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Duffill brothers, WW1, help needed

Y

Yvonne

proper brummie kid
I have a slight mystery that someone with more military interest/know how might have some ideas about. My two great uncles were William George Lacy Duffill and Arthur Laurence Duffill both of Birmingham. I believe they both fought in WW1. I have found a medal card for William George and discharge/award sheet documents which show he served in France in June 1917 and was eventually demobilised as a result of gas poisoning. Would anyone know where in France the Notts and Derbys were fighting at that time? There's a fractioned figure on the discharge documents ie 15 12/16. I have no idea what this means.

Secondly it had always been assumed that Arthur Laurence Duffill was missing presumed dead as he never returned from the war. However, he apparently did, but didn't contact anyone, and the rest of his family only found out he had survived the war when he eventually died and his ?widow/common law wife published a notice in the B'ham Evening Mail. I have found evidence of a medal card for Arthur L Duffill (East Yorks Regiment) but no discharge/pension documents. Is it possible Arthur was a deserter although why would he have a medal card (assuming that card is his?) or was he just so affected by the war he just simply disappeared from view? How can I find out what happened to him. Thanks
 
Hi there
Does it say his regiment number on the medal card as this might help in tracing his army history i had a look on Ancestry can't find his record but might need further investigation William's details are on there all 16 images and there is a Walter Henry Duffill born about 1874.Don't know if he belongs to your Duffills the National Archives is another site to look at for Military records.
I am sure someone with more knowledge will be able to direct you to other websites that might help


Lindy
 
Thanks Lindy. I have regiment numbers for both of them and had found the 16 pages you refer to below for William. The fractioned number I realise is simply a date!!! I have been pointed towards www.regiment.org so can look for regiment movements there. I am interested in any ideas anyone has particularly because Arthur Laurence disappeared after the war. Thanks
 
I have looked in my book of The National Roll Of The Great War which only lists Birmingham men 'not Aston' and is incomplete. The only Duffill I found was...... Private E Duffill R.M.L.I. He volunteered in August 1914 and was posted to HMS "Patia" on which vessel he served on the high seas. His ship was engaged on escort duties in the north sea and Atlantic ocean and he was on board when she was torpedoed in the Irish sea, but was picked up after being in the water some time. Aftrewards he served at Portsmouth until his demobilisation in August 1919 and holds the 1914-15 Star and the general service and victory medals. Address 2/35 Clark Street, Ladywood, Birmingham.

I don't know if he is connected to your family but I thought it worth posting. Wendy.
 
There is a marriage of a Arthur L Duffill to Elsie Wilson in 1918
this is registered Bridlington,Yorks ref 9a 641.
 
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