RootsChat.Com

Oh my goodness. You’re all amazing!! I’ve just managed to log on after running after my three year old all day and what a fab surprise. Thanks to you all for taking time
out to respond.

Sylvia I’m so sorry to hear about the document destruction- how heartbreaking.

Andy J2022 thanks so my for details on his earlier history. A great line of enquiry for me to pick up that I hadn’t realised existed.

ShaunJ and Jim1 that’s just fantastic, thank you so much for the information my mum is going to be thrilled.

Interestingly I have just read a little about the Battle of Bapaume and there is reference to a railway line - so maybe the old family story about him his leg after a train ran over it was true after all. Frustratingly it feels like one of those mysteries that may never be sold thanks to the faulty comprehensive loss of papers.

Thanks for the Facebook group tip youngtug, I’ll join and, needle in a haystack I know, but see whether anyone knows anything at all.

I’ve added a photo of William. I’ve had to compress it so I’m hoping it’s clear. The photographer very kindly tried to hide his lost leg but having him stand by a pillar, but you can just see that his left trouser leg is pinned up.

Thank you all so much, whilst I can’t give my lovely mum her definitive answer, at least I can fill in some of the blanks for her. Really appreciate it !

Evening everyone

I’m currently researching my great grandfather who I believe was in the machine gun corps during ww1.

My mother, who very sadly is not enjoying the best of health, has always been desperate to know whether the family story we have always been told about my great grandfather losing a leg as a train ran over it is true or, alternatively, whether something else had happened to cause him to lose his leg.

I am desperately searching for information in the hope that I can tell tell my lovely mum the true story behind her grandfather’s injury and hopefully a little about his service.

Following his discharge my great grandfather went on to marry my great grandmother and had 9 (!) children, of whom 8 survived childhood.

I have no information about my great grandfather’s service, but I have uncovered some information which I have to confess I’m struggling to understand as it’s my first adventure into military history.

I would be so very grateful for any help / pointers.

The information I have available is as follows:

William David Gray
DoB 15 November 1897
Place of birth Chiswick
Regimental number 141 412
Date of enlistment 24 April 1915
Date of discharge 28 June 1919
Silver war medal number B28633

I have also inserted a screenshot of the official sources I have located (although embarrassingly I’m struggling a little to understand). The photo I have of his silver war star entry is too large to be attached.

Thank you in advance for any help anyone is able to offer (particularly about the missing leg!).

Oh my Westoe thank you so much for taking the time to respond and for the info ! Some fabulous leads there.

Yes it was the census record that first sparked my hunt.  I’ll try and lay my hands on the other census.

I’ve also just found him in the admissions records for the Dreadnought hospital in August 1852 having been discharged from the Olivia, although I can’t quite fathom the reason for admission. I’ve checked the Lloyds registers and there seem to be three Olivia’s one of which may also be a more coastal ship. So more digging to do there.

I’ve got myself in a pickle over the Asshur. It was actually his son, John, not James that took a voyage on that in 1880.  It looks as if he may have jumped off at Rio of all places ! If that’s right then I’m assuming if certificates were compulsory from 1850 I might be able to find John James Bobbitt’s certificate number somewhere?

The newspaper snippets are great (and quite tantalising!). I hadn’t thought of looking at newspapers for info - I fear the urge to sign up for a short time to get a bit more info might prove irresistible!!