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I've recorded below what I think it says, along with the parts I can't read. Would appreciate it if someone could check what I've typed and fill in the missing -

Dear Walter,

Many thanks for your further letter & I enclose the one which you require & which I hope will assist you at Fridays Board. Have just returned from a holiday in the South of France & visited ?? & also the whole of the Somme Battlefield. Principally the places I ?? I was right though Albert  I got within a few yards of the place where you and I were in March 18. It was very interesting. though most of the trenches grown over & disappeared by now. Also went around High Wood, Delville Wood  Abbe Wood where I was wounded in Sep 16 & it was easy to remember ones way about there.

?? & wishing you the best of luck with the pensions people on Friday

Thanks in anticipation

Hopefully a quick one - I've tried the usual searches and all I find is WW1 related

I'm researching a Pvt 10214 Thomas Steedman who I know landed at Zeebrugge 6th Oct 1914, serving with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, 2nd Bn. B Coy - died 24th of Oct 1914 Belgium - Battle of Ypres (Battle of Langemarck).

From his service number it would appear that he joined between 29th July 1910 & 4th April 1911 - source http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/royal-scots-fusiliers-1st-2nd.html

I also have a photo of him and his fiancé - which has been dated around 1910 / 1911  - I previously posted this photo to try and identify him - long story but after 4 years of research finally identified his details on remembrance day of all days ! (he's a step brother of my grandfather, not an actual brother as we were all told) - photo details here http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=685388.0

My question is - can anyone let me know what the movements were for 2nd Bn. between 1910 and 1914 -

The photo of him in uniform was taken in Northern Ireland - On the rear it states Photo by - J. Thompson, Crane's Buildings, Wellington Place, Belfast and Shipquay Place, Londonderry - J. Thompson had studios around this time in Belfast and Dublin. Just trying to fit the last piece of the puzzle, understanding where he likely served 1910 to 1914 and the connection with N.Ireland.


Thanks in anticipation

I'm trying to find a bit more information on why a medal was issued - ie the citation.

Details in question -

Robert Walter Service number 10652  - 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment,

Military Medal - Medal card states Date of Gazette 02/11/1917 - Registered paper 68/121/302   108862.

I've searched on the Gazette but can't find the entry in question.

I've also tried to local newspapers (Liverpool where the Bantams originated from, and Chester where Robert Walter originated from) both with a negative result - but as I have limited access to paper achieves this isn't surprising

Also... tried the book Cheshire Bantams by Stephen McGreal and also purchased 16th Battalions war diaries - both name him but offer no further info. (16th Battalion war Diary entry recorded as "Battlion informed of following awards - 2lt Barder Military Cross, Sgts Brown and Day along with Privates Clarke, Nurser, Walters and Lance Corporal Peake to receive Military Medal"

Is anyone able, via their experience of searching / access to records able to assist and establish the citation behind this medal (appreciate MM was awarded in numbers but for obvious reasons would like to try)

If it looks like I'm drawing a blank - is anyone aware of any Cheshire Regimental records hidden away somewhere which would / could contain the citation that I could access

Thanks in anticipation

Fetlar, cheers and yes, you have hit the nail on the head with this one as Southwark I've seen listed as Greenwich, St Olave, St Saviour and a couple of others. Meaning he could be registered with any of them.

I put a request in last night to Births and deaths for a birth cert on an open search, namely his details, parents, approx year which they search one year either side of and birth area London - not sure if it will work. If it doesn't then it will be the case of picking your aforementioned list off one at a time, in order of most likely.

Andy