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Searching for Army Records

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 22:29

Hi,

I have the army discharge record with me from Jan 1918 and have army number rank and regiment, how can I go about finding out more about the solider?

I am thinking of the records you can see the celebs on Who Do You Think You Are get to see.

Thanks. :-)

Andrew

Andrew Report 31 Aug 2012 22:32

If they are WW1 then they are on Ancestry, if they survived. Most were destroyed in WW2!

If you want a lookup done, post the details you have.

Andy

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 22:42

I will PM you.

Thanks.

:-)

was plain ann now annielaurie

was plain ann now annielaurie Report 31 Aug 2012 22:45

As you presumably have his regiment and battalion you can look at the War Diaries, assuming they have survived, to see what he would have been involved in.

Can you post Regiment and battalion and I can tell you what's available.

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 22:46

3rd Battalion London Regiment

Thanks

was plain ann now annielaurie

was plain ann now annielaurie Report 31 Aug 2012 23:04

Can you send the document, or if his record is on Ancestry, tell me his name? Perhaps Bn isn't right.

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 23:10

Henry Edward Brazier

Andrew has found something about medals which is mentioned on his discharge record but too fragile to turn the page to see. :-(

Thanks

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 31 Aug 2012 23:22

British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920

Name: Henry Edward Brazier
Regiment or Corps: Lond R 3rd
Regimental Number: 251738

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 23:23

Hi,

Thanks, that is him, what does that tell me about his medals and where can I look at that?

Thanks :-)

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 31 Aug 2012 23:25

70% of WW1 records were destroyed during an enemy bombing raid in WW2

Your relative's would seem to have been among them

I can't find anything relevant on Ancestry

That wretched programme gives a very false impression of what can and can't be accessed. And of the time involved in researching

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 23:27

Would it be possible for someone to look at the medal record listed above for Henry Edward Brazier and PM a copy of it, I hope I am not being rude here.

Thanks :-)

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 31 Aug 2012 23:29

No indication on the medal card that any medals were actually awarded.

He enlisted 3.6.15..was discharged 18.1.18 - before the end of the conflict.

The image can be viewed on Ancestry

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 23:32

I don't have ancestry unfortunately :-(

BradM

BradM Report 31 Aug 2012 23:42

On his record I have managed to make out a load of numbers next to the words Home and France. Not sure what they mean.

GlitterBaby

GlitterBaby Report 1 Sep 2012 00:08

Will send the medal card as an attachment in a pm

Chris Ho :)

Chris Ho :) Report 1 Sep 2012 07:46

UK, Silver War Badge Records, 1914-1920
Name: Henry Brazier
Discharge Unit: 3rd Ldn. Rgt.
Regiment Number: 251738
Rank: L/Cpl.
Badge Number: 305174
Unit: Territorial Force (London)
Piece: 3165
List Number: TP 2001-2400
Record Group: WO
Record Class: 329

(enlistment 3/6/15 date of discharge 18/1/18 cause Wounded. Served Overseas Yes)

Chris :)

Historical Background.
The British Empire lost more than 700,000 service personnel killed in World War 1. An even greater number were discharged because of wounds or illness. In September 1916, King George V authorized the Silver War Badge (SWB) to honor all military personnel who had served at home or overseas since 4 August 1914 and who had been discharged because of wounds or illness. The SWB was a small, circular badge made of sterling silver, bearing the king’s initials, a crown, and the inscriptions ‘For King and Empire’ and ‘Services Rendered’.
The SWB was not simply an honor; it also served a practical purpose. At the time, men of military age who were not obviously in the service were sometimes accosted or insulted by civilians presenting them with white feathers — a symbol of cowardice — for shirking their patriotic duty. The badge served as an outward symbol that the wearer’s duty to country had been honorably fulfilled.

Chris Ho :)

Chris Ho :) Report 1 Sep 2012 07:55

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1289426?d=asc

(above Related, but different SW Badge)

UK, Silver War Badge Records, 1914-1920
Name: Harry Edward Brazier (enlistment 29.11.15 discharge 27.3.17. cause Sick. Served Overseas Yes)
Discharge Unit: 23rd. Ldn. Rgt.
Regiment Number: 6169
Rank: Pte.
Badge Number: 155883
Unit: Territorial Force (London)
Piece: 3162
List Number: TP 0801-1200
Record Group: WO
Record Class: 329


(looking at Medal Card Index on below, 251738 was Lance Corporal 6169 was Private)

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=10&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1

Chris :)

BradM

BradM Report 1 Sep 2012 08:29

Hi,

Thanks Chris, is there a way of finding out what injury he had? On his army discharge most of the writing is faded but I can see it says he has a scar on right leg or something along those lines.

Thanks :-)

Chris Ho :)

Chris Ho :) Report 1 Sep 2012 08:38

For the 251738 it says Wounded...so not sure you'll find out exactly...

Chris :)

BradM

BradM Report 1 Sep 2012 08:53

Hi

Thanks, if on his record it said unfit for duty and has a scar on right leg, then with your info about him being wounded I can only presume he was shot in the leg?

:-)