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For many years now I've been aware that my grandfather took part in WW1 and indeed I knew he was a POW but actual dates were not forthcoming, That is until recently and now it's thrown up a new set of questions.
He was Michael Alfred King, Born 1897 in Belfast. Living at Queen Victoria Street. It would appear he signed up in 1915 / 1916 and joined the Royal Irish Rifles. The documents I have are very faded photo copies so inaccuracies will exist. From research I have done shows he was in a Reserve regiment based first at Holywood and then to Clandeboye (both Northern Ireland). The regiment then moved to England in 1918. However this is confusing as the faded document indicates he was posted, somewhere, in 1917. We then have a gap in the information and then we now found out he was indeed a POW @ St Quentin, in France on 23/05/1918 and indeed data shows he was a POW from 21/03/1918 - 04/01/1919.However we have some, unverified, information that he may also have been at Stendal The German Empire POW camp just west of Berlin.
Can any military experts help fill in the missing pieces? Any info at all would be both helpful and interesting.

Thanks Jardiner

Hi there. I'm researching a mystery that has just come to light about an ancestor of mine.

Hugo Walton King. Born 1853 in Whitehaven, Cumberland, United Kingdom.
For years now we've had him on our scant records as having died 1872 at the young age of 18. No records were available to back this up so it was just accepted. However a snippet of information has come to light suggesting he either became a seaman or worked his passage over to Australia. The death date would either refer to date leaving the UK or the time he stepped onto Australian soil and set up a new life. I know Australia is a huge country and my only guide would be a regular sailing from Liverpool. Does any member know of or have in their family details of such a person? One other thing that may help is the fact that his father and grandfather were cabinet makers and certainly after the death of his father in 1865 the business closed and furniture items sold. We know a cabinet made in the style of Chippendale was indeed purchased at a later date by someone in Australia- person unknown.

Regards
Jardiner

After a long break I've restarted researching the family name. I've hit a brick wall with regards as to where the family name  from originally. If I start with GGGF who was a cabinet maker at 76 Lowther Street in Whitehaven and carried on business, employing many men, until his death in 1865. There are several references to him local publications and in national reference books. Prior to him there were William and Michael King who were looking-glass manufacturers, sheet glass, and posibilly clock makers. residing at one stage in King street. I can get back as far as birth date for Michael King  1713 with a death date of 1787 (not totally confirmed). I know Whitehaven was an up and coming town with coal mining,etc so it's more and likely they came for the work. But, from Where? I've looked at many sites specializing in listing local Whitehaven family names and King does not appear. Any info or suggestions would be gratefully received. M King

Hi there.
I would would like to thank all those you have replied to my posting, it really is encouraging. Yes! some of the information suggested I do have but what has been posted has helped confirm what I have on file. The "new" material received is interesting and has now posed new questions. I will scroll through these and will answer very soon, or as is normal - ask more questions.

Regards

M King