Genealogy Chat

I was wondering how I might find out if any of my family fought in a war. My Grandad (1903-1991)had a dodgy foot and the M.O.D gave him a mini cooper to drive around in. I can remember being told something about him falling through a roof but nothing more. Also my GG Grandfather was in the military somewhere. Possibly Royal Marines. I know he went to Canada in the 1850's and returned in the late 1860's where he was based at a Royal military college in Berkshire and died in 1889 aged 46 as a Pensioner 13th Regiment 4th Foot in St.Bartholomews Bishopsgate London. On the 1901 census his son was 28 and occupation listed as Gunner, Royal Marines Artillery. Is this going to have to be a trip to the PRO in Kew? Naomi

Hi Naomi, Try this site for all wars and regiments from 1700's to 2000's. www(.)regiments(,)org/milhist/index(.)htm Don't forget to remove brackets!! Margaret

Naomi, Yes, this'll need a PRO/National Archives visit to Kew. The pre-WW1 soldiers Attestation papers are obtained from the archives in boxes to the Document Reading Room (under the Soldiers Discharged to Pension series, arranged alphabetically), meanwhile WW1 soldiers are on microfilm in the Microfilm Reading Room, again alphabetically - index on top of the filing cabinets. (NB: WW2 papers are not on public access and have to be applied for by a direct descendant for a fee of £25. The PRO site gives details of where to write as well.) Soldiers' records have been a great source of additional incidental information for me - they sometimes give an idea of where the soldier served, his appearance and, in one case, details of additional children I knew nothing about. Have a look at the PRO Catalogue online, PROCAT, it will help you to plan what you need to see (once you get used to it!). You can also pre-register for your Reader's Card online, it saves time when you arrive there - do read the requirements, I think it's only a household bill or something like that that you need to take to prove ID. Good luck, Jane

Thanks Jane. I've had a stroke of luck with the "Pensioner" as I made contact with someone else on GC who has searched that branch of the family. As you mentioned I have even found out how tall, colour eyes and complexion he had! I will arrange a visit for my Grandfathers records I'm pretty sure it would have been in WW1. Having said that though I think he may have been a bit young as he was born in 1903. I have a copy of his birth certificate that he obtained himself in 1939 so nolw I wonder if it was WWII. Thanks for your help Naomi