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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: sooshi on Sunday 22 February 09 14:33 GMT (UK)

Title: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: sooshi on Sunday 22 February 09 14:33 GMT (UK)
I would like to trace my uncles army record - as far as I know he served in WW1 and survived.
His name was George Harold Wootton b. 1898 Staffordshire - father Harold Wootton. I think his younger brother may have served also their names were James Henry Wootton b. 1899 and Joseph Mason Wootton b. 1900.
Is there a chance some kind person would be able to trace him/them for me?
Hopefully
Sooshi
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: km1971 on Sunday 22 February 09 18:34 GMT (UK)
Ancestry have so far only published records for men with surnames up to N, so you will have to wait to see if they survive. About 75% of records were destroyed in WW2 bombing.

Ken
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: jackandtom on Sunday 22 February 09 19:03 GMT (UK)
The national Archives website in the medal index cards section have a record for George Harold Wooton in the Suffolk Regiment It will cost you £2.00 to download his record. No James Henry Wooton, only a James Herbert  and Henry J Wooton. No Joseph Mason Wooton, but 2 for Joseph Wooton.
If you have an Ancestry subscription they have now  got the records up to W , as your man (men) are there as well.

Regards jackandtom
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: mmm45 on Sunday 22 February 09 22:32 GMT (UK)
Dont forget they could have served in the Royal Marines,Royal Navy,RAF,Merchant Navy or maybe not served overseas so no medal index card for them.
Naval and RM records are searchable on Docs online at the NA website.

Ady :)
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: mmm45 on Sunday 22 February 09 22:38 GMT (UK)
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6504613&queryType=1&resultcount=49

Good possibility for JH....South Staffs Regiment.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=6213784&queryType=1&resultcount=713

Poss George?

Theres a James Wootton in the North Staffs also


Ady
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: sooshi on Monday 23 February 09 12:39 GMT (UK)
Thank you all so much for your suggestions - I am off now to try them out!
regards
sooshi
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: mmm45 on Monday 23 February 09 12:42 GMT (UK)
sooshi
if any of your family has access to any medals then their numbers are impressed on the rims along with regiments.
If you have photos try posting on here we may be able to id a cap badge/shoulder title.

Ady :)
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: sooshi on Monday 23 February 09 12:46 GMT (UK)
hello mmm
Unfortunately I have no other information - everyone is dead now so I dont know about any medals. I'm afraid it will have to be the long way around!
Thanks for your time
Sooshi
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: DavidGreenall110 on Thursday 19 March 09 00:27 GMT (UK)
Medal card of Wootton, George Harold
Corps   Regiment No   Rank
North Staffordshire Regiment    604463    Private

Cat Ref: WO372/22
Image Ref: 74988 / 12223

Give this one a try.

David
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: sooshi on Thursday 19 March 09 13:25 GMT (UK)
Hello David,
well this certainly looks as though it is him.
Is there somewhere I can download the actual record from? Do you think it will contain any other information like his next of kin etc ?
Thanks for taking an interest!
Sooshi
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: DavidGreenall110 on Thursday 19 March 09 14:09 GMT (UK)
Sooshi,

I've had a quick look at his medal record card but this doesn't give any indication of any awards although it does give his service number as 64463 not 604463! It also gives his unit as the 3rd North Staffordshire Regiment.

Your best bet would be to approach the National Archives using his service number to see what documents are available. If they have his sign up papers this should give next of kin, personal details, physical details, address etc.....

Found this on "The Long, Long Trail" website if it's of any use?

"3rd (Reserve) Battalion
August 1914 : in Whittington, Lichfield. A depot/training unit, it remained in UK throughout the war. Moved on mobilisation to Plymouth and in May 1915 to Seaham. Moved again in September 1915 to Forest Hall (Newcastle) for duty with the Tyne Garrison and moved in October 1916 to nearby Wallsend."

Also, I've found a reference to a James Wootton and plenty to Joseph but none of them refer to any Staffordshire Regiments so he could be any of them.

15432 James Wootton North Staffs Regiment

Sorry I can't be of much more help.

David
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: sooshi on Thursday 19 March 09 16:54 GMT (UK)
Hi again David,

Thats a great help - I shall do as you suggest and try the National Archives - if only i'de asked about it when he was alive!!!
thanks once again - you have been more than kind!
regards
Sooshi
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: DavidGreenall110 on Thursday 19 March 09 17:03 GMT (UK)
Glad I could help.

David

 :)
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: kelw45 on Monday 20 June 11 20:48 BST (UK)
My grandfather had a medal with WYORK on it, can you tell me what this means.
Thanks.
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: ainslie on Monday 20 June 11 21:21 BST (UK)
At a guess, he belonged to the West Yorkshire Regiment.  You may be able to find his Medal Index Card on Ancestry, free,  if you have access, or via the National Archives Documents Online site where it will cost you £2.  The medal should show name, rank at the time of qualification, regiment and number.  Using these in the search box should bring you an image of the card, which may tell you more.
He probably had more than one medal, and the card will tell you which.
A
Title: Re: uncle in WW1 ?
Post by: kelw45 on Monday 20 June 11 21:51 BST (UK)
Thanks so much. P