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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Lizzy on Sunday 25 October 09 20:05 GMT (UK)

Title: Help with visit to London
Post by: Lizzy on Sunday 25 October 09 20:05 GMT (UK)
I am off to London next week and while I am there I wondered if it would be helpful to me to try and find out anything about my grandad.  He was in the Royal Artillery but there are 5 John Unsworths and the information on the cards are no help of which one is him. Is there anything I can find extra in London or would I just be wasting my time.  I was told his theatre of war was in the arab countries.  Any help you can give me of what to do in London to find out anything would be a god send.  Lizzy
Title: Re: Help with visit to London
Post by: Cember on Monday 26 October 09 10:03 GMT (UK)
It may take a while but if you check for the service records (if they survive) of all 5 something ie next of kin, last address may ring a bell.
I spent a very frustrating day looking for my great Uncle's record,but it was great when 5 minutes before I'd decided enough was enough I finally found it.

By the way this was at Kew.
Title: Re: Help with visit to London
Post by: toni* on Monday 26 October 09 10:24 GMT (UK)
I would visit the Imperial War Museum and ask them if they have anything on his regiment , it may be worth emailing them beforehand so they are aware of your visit or just go on the off chance.
Title: Re: Help with visit to London
Post by: atom12 on Tuesday 27 October 09 16:48 GMT (UK)
Hi

Have you had a look on Ancestry site?  There are a number of soldiers named John Unsworth on there some with Pension Records.  Did your soldier survive, or was he killed?

If you give a bit more detail of where he's from/born, birth year if known and where he lived, then someone might be able to help you.

In any case, I'd make the National Archives at Kew the first place to visit in London.
Title: Re: Help with visit to London
Post by: rosie99 on Tuesday 27 October 09 17:00 GMT (UK)
If you are going to Kew I would suggest you look at their web page for opening times,  you will also need a readers ticket (details on there)
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/times.htm

Rosie
Title: Re: Help with visit to London
Post by: ainslie on Tuesday 27 October 09 18:30 GMT (UK)
Not quite what you are after, but if you are near Hyde Park Corner, look for the impressive RA War Memorial.