Genealogy Chat

How would i begin to know if any of my rellies were in any of the Forces? I have searched records etc and found so many rellies, but its occurred to me, i dont know if any of them were in the Armed Forces. For give me if i dont reply tonight. Donna

Good question Would be interested in knowing this myself Anyone any ideas???????????

Well, for example, the National Archives hold records of the medals earned in the First Worlds War, and as everybody who served received a campaign medal, that means almost everybody is recorded. That's just one example.

I have family that were in the war and received medals, also one that died in WW1. None of them are recorded on there! They may be missing on some census so could possibly be away at war, I also found one by googling the name and area, it came up with one that was killed in ww1. It gave his family details so I could tie him in. Also, you could check memorial lists in and around churches for any name matches. Laura x

Thanks. I may have to ask for help as my lot are Yorkshire and i dont know where to begin! Bernice on here is my mum, so i may enlist her help lol.

Actually Paul, not everyone who served got a medal in WW1, they had to serve in a theatre of war. My grandad served in Frinton on sea (!) so no medal, though his unit were providing transport fo the active soldiers so I'm sure were important to the war effort.

Another daft question probably! Explain the meaning of 'theatre of War' Please

Hi Donna, Maybe something we will never know. We have censuses that tell us a position every ten years and for the periods between we have to rely on marriage or death certificates and the birth certificates of his children to tell us what occupations were at the various stages of a man's life.. Depending on the period that you are looking at you should also consider whether he may have been elligible for National Service or going wayyyy back whether he may have been 'pressed' into service. Other ways of checking whether a person was still 'at home' may be through various directories, some of which are online.

Hi Donna What area of Yorkshire. Jan

Tina Noun 1. theatre of war - the entire land, sea, and air area that may become or is directly involved in war operations

Thank You Jan for clarifying this for me! Tina

Judith, you're absolutely right, and shame on me.... because my great grandfather was also in the Transport section in the Middlesex regiment serving at Gorleston on Sea. As a matter of fact I've found his record impossible to trace so maybe we should swap notes. Have you had suuccess with yours?

Thanks all, my lot are/where Hemsworth Nr Wakefield, any help is appreciated if i could give sone names. Donna

Thanks everybody xx

i believe there is a forces reunited site they may be able to help