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I've just been following all the threads and learning a lot along the way! I'm still not sure I fully understand the divisions/battalions etc but I think I found a link on Wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/89th_Brigade_(United_Kingdom) that suggests his unit were in Roupy at the beginning of the spring offensive - which ties in the POW record of where he was captured.

The camp Langenstraza, ties in with the stories around being sent down the saltmines with Russian POWs as I read this area was renowned for it's saltmines. Although the original family story suggests he was captured at the 1st July 1916 Somme (but could easily have been confused as the Wiki reference has them around the Somme in 1918 at point of capture) and sent to Zerbes (which doesn't seem to exist but Zerst does.)

Grateful to all the help.
M

THANK YOU all so much. Really, to have so many knowledgable replies in a short space of time is really appreciated. Thank you. I have much to follow now and hopefully uncover.

I do have the image from the King and also some rough family notes made by relatives of the past - that's where the prisoner story comes from with the Zerbes reference.

This side of the family are incredibly difficult to decipher - large families with multiple same names and unreliable dates of births etc!!

Again really kind of you all to give up your time and send so much help my way - I'll get cracking!

M

Out of interest, if you have neither the marriage nor the baptism record, where did the surname Leavis come from?

You described Leavis as her "MMN" - did you mean her mother's maiden name or Sarah's maiden name?
as without either record I am struggling to see where it came from and if you can explain then that 'may' help the search.

Boo

That’s a good point!!! It’s an old, old entry and having taken a look, I can’t answer the Q immediately off the top of my head!


Her 3rd Son is called Richard Leavis Coburne b1816 and he goes on to have a son of the same name b1839

Mind you, I’m also puzzled by her last child b1832 being called Mary Watson Coburn (though it’s been significantly easier tracking her line as a Mary Watson even after she marries a Henry Dixon!)


This is a line I’m revisiting from a few years ago, in the hope I have better knowledge thesedays but ….!!

There's a Sarah Leeves baptism in 1791 at Chardstock, Devon. Parents Joseph and Elizabeth.

Thank you so much Shaun. I’ll take a look at that - not come across that record before.

Will have a look but as an aside have you the marriage or a baptism for her which may give the place?

Thank you. Sadly I have neither which is so frustrating! The name ‘Leavis’ doesn’t exist much in Devon.Lavis does but even that doesn’t help me find any relation!