RootsChat.Com

Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Katrina Tricker on Wednesday 22 December 21 00:55 GMT (UK)

Title: Ww1 Awol
Post by: Katrina Tricker on Wednesday 22 December 21 00:55 GMT (UK)
Hi my great grandad went awol during ww1. In the 1920s he did 84 days at park royal for it .
Could anyone please tell me what park royal is/ was
Thank you
Title: Re: Ww1 Awol
Post by: theirchild on Wednesday 22 December 21 03:50 GMT (UK)
Hi Katrina,

It sounds very much like he was sent to prison.

I'm afraid that I'm not very knowledgeable regarding such establishments and Dear Old Auntie Google was not very forthcoming when I asked about prisons near Park Royal. I was quite persistent but she was having none of it; must have been having a bad day, I guess.  ::)

My maternal grandfather could, most probably, have helped us out here. As a former resident of several prisons, who spent a great deal of his life at His Majesty's Pleasure (I'm talking pre-Queen Elizabeth II), I'm sure he was very familiar with them. But he's been deceased for 57 years now so we can't ask him!

I'm also no expert on military matters but there are more than a few Rootschatters who are...I expect they'll be along shortly and respond to your post.  :)

It's quite possible, too, that among the Rootschat community there are members who know all about the prison service. (Hopefully as employees/ex-employees; but maybe also those who've experienced a bit of porridge themselves.) Let's keep our fingers crossed that they chip in too.

If you don't get a response after a few days - which is pretty unlikely - ask the Mods nicely and they'll move your thread to the World War One Board. (It's best not to post on more than one Board at a time as this can lead to Rootschatters wasting their time duplicating each other's efforts as they assist you - which is obviously a big disincentive.)  ;)

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I hope I've kept you entertained for a minute or two and that my post assists in keeping your thread near the top of the board, where it's bound to get more attention. Good luck.

Rgds, 

theirchild
     
Title: Re: Ww1 Awol
Post by: mckha489 on Wednesday 22 December 21 04:27 GMT (UK)
According to the newspapers, There were Barracks at Park Royal. So perhaps they had a military detention centre there too.


https://archives.tcu.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/17949

Added.  In the 1920s it looks as though  (again from newspapers) that it was a children’s camp.
But hopefully someone who really knows will come along. :)
Title: Re: Ww1 Awol
Post by: MeirSoul on Wednesday 22 December 21 09:58 GMT (UK)
Park Royal, Brent/Ealing
Munitions factories were built on the site during the First World War, and it developed as an important industrial estate after hostilities ended. Employers included HJ Heinz and Waterlows printers, and there were stadiums for greyhound racing and football.

Park Royal seems to of been a munitions factory
Title: Re: Ww1 Awol
Post by: jim1 on Wednesday 22 December 21 11:40 GMT (UK)
It doesn't really answer your question but 84 days for desertion is very short
when typically it would be between 1 & 2 years.
I suspect he was held at Park Royal detention centre while awaiting trial
by Court Martial & then sent to a Military Prison.
Title: Re: Ww1 Awol
Post by: Katrina Tricker on Wednesday 22 December 21 13:33 GMT (UK)
How would I find out if he did time at military prison
Title: Re: Ww1 Awol
Post by: jim1 on Wednesday 22 December 21 13:58 GMT (UK)
It will be on his service record if it exists.