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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: FidgeJ on Tuesday 28 August 12 14:04 BST (UK)
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Two of my great grandfather's brothers would have been 26 and 17 when world war one began but I can't find either of them in the world war one records archive.
I can find my great grandad though.
I wondered if because one of his brothers was a vanman/driver on 1911 census that he may have been a reserved occupation.
The other was only a shop assistant so I assume he would have had to join up.
Anyone help me solve this?
I know its not my immediate relation but I still like to know :)
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Records for some of my relatives aren't available either. They were probably burned during WW2 during an air-raid.
Other Members will be able to give better details on this.
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Hi,
About 70% of WW1 records were destroyed in the bombing in WW2; if either of the men married or registered the birth of a child during WW1 then there's a good chance that the rank will be listed in the "occupation" column.
My gt.grandfather's death certificate of 1919 shows his occupation as " ex. Private, Labour Co" and also gives his service number. His papers are among those that got partly damaged by the fire; a bit singed round the edges but mainly readable!
Nanny Jan
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WW1 records are known as The Burnt Documents.
I have seen 30% quoted somewhere but I believe less than 25% of the records actually survive. So not surprising if you can't find your relatives.
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If you can post their names there MAY be other avenues If they went overseas there SHOULD be a Medal Index Card also there was Army,Navy,RAF and Royal Marines and Merchant Navy
Ady
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William Walter Fidgeon
Thomas Frederick Fidgeon
Both from Essex
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there is a medal card for a William W Fidgeon on the National Archives site,,,,but these only give basic details,,,name,number,regiment and medals awarded,,so no way of knowing if hes yours,,,but cant be many ww fidgeons around ? ;)
Description:
Medal card of Fidgeon, William W
Hertfordshire Regiment
10302
Private
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
270204
Private
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Good evening,
If this is your man then he was still a serving soldier after the war. They didn't become the Beds and herts until 1919. I believe it's correct that from 1920 records are still with the MOD.
John915
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If a person was a serviceman in 1918 and was still living at the time of the original registration to the Absent Voters List 1918 they should be on those lists. Where were your two soldiers from? That should be the place to look for them. If found their name, number, rank and regiment should be on the lists.
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there is a medal card for a William W Fidgeon on the National Archives site,,,,but these only give basic details,,,name,number,regiment and medals awarded,,so no way of knowing if hes yours,,,but cant be many ww fidgeons around ? ;)
Description:
Medal card of Fidgeon, William W
Hertfordshire Regiment
10302
Private
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
270204
Private
I've just looked these up - very helpful thank you.
I'm thinking the william w must be him because as you say there probably wouldn't be another one.
If they lived in Essex do you think they could be fighting for hertfordshire regiment?
I think I've also found Thomas:
Medal card of Fidgeon, Thomas
Corps
Regiment No
Rank
Machine Gun Corps
3216
Private
Royal Fusiliers
4938
Private
And my great grandfather:
Medal card of Fidgeon, Harry
Corps
Regiment No
Rank
Royal Garrison Artillery
24785
Corporal
Royal Garrison Artillery
24785
Serjeant
If I went down to the national archives at KEW do you think I could view these personally?
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you can download from the NA site for a small fee,,,or they will be available on Ancestry.But as i said,,,not much more to be learned from them other than medals awarded.
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I know this may be a little ignorant of me but what was the difference between a corporal and a seargent's role?
It seems my great grandad was both