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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Twiggy811 on Wednesday 05 June 19 22:16 BST (UK)

Title: Assistance needed for researching a WW1 ancestor
Post by: Twiggy811 on Wednesday 05 June 19 22:16 BST (UK)

Hi all,
     Drawing a blank when researching my ancestor Herbert Richardson’s First World War service he was born in Halton Cheshire in 1897 and only record I can find is a pension ledger index for his discharge in 1918. Labour corps regimental number 267438. Cannot find a medal card or any further info on him.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Ben

Title: Re: Assistance needed for researching a WW1 ancestor
Post by: barryd on Thursday 06 June 19 03:16 BST (UK)

My only experience with Cheshire was when I failed to turn left when I wanted to head south on the M6.

Herbert was baptized 29 November 1896, Halton, Cheshire, son of John Thomas (a Tanner)  and Eliz. Richardson. John Thomas also born Halton. Eliz. born ……………. Cheshire. 

Title: Re: Assistance needed for researching a WW1 ancestor
Post by: rosie99 on Thursday 06 June 19 05:27 BST (UK)

A large percentage of WW1 records were destroyed in WW2

Title: Re: Assistance needed for researching a WW1 ancestor
Post by: MaxD on Thursday 06 June 19 09:08 BST (UK)

The absence of a service record, as Rosie says, almost certainly means it was lost to bombing in WW2, only about 4 in 1o survived so the odds are always against.

The absence of a medal card (these were not lost) again almost certainly means he served in UK and not overseas. (The alternative is that no medal card was prepared for him).  Tens of thousands of men served in Labour Corps companies in agriculture, munitions supply and general labouring work.  Just as likely to receive some sort of disability at home which warranted a later pension.

Did he have some special skill perhaps? Is there anything on his pension record that resemble a unit eg 534 AEC LC or similar?

MaxD