RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: sushi on Thursday 10 July 08 17:24 BST (UK)

Title: shot on the somme
Post by: sushi on Thursday 10 July 08 17:24 BST (UK)
Hello there,

We are trying to find out anything we can about grandad who fought the first world war.

Wilfred Cunningham b. circa 1893 in Leicestershire, was shot in the wrist on the Somme, we think he was invalided out.
We have no idea which regiment he was in - will anyone be able to help please?
Title: Re: shot on the somme
Post by: mmm45 on Thursday 10 July 08 17:29 BST (UK)
Station St Loughborough has a Wilfred Cunningham listed as next of kin living there on WW1 Pensions online if that rings any bells...cant see any other W Cunninghams from Leicestershire in the Pensions.

Ady
Title: Re: shot on the somme
Post by: sushi on Thursday 10 July 08 18:54 BST (UK)

Hello Ady, thanks for such a speedy answer!
That sounds as though it may be him, as my husband now tells me he was born in Loughborough. I wonder what his regiment was -  Leicester something or others I expect.

The other grandad was gassed on the Somme in WW1 as well. His name was Albert Clayton born 1989, he died from the same sometime in the 1930's. We don't know anything else about his time as a soldier either - it would be so nice to find out.

Thanks again to you and to anyone else who can give us further info.
Title: Re: shot on the somme
Post by: mmm45 on Thursday 10 July 08 23:03 BST (UK)
11034 was his number however dubious its your man..this guy was 6th Batt Leicesters but never went overseas he was discharged with myopia....Theres nothing to say he didnt rejoin at some other stage and get shot in the wrist...a lot of guys did rejoin wanting to do their bit..This guys dad was william,his address either 12 or 121 station rd Loughborough its quite a hard doc to read.Date of birth is a bit earlier so like i said may not be him.

Ady
Title: Re: shot on the somme
Post by: sushi on Friday 11 July 08 10:15 BST (UK)
Crikey - sounds like I'll have to do a bit more research on his dad then!
Thanks so much for the info. Perhaps I'll be back later with an undate!
Title: Re: shot on the somme
Post by: sushi on Friday 11 July 08 11:17 BST (UK)
Okay I'm back again now.
Some kind person looked up the 1901 census for me + jogging some long lost memory from my husband about the myopia - it seems this is the right man.
Do you know where I would be able to find out his military record ( if any) and possibly download it?
Title: Re: shot on the somme
Post by: mmm45 on Friday 11 July 08 12:28 BST (UK)
Hi
Its on ancestry...If you havent got access PM me an email address ill send it to you.

Ady