RootsChat.Com

1. I have no idea who or what "Tim" is
2. Do you have Raphoe records ? If so, I just asked some simple questions----just answer one of them ; if "no": why
3. Are you wanting money?
4. Are you the Rootsweb prankster? If so: ROTFLOL.

thx L.A.--------you're very kind to take an interest.It is MUCH appreciated. Before proceeding, just to make sure we are on the right lines together, could you please just confirm that it's the same family: the easiest way to do so would be if you could give me 3 facts relating to my Grandfather James Ayton, b Raphoe 1882---what date?): 1. Who did he marrry and when? (my grandmother). 2 Who were James's parents (my greats), when born and married?.  3.Any info on my grandmother's family please.  If you have the same details as me re those 3 items............then I would know I wasn't wasting your time by discussing further. I  find it is best to take this approach initially..........as I really do hate wasting kind folks' valuable time....just to find that I have led them into research on a different branch altogether. I very much look forward to hearing from you-----and TU again..............

My sincere thanks Doug-----and , especially at this time of the year, I send my thoughts to you with regard to your family losses in both World Wars.
Thank you so much for the info in the last message here. I have seen a photo of the New Colours Ceremony in India in 1906; my grandad also remembered it well: I think he travelled to the ceremony---and told me about it ( I knew him so well till he died in 1966 when I was 17----a wonderful man who would hardly talk about WWI )---he was in all the front-line battles of the 2nd Batt). He was in Agra 31.10.04; Allahabad 23.12.04; Hailana 13.7.05; Allahabad 15.10.05 to 10.11.07; south Africa 29.11.07; Pretoria 1.12.07 to 20.1. 11. He was at Aldershot when WWI broke out and, as you know sailed very soon for france. He served continuously in France/Flanders/AoO Germany 12.8.14 to 22.4.19.
I have been looking for some photos of life in the Indian postings -----but to no avail. However, I have a full copy of the War Diary and Colonel Vale's excellent book " History Of The South Staffordshire regiment"----both of which I am quite happy to loan to you anytime (if you have not got them already).
A little footnote of history is that my grandfather won the All-India Army Swimming Championship in 1906. No record exists (and i would expect a regimental Museum to have details of all such little things as that).His swimming medal has been lost. But his Old Contemptibles Badge (which he wore everyday till his death in 1966) and his War medals(inc Mons Star) are in safe-deposit. But the Museum at Whittington has been a disappointment to me, ever since I first visited it-----in particular their paucity of records and photos  from the early 1900s is poor;  with no real full-time staff, they have not got time to delve deep------because some exist somewhere; has anyone from the Regiment ever thought to enquire of the family's of the Colonels of long-ago (or indeed other officers or medal winners)? I think not. A pity-----I often imagine papers and photos existing in such family papers.
My Grandad DID mention Capt Kirby -----but it was fleeting and so long ago. I later studied the Great war at college, am a member of The Western Front Association, and have visited the Flanders Fields. We will not see their like again.
I appreciate this exchange very much Doug. My very best wishes.       Ron Bolus

Hi there and thx Anne----------I'm sure there are......    Contact them all and ask if any have done Family History Research?   I will look into it........I don't know how------but I will  .  My thanks to you

Yes, Annie-------I was just testing you out there, well spotted  .  Seriously the Burma Star Archives, by definition, can only go back as far as the Burma Campaign of 1941-45-----touche, je crois 
Yes----"fun" IS the right word. BTW, I knew many of your family : Mr Earl Howarth was my music teacher; Mr Herbert Price was my History teacher for A level;
and I'm sure I've heard of a seafaring chap called moules mariniere somewhere on my travels. Thx again, Annie--------I will not charge for any history lesson about Burma NOT being in WWI........     Cheekyron