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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: wozzle on Tuesday 12 June 07 10:58 BST (UK)

Title: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: wozzle on Tuesday 12 June 07 10:58 BST (UK)
is there any way of tracing my grandfather James Henry.J. Cattell  he died during 1916-17 in France that is the only information that i have. There must be records of the soldiers who fought in the war. I know it would probably involve looking through many many names but i really would like to find out if at all humanly possible
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: Barbara F on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:14 BST (UK)
Hello Wozzle
This is a good place to start looking

http://www.cwgc.org/

There is a James Cattell recorded, husband of Julia - does that look a possible?

Barbara
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: slaw on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:19 BST (UK)
Have you search the commonwealth graves site? www.cwgc.org
There is one James Cattell no James Henry

Sheila
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: down-under on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:23 BST (UK)
James Henry J Cattell married Julia A Manley June quarter 1915 1c 555 Whitechapel London/Middlesex

CWGC

James Cattell died 14/8/1917 age 28 husband of Julia Cattell 14 Lampeter Street islington London
Rifleman
Riflebrigade 11th Ban
Service no S 17578
Commonwealth War Dead
Panel 46- and 50
Ypres Menin Gate Memorial

National Archives will give you information on the army record WW 1.

Pam
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: yorkshirerose on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:26 BST (UK)
Hi

No James Henry but found a James and a Henry as follows....


Name: CATTELL, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Rifleman
Regiment/Service: Rifle Brigade
Unit Text: 11th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 14/08/1917
Service No: S/17578
Additional information: Husband of Julia Cattell, of 14, Lampeter St., Islington, London.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 46 - 48 and 50.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL



Name: CATTELL, HENRY
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Rifleman
Regiment/Service: London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
Unit Text: 2nd/9th Bn.
Date of Death: 27/09/1917
Service No: 390710
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 151.
Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL



Best wishes
Liz





Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: wozzle on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:43 BST (UK)
thanks everyone who replied especially down-under. I had to bring my wife up to have a look because the person you listed is definitely him. Once again I have to say this web- site is amazing. I"m just off to phone my sister up to let her know that we finally know where and when he died.
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: atom12 on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:48 BST (UK)
 :) Hi

Only one James Cattell on Soldiers Died, as mentioned he is with the:

11th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
Rifleman S/17578
Born, Enlisted & Resided at Islington
Killed in Action, France & Flanders: 14/08/1917

Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: yorkshirerose on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:52 BST (UK)
It's always nice to receive new new info isn't it........I went on holiday to France in April was lucky enough to visit the cemetery where my gr grandfather is buried.....so emotional as you walk through the gates and once I was stood at his grave I couldn't believe the emotions that went through me, I have never met this man but the tears began to flow, think people with me thought I was daft, so hard to explain.
They had a visitors book to sign and leave a message and a booklet which had the name of the casualties and details of family and cause of death.....I had to take a walk around on my own and as silly as it sounds talk to my gr grandfather...felt lots better after...

Best wishes
Liz
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: atom12 on Tuesday 12 June 07 11:55 BST (UK)
Hi

Here's his medal card which is downloadable for £3.50

 :)

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mz/
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: Jo New on Tuesday 12 June 07 12:09 BST (UK)
Hi Wuzzle

found this too on findagrave , you can leave vitual flowers and a note


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=cattell&GSfn=james&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=11984871&

bw Jo
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: atom12 on Tuesday 12 June 07 12:13 BST (UK)
 :) Hi

Looks like James was killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres which started 31 July, 1917 and went on for a considerable time (Nov) after.

Liz, I can commiserate in how you felt. I agree that it is a very emotive experience visiting the area where your relatives died in or due to battle.  I am going back there soon with some of my family as there is so much to see and do.  

Wozzle - sorry we will not make it to Ypres (Belgium) on this
trip, or I'd have tried to get a photo for you.  :(


Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: atom12 on Tuesday 12 June 07 12:20 BST (UK)
found this too on findagrave , you can leave vitual flowers and a note
bw Jo

What a wonderful link!  Thanks for that Jo

bw Anne  :D
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: Jo New on Tuesday 12 June 07 12:22 BST (UK)
i left flowers & a message for my gt uncle on it , found it by chance one day  ;)
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: wozzle on Tuesday 12 June 07 22:15 BST (UK)
thanks again everyone, I"ve now managed to download his medal card and also left virtual flowers and a note on find-a-grave website. Also that was a very nice thought Anne. Hopefully I will get to go to Ypres one day.
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: scrimnet on Wednesday 13 June 07 22:09 BST (UK)
Third Ypres is better known as Passchendaele....

The book "They call it Passchendaele" by Lynn MacDonald is a good start  to learn of the men and the battle.

There are several commemorations going on this summer, some of which I am involved with. One is a march over the weekend following the line of battle with both living historians and serving soldiers, followed by wreath laying at some of the memorials.
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: scrimnet on Wednesday 13 June 07 22:20 BST (UK)
Another excellent book I commend on this is "In Flanders Fields" by Leon Wolff...
Title: Re: grand-dad died 1916-1917
Post by: wozzle on Wednesday 13 June 07 22:40 BST (UK)
thanks again;
I'll pop down the library to look those books up. I've posted his medal card on another topic under armed forces (victory medal awards)if anyone wants to have a look they are welcome to do so.