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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: DebPat on Tuesday 13 July 21 13:56 BST (UK)

Title: Arthur Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: DebPat on Tuesday 13 July 21 13:56 BST (UK)
Hi, I am trying (and failing) to find these for a friend.

His Birthdate is 27 Jan 1898 In Whitechapel, London.
Father William Henry Berry. Mother Emily Harris.

Family knows he took part in WW1. Although he would have been 16 at the outbreak. There is some speculation that he lied about his age to join up. He survived War(s) Died in 1972 Poplar London.

We have been unable to find any of his military records, even though we are relatively seasoned family historians. I am hoping Better military centered minds will succeed where we have failed.

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: nanny jan on Tuesday 13 July 21 14:47 BST (UK)

Are you aware that around 70% of WW1 Service Records were destroyed in the Blitz in WW2?  His records might have been lost.
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 13 July 21 15:06 BST (UK)
I can see just one Alfred Charles Berry but don't get your hopes up.
He may not have used his middle name at attestation or he may not have served
overseas so there won't be a medal card.
However this one was Pte. G/18542 2nd. Btn. Sussex Regt.
He enlisted 2/9/16 & was wounded & placed on the SWB list.
This gives an age of 20y 4m. This will be his age at discharge which was 6/5/19.
So his age is about right at least.
There is a Pension ledger entry for him on Fold 3 which may give more details
but sadly I don't have a sub. I'm sure someone will look it up for you.
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: DebPat on Tuesday 13 July 21 15:06 BST (UK)
yes well aware of that. Figured that should be a medal card. Maybe other bits.
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: CaroleW on Tuesday 13 July 21 15:06 BST (UK)
Looking at the Medal Roll Index - lots of entries for Alfred Berry but only one Alfred C Berry who was a Private in the  Royal Sussex reg number G/18542

However - he may not have used his middle name when he enlisted

EDIT - snap - 3 replies all at 15.06 ;D
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: DebPat on Tuesday 13 July 21 15:09 BST (UK)
I think She may have looked at him. :( We are both fairly good normally at finding stuff. we are failing massively on this though. :(
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 13 July 21 15:18 BST (UK)
Did she look on Fold3 as I suggested?
Title: Re: Arthur Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: DebPat on Tuesday 13 July 21 16:04 BST (UK)
Apologies my fingers are clearly not on the same planet as my head. it is Arthur Charles Berry.. not Alfred. :(
 
Title: Re: Arthur Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: CaroleW on Tuesday 13 July 21 18:59 BST (UK)
A lot of Arthur C Berry entries on the MRI but back in 2016 somebody has notified that one was Arthur Charles Berry. - 11th Hussars reg number 158

Title: Re: Arthur Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 13 July 21 19:26 BST (UK)
Quote
11th Hussars reg number 158
He was a pre-war regular.
Title: Re: Arthur Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: DebPat on Tuesday 13 July 21 19:42 BST (UK)
which make him impossible to be the right one who would be 16 at the outbreak of WW1
Title: Re: Arthur Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: CaroleW on Wednesday 14 July 21 11:00 BST (UK)
So you are left with 7 Arthur C Berry entries in the MRI
Title: Re: Arthur Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: jim1 on Wednesday 14 July 21 11:20 BST (UK)
Quote
So you are left with 7 Arthur C Berry entries in the MRI
2 were 15 Star holders & 1 KIA.
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: Jebber on Wednesday 14 July 21 13:55 BST (UK)
yes well aware of that. Figured that should be a medal card. Maybe other bits.

Have you considered that he may not have served overseas for some reason? If that was the case there would be no medal card.
Title: Re: Alfred Charles Berry WW1 Records
Post by: DebPat on Wednesday 14 July 21 14:16 BST (UK)
Have you considered that he may not have served overseas for some reason? If that was the case there would be no medal card.

It's believed that he did. Sigh. I know this is a long shot he could have used almost any name. Lol