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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: tristiw on Sunday 25 April 10 11:20 BST (UK)

Title: Boer War look-up William Fowkes
Post by: tristiw on Sunday 25 April 10 11:20 BST (UK)
My father's grandfather was William Fowkes b 1877 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
I am looking for a service record of this man, but don't know where to start.  I'd like to be able to purchase replica medals if any were awarded and clear up some family stories.

My father remembers that his grandfather had a piece of shrapnel in his back, that he was able to feel through the skin when he was a small boy.  On talking to some family members, there seems to be some consistent stories:
In 1901 he was living with his wife and two children at 9 Manor Rd, Kingsthorpe, Northampton and was a bootmaker.  His children were born in the following years:
1898, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1905 etc. (many others to follow)
If he served in the Boer war, it seems logical that he would have been in the Northamptonshire Regiment - but I'm not even sure he would have time to serve in between all of that baby making.

Thank you for your help, and if you need any more information, let me know
Title: Re: Boer War look-up William Fowkes
Post by: neil1821 on Sunday 25 April 10 12:15 BST (UK)
Quote
If he served in the Boer war, it seems logical that he would have been in the Northamptonshire Regiment.....

If only it were that simple!  ;) He may have been but don't count on it.
So in 1901 he was a civilian, so if he did serve in the Boer War it would seem to be before that.

If he had shrapnel in his back, perhaps pursuing the casualty angle would be best.
No casualties called Fowkes in the Natal Field Force lists.

No Fowkes in the regular cavalry.
3 Fowkes in the Imperial Yeomanry but none of them William.
No Fowkes in the Royal Engineers.

Starts to narrow things down
Title: Re: Boer War look-up William Fowkes
Post by: kerry1212 on Sunday 25 April 10 12:21 BST (UK)
hi there is no william fowkes in any military that i see i have found your william in 81,91, and 1901 census

kerry
Title: Re: Boer War look-up William Fowkes
Post by: neil1821 on Sunday 25 April 10 13:05 BST (UK)
Quote
hi there is no william fowkes in any military that i see......

Where have you looked so I don't waste effort?  :)
Title: Re: Boer War look-up William Fowkes
Post by: kerry1212 on Sunday 25 April 10 13:07 BST (UK)
i have looked on ancestry, but have found william on 81 91 and 1901 census

kerry
Title: Re: Boer War look-up William Fowkes
Post by: neil1821 on Sunday 25 April 10 13:11 BST (UK)
I'm not on Ancestry myself, so don't know what they have.
I mean what records specifically: pension records, Boer War medal rolls, casualty lists, other?