tears to my eyes and I recommend you to read them if you have not already done so - or find a link to today's service if possible. > > Normally I would send links, but I have a little but in my computer which is sending itself out to my address book - I do apologise for this if you have been hit by it. It's not a virus, just a pest, so I am very sorry folks. > > > Marj ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WW1-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7979 - Release Date: 08/04/14

Sorry I meant to add a link for that article At least I think its the one you meant I heard it earlier, the young lady was 16 I think <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments/a-history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments-helen-thomass-final-farewell-to-her-husband-the-poet-edward-thomas--i-stood-at-the-gate-watching-him-go-he-turned-back-to-wave-until-the-mist-and-hill-hid-him-9468425.html> Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 04/08/2014 22:31, Marj Bennett via wrote: > We don't usually chat on this list as it's quite a serious list for research, but this morning I watched the service from Glasgow Cathedral, which was altogether beautiful. > > But what impressed me most of all was the very young woman who read the words written by Helen Thomas, wife of the War Poet Edward Thomas. These words are available to read on the Wikipedia site for Helen Thomas, but it was the reading by the young Scots girl that brought real tears to my eyes and I recommend you to read them if you have not already done so - or find a link to today's service if possible. > > Normally I would send links, but I have a little but in my computer which is sending itself out to my address book - I do apologise for this if you have been hit by it. It's not a virus, just a pest, so I am very sorry folks. > > > Marj

Hi Marj Its hard to keep up with all there is being posted and on TV, radio etc Some interesting pictures from the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28636232 The rain of poppies is a marvellous picture As is the one of the Tower of London moat filled with poppies, one for every British & Commonwealth casualties Including one for my grandfather Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) with candle burning On 04/08/2014 22:31, Marj Bennett via wrote: > We don't usually chat on this list as it's quite a serious list for research, but this morning I watched the service from Glasgow Cathedral, which was altogether beautiful. > > But what impressed me most of all was the very young woman who read the words written by Helen Thomas, wife of the War Poet Edward Thomas. These words are available to read on the Wikipedia site for Helen Thomas, but it was the reading by the young Scots girl that brought real tears to my eyes and I recommend you to read them if you have not already done so - or find a link to today's service if possible. > > Normally I would send links, but I have a little but in my computer which is sending itself out to my address book - I do apologise for this if you have been hit by it. It's not a virus, just a pest, so I am very sorry folks. > > > Marj

I got my sources muddled when I was writing earlier - the full piece was printed in the Guardian - you will find it with this: A History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Helen Thomas's final farewell to her husband, the poet Edward Thomas - 'I stood at the gate watching him go. He turned back to wave until the mist and hill hid him... Sorry about that But what impressed me most of all was the very young woman who read the words written by Helen Thomas, wife of the War Poet Edward Thomas. These words are available to read on the Wikipedia site for Helen Thomas, but it was the reading by the young Scots girl that brought real tears to my eyes and I recommend you to read them if you have not already done so - or find a link to today's service if possible. Normally I would send links, but I have a little but in my computer which is sending itself out to my address book - I do apologise for this if you have been hit by it. It's not a virus, just a pest, so I am very sorry folks. Marj ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7979 - Release Date: 08/04/14 ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WW1-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7979 - Release Date: 08/04/14 ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7979 - Release Date: 08/04/14

I got my sources muddled when I was writing earlier - the full piece was printed in the Guardian - you will find it with this: A History of the First World War in 100 Moments: Helen Thomas's final farewell to her husband, the poet Edward Thomas - 'I stood at the gate watching him go. He turned back to wave until the mist and hill hid him... But what impressed me most of all was the very young woman who read the words written by Helen Thomas, wife of the War Poet Edward Thomas. These words are available to read on the Wikipedia site for Helen Thomas, but it was the reading by the young Scots girl that brought real tears to my eyes and I recommend you to read them if you have not already done so - or find a link to today's service if possible. Normally I would send links, but I have a little but in my computer which is sending itself out to my address book - I do apologise for this if you have been hit by it. It's not a virus, just a pest, so I am very sorry folks. Marj ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7979 - Release Date: 08/04/14 ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WW1-UK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7979 - Release Date: 08/04/14

We don't usually chat on this list as it's quite a serious list for research, but this morning I watched the service from Glasgow Cathedral, which was altogether beautiful. But what impressed me most of all was the very young woman who read the words written by Helen Thomas, wife of the War Poet Edward Thomas. These words are available to read on the Wikipedia site for Helen Thomas, but it was the reading by the young Scots girl that brought real tears to my eyes and I recommend you to read them if you have not already done so - or find a link to today's service if possible. Normally I would send links, but I have a little but in my computer which is sending itself out to my address book - I do apologise for this if you have been hit by it. It's not a virus, just a pest, so I am very sorry folks. Marj ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 3986/7979 - Release Date: 08/04/14

Hi Ian Even if he had not volunteered, he would still be deemed to be enlisted as of the 2nd March 1916 The age limit for conscription was 41, so he was still within the limits Unfortunately, if he served in the UK he may not have been eligible for any medals As you are probably aware, roughly two thirds of service records were lost in WW2 (including most of my relatives records) And don't be fooled into thinking the Army would use any expertise he may have had, they may have done but equally they could put him in any unit they deemed they needed men in Were there any children during the war years? births may mention a unit served in It may also be worth checking the absent voters list for the area he resided in (had he been at home) not all survive and are by address so you need that to check, if he is listed it should show the regiment and service number Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > However, in case it > opens other avenues, or anyone can find records where I have failed, > Alfred was born Lichfield, Staffs., 6th November 1876. son of Henry > Burton (1840-1887) and Mary Ann nee Parker (1849-1919). I believe his > training was undertaken in Birmingham - he is living with his widowed > mother and other family members in Ladywood in 1901, as a gold > jeweller, just a few streets from his future wife. By the time he > married Gertrude Perkins in 1905 at St Stephen's, Worcester, he was > resident in Stroud, Gloucs, where he lived the rest of his life - > except, apparently for his war service. He had shops there in > Gloucester Street and later at George Street. He died at Stroud, 26th > September 1942. > > Best wishes, > > Ian