Genealogy Chat

Hi, I've just joined. My wife's grandfather had medals which we think were from WW1, but there are several medal record cards with his name, Frederick Still. The only other thing we know is his date of birth, which isn't shown on the cards. Does anyone know if it is possible to identify which, if any, of the record cards is his? Thanks, Duncan

Could you narrow them down by his middle initial - if he did or didn't have one. Regards Gail.

Thanks, but he didn't have one. There are 5 men called Frederick Still, I can exclude one because he died, but I am left with the other 4. Thanks anyway. Duncan

Hi If they are WW1 medals thay should have his name rank and serial number on them , that should confirm his details

If you are thinking of downloading a medal card from the National Archives then you get 6 per download. As long as there are a maximum of 6 'hits' then you should get the one you want on the one download. Glen

Thanks Fred and Glen. But...the medals are long gone, they disappeared when Frederick died about 50 years ago, we have no way of telling his rank or regiment unless there is an army record showing his date of birth to match. I have downloaded the medal card, you're right Glen there are several on the download, but I don't know which one is his.

Did he get married or have any children while serving? Sometimes they would put their army no down on the certificates or maybe just his regiment which should help you narrow it down. Mhairi

His Army records - if they survived the blitz, would be held at the National Archives in Kew. It wouldn't be a massive job for somebody to look them up on the microfilm record. Choosing between six would not be difficult. My grandfather had various items of correspondence so I got addresses, next of kin... all sorts.

Thanks for your ideas. He did get married in 1917, but his occupation then was shipwright. We think he was injured in the war, so was 'laid off' and took a civilian job. The office at Kew may well be the answer, I just don't know the first thing about it yet. Thanks for your help, no doubt I will be back with more questions soon!!! Duncan

hi duncan this is the address if you need it Enquiries about information from Army personnel records should be made to the appropriate address below: Officers or Soldiers whose regular or reserve service ended before 1921* The National Archives Ruskin Avenue Kew Richmond Surrey TW9 4DU Telephone 0208876 3444 www.nationalarchives.gov.uk Officers or Soldiers whose regular or reserve service ended between 1921 and 1997 Army Personnel Centre HQ Secretariat Historical Disclosures Mail Point 400 Kentigern House 65 Brown Street Glasgow G2 8EX Tel: 0845 600 9663, option 1, then option 3 Officers and Soldiers of the Foot Guards Regiments Regimental Headquarters The ******* Guards Wellington Barracks Birdcage Walk London SW1E 6HQ ***(Insert as appropriate: Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish or Welsh)

Thanks for that Lorraine, I shall be on the phone in the morning! Duncan