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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Bedfordshire => England => Bedfordshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: NorfolkTrees on Sunday 14 June 20 16:46 BST (UK)

Title: WW1 Records - RUFF, Arthur
Post by: NorfolkTrees on Sunday 14 June 20 16:46 BST (UK)
I'm building a family tree and I've been told by a relative (Arthur Ruff's nephew) that Arthur served in WW1. I'm struggling to track down any records that fit.

Things I know:

Arthur Ruff
b. 24/04/1899
m. 1930 (Florence Ellen Jeffs)
d. 1971

In 1911 he was living with his parents and 4 of his siblings in Great Barford, near Bedford.

Father: William Ruff (b.1866)
Mother: Elizabeth Young (b.1863)

I will keep searching, but if anyone has any bright ideas, I'd love to hear them.
Thanks in advance.  :)
Title: Re: WW1 Records - RUFF, Arthur
Post by: CaroleW on Monday 15 June 20 00:33 BST (UK)
Over 60% of WW1 service records were burnt during the WW2 blitz

He would have to be 18 to enlist (although some lied about their age) which would take him to April 1917

Which regiment did he serve in?
Title: Re: WW1 Records - RUFF, Arthur
Post by: ShaunJ on Monday 15 June 20 07:36 BST (UK)
The absent voters lists for 1918 and 1919 (92 Dudley Street, Bedford) list Pte Arthur Ruff 136004, A Company 58 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. (Also L/C Walter William Ruff (brother?) 35934, 51 Bn MGC.)

The Silver War Badge Roll shows that he enlisted on 21 May 1917 and was discharged (wounds) on 9 October 1919 aged 20 years and 6 months.
Title: Re: WW1 Records - RUFF, Arthur
Post by: johnP-bedford on Monday 15 June 20 08:30 BST (UK)
Arthur Ruff was at 92 Dudley Street from 1920 up to 1929 with his parents & then he was at 72 later 72a Elstow Road with wife Florence Ellen up to 1949 as per Beds Electoral Rolls available on Ancestry
Title: Re: WW1 Records - RUFF, Arthur
Post by: NorfolkTrees on Tuesday 16 June 20 15:59 BST (UK)
Thanks all, so very helpful!

Walter William Ruff was his older brother so that fits too.

Thanks again!  ;D