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ROYAL ENGINEERS RECORDS

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Joan

Joan Report 23 May 2007 18:40

Seeking information on EDWARD THOMAS COLLINS. He served as a Lance Corporal in the Anglo Boer War, took his discharge in South Africa, re-enlisted by volunteering during WW1 in 1915. Was deployed to France and was demobilised in 1919. He is my grandfather who left his wife, my gran, and his daughter in Natal, SA during the war and never returned home. His family were originally from Brighton, where he was born, and later relocated to West Battersea, Wandsworth. Father was William Henry, Mother was Ellen. Gran, to whom he was married, was Matilda Grace Maynard born in Brighton and served as a schoolmistress at Brentwood School before leaving for SA. Any help in finding his military records or his whereabouts after his demobilisation would be much appreciated. As reflected in the heading, he served under the Royal Engineers on both occasions. Kind regards Joan Cape Town, RSA

Heather

Heather Report 23 May 2007 18:53

Records will be at Kew. You may be able to find his medal card for WW1 which can be downloaded for £3.50 at National Archives documents on line. If you want his previous regular army records you can either go to Kew yourself and see if they exist or have a researcher do it for you.

Joan

Joan Report 23 May 2007 19:14

Thanks Heather. I've been on Nat Archives site but it's mind boggling. I do know that he was awarded the General Service & Victory Medals but don't have a clue where to find the date on Nat Archives. Any suggestions or guidance?

Heather

Heather Report 23 May 2007 21:15

Sorry Joan, Ive had a quick look and cant see a WW1 card for him - you may want to have a look: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/ Also, if you do want to hire a researcher to find his earlier records (a lot of the WW1 were destroyed) I know a chap who is very good/inexpensive and happens to be a Boer War expert. Let me know.