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Boar War & WW1 records look up

Sparkhill Lad

master brummie
Not sure if you can only look for Midland units.
I am looking for 2nd Queens regiment, Surrey.
Pte George William COLLINS, popular name to search I know sorry,
Army No's Pte L9211, Cpl 13208, Cpl 607730 all with 2nd Queens.

This my wife's Grandfather and we have been looking for years !!!
bn Esher (sometimes shown as Godalming) Surrey April 1887, Married Feb 1923, died Jan 1958 Guildford Surrey
Found him on 1911 census and he was out in Gibralter Queens 2nd batt Infantry,
He attained the usual 3 service medals,

We have located the medal card (Ancestry link https://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec...n=George+W&ln=Collins&st=r&ssrc=&pid=10914696) which gives other details, some we are unsure of and would love to have clarification on that.

We may have to accept that Grandads records are part of the burnt lot and may never see them at all.

If anyone can add anything to this search for us we would appreciate it very much.

Regards
Derek
 
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Derek, the index card is very informative and suggests that his service record will still be held by the Ministry of Defence. You can get a copy of it on application from https://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html

He was serving as Pte L/9211 when he went to Flanders on 4 October 1914 with the 2nd Queens. This was under command of 22nd Infantry Brigade of 7th Division. Within a month the battalion had been almost wiped at in the First Battle of Ypres. He was very lucky to survive it. The battalion was rebuilt and went on to see much action during the war. See https://www.1914-1918.net/7div.htm. The battalion has a Midland connection in that it served alongside the 1st South Staffords throughout the war.

The crucial info on the card is that he was renumbered to 6077630. This took place in August 1920. He also earned the India General Service Medal with the "Waziristan 1919-21" clasp.

I hope that helps. Now get your cheque book out for that service record!
 
Hi Chris

This just fantastic news, we did think that with the surname of Collins it would be hard to trace also the fact they may have been "burnt" in WW2

I am abouit to order a copy of his records and will let you know what we find out.

Cannot thank you enough.

Derek & wife Chris
 
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