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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Lisajb on Tuesday 30 September 14 18:28 BST (UK)

Title: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: Lisajb on Tuesday 30 September 14 18:28 BST (UK)
Would soldiers killed in action in WW1, and who died in France and Belgium, have death certificates?

Sorry if it's a basic question with an obvious answer!

Thanks
Lisa
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: mmm45 on Tuesday 30 September 14 18:34 BST (UK)
Yes you can apply like any other but most have very limited info and usually say "killed in action" with his military details.
Theres always exceptions though.

Ady
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: dawnsh on Tuesday 30 September 14 20:05 BST (UK)
The GRO indexes can be found on FindMyPast. You can search for free but you'll need a sub to see the entries

http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/british-nationals-armed-forces-deaths-1796-2005

which then gives you results from the GRO War Deaths Officers and GRO War Deaths Other ranks 1914-1921

If the name is frequently occuring, try to find the correct entry on the CWGC site and then cross reference the name and number on FindMyPast.
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: Lisajb on Tuesday 30 September 14 20:19 BST (UK)
Thank you to both of you.  I have details of both men from the CWGC so will see what I can find on FindMyPast
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: Svenja on Wednesday 01 October 14 00:00 BST (UK)
Hi

If you search for a soldier who died in Le Havre, France you will find his death record here.

http://recherche.archivesdepartementales76.net/?id=recherche_guidee_etat_civil

There are not only french soldiers but also british and german soldiers.

Regards
Svenja
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: majm on Wednesday 01 October 14 00:16 BST (UK)
Would soldiers killed in action in WW1, and who died in France and Belgium, have death certificates?

Sorry if it's a basic question with an obvious answer!

Thanks
Lisa

Some of the AIF fallen (Australian Imperial Forces) do indeed have death certificates.   Those who enlisted in the Australian State of Queensland in particular, and who did not return, are often found on the Qld BDM registers.   Their dc's are denoted with the prefix "F"   These were initially registered in about 1922.    Each of the states handled the deceased estates slightly differently from each other, but in many instances, the AIF base records officers  were able to provide official letterhead letters confirming the deaths, to enable the families to sort out the practical issues that they faced. 

I understand that similar actions were taken in New Zealand for the families there when their family members did not return.

There was actually a particular form that the AIF issued, that could take the place of a death certificate.  Perhaps other countries also had similar schemes.

http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service_casualty_form.aspx

Cheers,  JM
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: bleckie on Wednesday 01 October 14 09:29 BST (UK)
Hi All

The image below is part of a list from the minor records from www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk 

This is the only death cert I could find for one of my ancestors.

Yours Aye
BruceL
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: majm on Thursday 02 October 14 01:08 BST (UK)
There was actually a particular form that the AIF issued, that could take the place of a death certificate. 

Further checking leads to:

FIELD SERVICE Army Form B2090A
"Report of Death of a Soldier to be forwarded to the War Office with the least possible delay after receipt of notification of death on Army Form B213 or Army Form A 36, or from other official documentary sources. "


Cheers,  JM
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: La Bassee on Friday 03 October 14 23:42 BST (UK)
Thanks for the info, I have found one i wanted on FindMyPast and ordered the certificate
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: Lisajb on Sunday 05 October 14 21:13 BST (UK)
I have looked at FindMyPast and there were some possibilities on there.  Will have to decide on which subscription to buy for the site!
Title: Re: Death certificates for soldiers killed in action
Post by: BushInn1746 on Thursday 09 August 18 09:17 BST (UK)
UK until 23.59 BST on 9th August 2018

Just get a free sign in (free registration, but not the free offer unless you wish to subscribe) to Ancestry, but they are not Death Certificates

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/cs/free-access?slid=&pgrid=26360188390&ptaid=kwd-1210375297&s_kwcid=+ancestry&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5qHB3sLf3AIVpp3tCh104gwmEAAYASABEgIklPD_BwE&o_xid=59287&o_lid=59287&o_sch=Paid+Search+Non+Brand

Mark