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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: plasticwindow on Wednesday 01 September 10 14:07 BST (UK)
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I have just completed the forms from the MOD to apply for more information about the military service and death of my Grandfather James George Chapman in 1916. Although I have found out a lot of information about him on ancestry.co.uk I don't know how the war deaths are recorded or where to get a death certificate which I need in order to apply for the 'next of kin further information'. Is there a special registry? He died 03 Sept 1916 the field of combat is recorded as Aldershot though I was always under the impression he died in France of his wounds and I believe my Grandmother was able to visit him there, does that seem likely? He was in the Royal Fuseliers London regiment and joined at Twickenham / Hounslow which was the family home area. Several brothers also died in the same regiment. Actually he worked on the GWR so was living in Swindon and was married to a local woman and had three small boys but if the record I have found is correct he didn't mention this - maybe he wanted to be in the same regiment as his brothers. If anyone can help me where to find the death entry I would be grateful. He was born in Q2 1890 so was 26 at the time of his death. Thanks
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'Aldershot' appeared as the theatre of war for many deaths recorded in 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' as transcribed by one online organisation. After many complaints this has been corrected, I believe, to the correct 'France & Flanders'.
His place of burial was Etaples - this is from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Debt of Honour Register:
Casualty Details
Name: CHAPMAN, JAMES GEORGE
Initials: J G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers
Unit Text: 8th Bn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 03/09/1916
Service No: 12990
Additional information: Husband of Lily E. Chapman, of 42, Swindon Rd., Swindon, Wilts.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: X. B. 6A.
Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
It should be possible to get a copy of the death certificate, but I do not know where the details are to be found. Someone will be along soon, I expect, who can tell you.
You can probably get a photo of the headstone from <www.britishwargraves.co.uk>
A
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Wow that was fast, thank you. There is a George Chapman registered as dying in Brentford the right quarter - I wonder if you were registered at home? I think he may have been known by his middle name. Thanks so much, hopefully someone can help further with how to get the certificate.
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No silly me, the George is Q ended June.
R
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Find MY Past have the death indexes. GRO WAR DEATHS ARMY OTHER RANKS 1914 - 1921
You need to apply for the cert through the GRO quoting the following info.
Chapman James G Sgt L/12990 unit R F London 1916 Volume I 81 page 394
The GRO website says this " Death certificates will normally include date and place of death (in respect of war deaths this may just state the country), name and surname of the deceased and often the age at death or date of birth."
Carol
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Thank you! I notice you are researching Wensley - Somerset, I have a friend who is Wensley from Somerset would you like me to put you in touch?
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My Wensley's married into my Mockridge family in 1863,they came from Brompton Ralph. I'm not really doing that side anymore- but thanks anyway.
Carol