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Lives Of The First World War - Remember Your Relative

I've been working on the 'Lives' site now for a few months and was last week contacted by a Sunday Telegraph journalist to discuss my experience of using the site and for my opinion of it. I think it's a fantastic memorial to all men and women and eagerly sing its praises whenever the opportunity comes up. The journalist has included my gt uncle Joseph Ridgway (RFC) in the article. So today is a very, very proud day for me. Here's the article (or see pg 13 of the 'Life' Supplement in the Sunday Telegraph). And of course I highly recommend anyone to use the IWM 'Lives of WW1' site to ensure the permanent memory of these people. Viv.

ImageUploadedByTapatalkHD1414334949.628086.jpg


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Below is a link to the records for our Erdington postmen which I've now built up on the IWM 'Lives of WW1' site (unfortunately Pte Sharp's records aren't available). They're not all fully complete yet but I'll be working on these as time permits. Other people can also add info if they wish, just register then search for the soldier's name (any problems let me know). And do let me know if you spot any errors. The "Lives" link at the bottom takes a while to load, but will eventually! Thanks.

I've included the story of the plaque's journey from demolition site to National Memorial Arboretum via B H F. And I've included links to the BHF threads dealing with the background and research on here https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=43387 Postal workers plaque saved

https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/71



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viv thats is just wonderful and i can see why you are so proud....well done you...

lyn x
 
Dear Astoness

I have been following this thread. I have created a facebook site to honour our fallen from WW1. This site is a day by day account of what happened 100 years to the day.

With the use of John K Colin's database and my own hopefully I will cover all our fallen the site has already honoured over 60 soldiers I have left a link if viewers who may wish to have a look and like it for updates.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asto...To-The-First-World-War/488230721320727?ref=hl

Regards

Mick
 
Hi all,
I've just registered with your site and I'm catching up on threads. Just to add to Mick's post above, as he is honouring the soldiers on their 100th anniversary I am adding them to a community on IWM's 'lives' :- https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/1489 and I'm enhancing their life stories as much as I can.
If anyone has any information on the men please add it to their life story pages or just click to remember them.
Thanks, Sharon
 
Great Uncle Joseph.jpgWhat a fantastic photo, my husband's Gt Uncle Joseph Watton who was in the Australian army in the 1st World War!
 
Hello all

I am a frequent traveller to the battlefields of the Somme and on many occasions have taken photographs of grave and cemeteries for people on request. I am back on the Somme late September and if I can assist any of you out there by taking a photograph to help remember your relative I will see what I can do for you. I have a busy schedule so there are no guarantees but there is no charge and I will try to fit it in. Send me a private message.

Steve R
 
The contents of posts #6 to #15 became mixed-up showing format codes when the forum changed software. The list has been made readable in a pdf file see the link below. The pdf will display in most browsers and can be searched. Post#16 stated that some information in post#13 did not show, mainly addresses. Post#5 has information about the original source of the information.
Contents of posts 6 to 15 pdf
 
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My Grandfather, William Joseph Parsons. enlisted in The Coldstream Guards on 22nd January 1900 when he was 21 years and 8 months old. He saw service in South Africa in 1902 and then at home(UK) until joining the Expeditiary Forces Overseas in 1914.

In 1917 he was declared unfit for further service due to "Shell Shock. He returned home and had two more children, my Mother in 1918 & my Uncle in 1921.

In 1923 he was committed to Lodge Road Mental Hospital still suffering from his war experiences. From there he was transferred to a Hospital in Huddersfield and finally to The Old Manor, Psychiatric Hospital, Salisbury, where he died on 11th May 1947.

My Mother never spoke of him and I didn't know anything about him until I start to research my family history in the 1990's. My cousin & me visited Salisbury cemetery a few years ago but we only saw the area where he was buried as his grave is unmarked.
 
That's terribly sad Gunmaker. And a horrible consequence of the war. The saddest thing is he probably barely got to know his family. Thanks for posting. Vv.
 
Vivienne14 said:
That's terribly sad Gunmaker. And a horrible consequence of the war. The saddest thing is he probably barely got to know his family. Thanks for posting. Vv.
Click to expand...

