Genealogy Chat

I have limited computer access at the moment and will be offboard for several days next week. I know I mislaid some messages when my computer crashed and I have limited opportunities to get to Kew after this Saturday. Feel free to remind me of what I said I'd do and chase me in case I simply haven't replied, but no new requests, please.

Hello Brenda, What a nightmare you are having with that computer. Did you have any joy in finding my great grandfather Corporal James Grant, Rgt No WR 318406 and he had an earlier number 293752. He served with 277th Company of the Royal Engineers and the war diary reference is WO95/4055. The reference on his medal card, presumably for his service record is RE/104 B19 Page No 4798. I hadn't bothered you sooner in case you still had some look ups to do on Saturday but, on seeing this thread, I thought I'd check. Thanks once again with your kind help on this. Best wishes Donna

Is he the one in the Railway corps, Donna? If so, I did read the war diary right through and I have taken notes, though at one stage they decided it was too risky to mention places, so they used map references instead. It'll probably be the week after next before I have the opportunity to type it out. My geography is crap, but I assume that they were somewhere near the belgian border. Unfortunately, they did get really busy at one period, with different groups all over the place, so it might be difficult to pin your man to a place. Oh, and the diaries only mentioned the officers, not the men.

Hi Brenda, Yep that's my chap. Thank you so much for that. Which is the record that tells you more personal information about them, such as when they entered & left service etc...is that the service record? I get so confused. (I'm only just getting to grip with all the other genealogical bits & pieces) If you've go a spare millisecond on Saturday could I be really cheeky and ask if you could have a wee peek at that. Huge thanks from me...and my mum...and my uncle in Canada...and my cousin in Edinburgh...none of us would have the chance to get to Kew to look up this information and we are so very grateful to you, as 'Pa', as he was known, was very private about that time in his life. Best wishes Donna x

Have you seen that there are some Regimental war diaries on Docs Online now? Christine

Hi Christine, Yes I'd had a good trawl of the NAS website but I couldn't find the info I was after....that said I am new to that site so perhaps I didn't do it properly. Donna x

Hi Donna I don't think WO 95/4055 is online yet, though Christine is right and others certainly are. I was going to suggest I saved time by sending you a photocopy of my notes, but I've just tried to read them and as I read Headquarters as Heelquetes, I think that you would have even more problems!

Lol Brenda! Honestly, whichever is easier for you. I'm just grateful for the info. Must admit some of my wee scribbles on whatever bit of paper I can lay my hands on defy belief...my 6 year old would do far better..poss even the 2 year old! Donna x

Still no home access and I've 3 days holiday now. Will TRY to contact people with what I've found on Friday, if I'm not inundated with work when I get back.

Sorry to hear about your computer probs. I am after any info you were able to get for Leonard Allen F Reid Superintendent Metropolitan police Cheers Narian