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Stumped tracing military record

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Gillian

Gillian Report 24 Oct 2010 16:39

Thank you all for your input.

It would appear, from what you say, that my father's records might be amongst those destroyed.

I've discovered that 'Absent Voters Lists' were compiled for service personnel in Oct 1918 and April 1919 and are viewable in local reference libraries. These provide regiment, rank, number, unit and home address.

I've emailed W'stow library in the faint hope they provide a search service (for a fee) as I'm not in a position to visit.

In the meantime, if anyone else has any suggestions I'd be grateful.

Thanks once again all.

Norma

Norma Report 24 Oct 2010 15:47

Hi Kath
that was intrresting as I found my Grandfather in 1916 he had been called up and was protecting the Liverpool Docks he must not have had any choice then.
Regards
Norma

Researching:
Bedford, Pickavance, Pell ,Powell .Murphy, Olsen .Brown ,Davis

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 24 Oct 2010 15:45

There WAS conscription in World War One. It started in 1916 after heavy losses on the Western Front.

"The Military Service Act of January 1916 specified that single men between the ages of 18 and 41 were liable to be called-up for military service unless they were widowed with children or ministers of religion. Conscription started on 2nd March 1916. The act was extended to married men on 25th May 1916. The law went through several changes before the war's end with the age limit eventually being raised to 51."

Kath. x

Norma

Norma Report 24 Oct 2010 15:42

Hi Gillian
Men were not called up in WWI they volunteered.
If he had served in that war almost half of the records unfortunately were destroyed.
The case for WW2 is different as all eligible men were called up.
Hope this helps
Good luck
Norma

Researching:
Bedford, Pickavance, Pell ,Powell .Murphy, Olsen .Brown ,Davis

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 24 Oct 2010 15:39

A lot of first world war records were destroyed by fire so even if he was in the army his records may not have survived.

Kath. x

Gillian

Gillian Report 24 Oct 2010 15:28

My father, George Alexander Fox, was born 11/09/1889 in Walthamstow, Essex. The 1911 census records him as 'labourer, blacksmith' living with parents in Walthamstow. He married towards the end of 1914; I am not aware of his trade then although he was, most of his adult life, a newsagent in Walthamstow.

I believe he had army service during WW1, but (using various on-line searches) can find no record.

There is no reason I can think of why he wouldn't have been called up. Any suggestions to help me would be greatly appreciated.