You are quite right Vivienne, I suspect none of his Grandchildren new he even existed. The child born in 1921, my Uncle Harry, did give me some photographs of him all taken at the Old Manor Hospital by family that had visited him. I have attached a picture taken when he was in the Guards. It is thought to be a mock up of Court Martial for training purposes. If it was taken before August 1900 it may have come in handy for him because on the 14th August 1900 he was sentenced to 56 days in jankers for disobeying lawful orders and refusing an escort. My grandfather is the second from the left wearing a pillbox hat.
 

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Vivienne14 said:
That's terribly sad Gunmaker. And a horrible consequence of the war. The saddest thing is he probably barely got to know his family. Thanks for posting. Vv.
Click to expand...
Zuluwarrier said:
Dear Astoness

I have been following this thread. I have created a facebook site to honour our fallen from WW1. This site is a day by day account of what happened 100 years to the day.

With the use of John K Colin's database and my own hopefully I will cover all our fallen the site has already honoured over 60 soldiers I have left a link if viewers who may wish to have a look and like it for updates.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Asto...To-The-First-World-War/488230721320727?ref=hl

Regards
Hi All,
I have only just discovered this thread due mainly to the fact that I have been seriously ill myself and have only paid fleeting visits to the Forum. It is sheer coincidence that I discoverd this thread today as it was on 28th August 1917, 100 years ago today that my uncle , Arthur John Beresford , was killed at the Battle of Passchendale.'. He ws a private in the Machine Gun Corps, aged 22. He is buried in Buffs Road Cemetery, Wielje near Ypres. I have visited his grave 3 times as have several other members of the family. I would have loved to visit today to pay my respects but my age , 90. and health, lousy, will not allow it. However I have a cousin who has gone to the National Memorial Arboretum to lay a wreath on the Machine Gun Corps memorial.

Old Boy (Chris Beresford)

Mick
Click to expand...
 
Hi All,
I have only just discovered this thread due mainly to the fact that I have been seriously ill myself and have only paid fleeting visits to the Forum. It is sheer coincidence that I discoverd this thread today as it was on 28th August 1917, 100 years ago today that my uncle , Arthur John Beresford , was killed at the Battle of Passchendale.'. He ws a private in the Machine Gun Corps, aged 22. He is buried in Buffs Road Cemetery, Wielje near Ypres. I have visited his grave 3 times as have several other members of the family. I would have loved to visit today to pay my respects but my age , 90. and health, lousy, will not allow it. However I have a cousin who has gone to the National Memorial Arboretum to lay a wreath on the Machine Gun Corps memorial.

Old Boy (Chris Beresford)


so pleased your cousin could get to the NMA today chris to lay a wreath

lyn
 
Astoness said:
Hi All,
I have only just discovered this thread due mainly to the fact that I have been seriously ill myself and have only paid fleeting visits to the Forum. It is sheer coincidence that I discoverd this thread today as it was on 28th August 1917, 100 years ago today that my uncle , Arthur John Beresford , was killed at the Battle of Passchendale.'. He ws a private in the Machine Gun Corps, aged 22. He is buried in Buffs Road Cemetery, Wielje near Ypres. I have visited his grave 3 times as have several other members of the family. I would have loved to visit today to pay my respects but my age , 90. and health, lousy, will not allow it. However I have a cousin who has gone to the National Memorial Arboretum to lay a wreath on the Machine Gun Corps memorial.

Old Boy (Chris Beresford)


so pleased your cousin could get to the NMA today chris to lay a wreath

lyn
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Thank you Lyn. Doreen and her husband went to the memorial, as arranged, on Monday 28th. Before the brief service in the chapel they spoke to a member of the staff and were delighted when the details of Uncle Arthur were read out and he was included in the prayers. It was also announced that he had relatives at the service. I wish I could have gone but he was always in my thoughts that day. It is strange that you can get emotional over someone you have never met, but, as I grew up he was the photograph of a soldier hanging on the living room wall.

Chris Beresford
 
Two pictures from the Great War, they say Midlands workers but could easily be Birmingham.

You never know someone may recognise the people involved.

