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Messages - Beowulf53

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Northumberland / Re: Request for images of Northumberland Fusiliers WW1
« on: Monday 08 November 10 02:03 GMT (UK)  »
My great uncle was John Sproat, I believe he was with the RNF and he died at the battle of the Somme 1916 and is buried at Beaumont Hammel war cemetery.  I include a photo which is reported to be of him but I have been unable to fully confirm this.  Family legend has it, he was attached to the Field Ambulance Corps.  The photo show a stripe (inverted chevron) on the left sleeve below the elbow, does anyone know the significance of this? also he is not wearing "Gators" or "Putees" as I believe was the standard.  If anyone has further info on John it would be greatly appreciated

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Northumberland / Re: sproat family history
« on: Monday 08 November 10 00:39 GMT (UK)  »
My maternal grandmother was Susannah Mavin, nee Sproat, her brother was John Sproat both from Morpeth, (I was born in Stannington) to my knowledge there were no other siblings.  I understand John Sproat joined the Northumberland Fusiliers at the onset of WW1 he was somehow attached to the Field Ambulance Corps. and I believe he was "Killed in Action" during the battle of the Somme in July of 1916.  There is a famous film clip of an unknown soldier carrying a wounded man through the trenches, I have always thought that soldier looked a lot like my older brother, I now have a photo (included) of my Great Uncle John Sproat in the uniform of the RNF and think he may be as good a candidate for this unknown soldier as any I've seen.

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