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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: sarahwalker63 on Wednesday 22 June 11 13:26 BST (UK)

Title: William Seaton/Richard John Smith
Post by: sarahwalker63 on Wednesday 22 June 11 13:26 BST (UK)
 am searching at present for WW1 records for two gentleman, one of whom, I belive may have lied about their age! William Seaton who was 2/4 City of  London RF and for Richard John Smith - served 1/5th Battalion East Kents in India 1914-1920.  William Seaton was born in 1889 in London and married in 1916 (at which point he was a batchelor).  Richard was born in 1897 in London and married in 1926 in Southampton.
Title: Re: William Seaton/Richard John Smith
Post by: forester on Wednesday 22 June 11 21:36 BST (UK)
Hello and welcome to Rootschat,

I had a look at William Seaton, 2552 and 280652, 4th London Regiment, but other than his medal index card, couldn't find anything. It looks like his service record was destroyed in WW2, along with the other 60-70%.

Phil
Title: Re: William Seaton/Richard John Smith
Post by: sarahwalker63 on Thursday 23 June 11 09:19 BST (UK)
Dear Phil

Thank you for looking, please could you tell me what the numbers mean (2552 and 280652) that you have written after his name?

Sarah
Title: Re: William Seaton/Richard John Smith
Post by: sarahwalker63 on Thursday 23 June 11 09:20 BST (UK)
Sorry again Phil, where can I find his medal index card?  Would this be national archives?
Sarah
Title: Re: William Seaton/Richard John Smith
Post by: forester on Thursday 23 June 11 19:34 BST (UK)
Hello Sarah,

The numbers are his service numbers. The first would be the one he was originally issued with. The second is as a result of the Territorials being re-numbered in early 1917.

http://www.1914-1918.net/renumbering.htm

The medal index cards are available online at the National Archives site (poor quality black and white) and on Ancestry (in colour).

Phil

PS: PM sent  ;)