2266005C-CD64-4240-B5BF-12BE557B6DE7.jpeg FC079759-6E6B-49A8-978B-14C6EA5233F6.jpeg
 
Tis article about "TEN VERY BRAVE MEN FROM THE MIDLANDS" was in the Evening Mail recently.
ten.jpeg ten e - Copy.jpeg
 
My grandfather served in the Royal Garrison Artillery and in a diary written during his time in East Africa he lists two men from Birmingham. Presumably they also served in Africa. Both men seem to have survived the war (i.e. I didn't find them on the CWGC site).

HG Hart 69859
15 Springhill Passage
Springhill
Birmingham

W Bradshaw 65204
152 May Lane
Alcester Lanes End
Birmingham
 
I came upon this thread only a few days ago and found it really interesting. The lists of those poor men from Aston who gave their lives were quite moving. However looking through the list I came across a name that could have been a relative of mine, one Arthur Cunningham of 6 Laureston Court, Witton Road. Checking the family tree I found there was no death date for my Arthur Cunningham and then started a search on Ancestry for any military records that may have been there. Surprisingly I found an Enlistment document for an Arthur Cunningham of the above address. Thinking I had found my relative I looked through the whole file available and found that he had enlisted in 1913 but had been discharged in 1915 on medical grounds as he was found to be epileptic.
Now the question is would he have re-enlisted at a later date with the same regiment and then died in action or is there some other explanation? Further searching, although not exhaustive, has revealed nothing further as yet.
 
jmadone said:
I came across a name that could have been a relative of mine, one Arthur Cunningham of 6 Laureston Court, Witton Road. I found an Enlistment document for an Arthur Cunningham of the above address. I looked through the whole file available and found that he had enlisted in 1913 but had been discharged in 1915 on medical grounds as he was found to be epileptic.
Now the question is would he have re-enlisted at a later date with the same regiment and then died in action or is there some other explanation? Further searching, although not exhaustive, has revealed nothing further as yet.
Click to expand...
Jim did you check the Commonwealth War Graves Commission record for Arthur Cunningham? That gives him an age of 27 and service with 6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment
 
Spargone said:
Jim did you check the Commonwealth War Graves Commission record for Arthur Cunningham? That gives him an age of 27 and service with 6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Click to expand...
No I haven't. Thanks for that Jim.
Yes I've found that now. The record I found on Ancestry is definitely the same person, name, address etc. the only difference being is his regimental number which on this record is given as 1986 and on the War Graves Commission is 5312.
A bit more research needed I think.
 
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jmadone said:
No I haven't. Thanks for that Jim.
Yes I've found that now. The record I found on Ancestry is definitely the same person, name, address etc. the only difference being is his regimental number which on this record is given as 1986 and on the War Graves Commission is 5312.
A bit more research needed I think.
Click to expand...
Further to my last post I have confirmed that they are indeed the same person and is a relative of mine. I'm trying to find out now if he was recalled for service by the authorities and given a different regimental number or whether he re-enlisted on his own accord at a later date. Unfortunately his service record with this new regimental number isn't available (presumably destroyed in the blitz) so I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to look now. Suggestions anyone?
 
It might be useful to research the conscription requirements at the time, (they changed throughout he war), and construct a timeline of what else was happening to family or society at the time. Sometimes, with a casualty, the local newspaper might help. One of my relatives with a lost service record appeared in an online library catalogue of casualties listed in a newspaper that they hold, indicating that there was an accompanying photograph too. Unfortunately the library is 300 miles away. However I found that Google Newspapers had digitised a rival newspaper and when I searched that I found that they had published the C/O's account of the circumstances leading to his death. At least with a casualty chances are that CWGC will record the death. I have another relative that survived the war and the only evidence of him having served is a picture of him in uniform.
 
I had a reply from another forum which suggests that he may have re-enlisted and that there was no obstruction to his doing so. The answer also pointed me towards the War diaries for the date and place of his death which I have now read and discovered that he, although not named (only officers were named) was 1 of 3 Other Ranks killed in the trenches by a German counter offensive on that day.
I don't think I can ever prove he re-enlisted unless his service record turns up.
Thanks for your suggestions re the CWGC and I'll also have a look at Google Newspapers.
 
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