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Messages - layerb

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1
World War One / Re: Bedtime reading - WW1
« on: Friday 09 October 09 23:36 BST (UK)  »
Hi Paul,

You could do not better than try The Western Front Association.

www.wfa.org

There are plenty of unit histories about, so if you know the particular battalion of their regiment you should look at that.  Also trace the division as well as they often have histories written which show how things fitted together.

Men serving inn Infantry regiment (Cheshire, King's Liverpool etc) would serve in a battalion !st, 2nd etc and it is this unit you need to trace first.  Battalions were grouped in4s or later 3s into a Brigade and then a number of brigades into a Division.  They were then grouped into an "Army".

Hope this helps,

layerb

2
FH Documents and Artefacts / Re: Indian Medals and replicas
« on: Friday 09 October 09 23:29 BST (UK)  »
Could well be.  I've not come accross them before, but I'm at an OMRS meeting tomoroow and will ask then.

They remind me of the things you used to get from petrol stations.  The image of the Punjab is not absolutley correct, but the IGSM looks better matched.

Cheers,

layerb

3
FH Documents and Artefacts / Re: Indian Medals and replicas
« on: Friday 09 October 09 20:46 BST (UK)  »
HI there,

Both of the sides with pictures on them are very close to being the same as the original full size medals (which would have been silver).  Each would also usually have  had a clasp containing the names of the battles a soldier took part in as well as a suspension bar upon which the ribbon would have been looped around. This would actually have been the reverse of the medal.

The other side of your photos however proves they are not miniatures, as true minis would have had the image of Queen Victoria (Punjab Medal) or Edward VII (IGSM).  Minis would also have had the clasps on, as well as the ribbon.  This side would be the front (or obverse) and would be the side worn "showing".

I've not seen medals like this before - someone will have!

Hope this helps,

layerb


4
Lancashire / Re: Finding a birth record
« on: Friday 09 October 09 20:22 BST (UK)  »
Hi Joan,

I was looking at your list of names and noticed Kennerley/Congleton.  There was a bunch of Kennerleys based in Winsford as well and I have some details on these if you are interested.

Quite new to RC and not sure how to pass this info on within this chat.

Cheers,

layerb

5
Armed Forces / Re: help with a WW1 photo!
« on: Friday 02 October 09 23:04 BST (UK)  »
Hi,

If you go to the TNA try and speak to William Spencer who is the best at knowing what military docs are about.  He wrote the guide for TNA on medals & WW1 papers etc.

Failing that, use one of the professional researchers from the list TNA will supply, rather than a TNA researcher. a - they know what they're doing and where to take some research & b - a lot cheaper!

Cheers
layerb

6
World War One / Re: Medal Card
« on: Friday 02 October 09 20:45 BST (UK)  »
Hi there,

It would be worth getting hold of the actual medal roll for Robert as the dates of his overseas service should be included.  You will need to either visit TNA or use a researcher as the rolls are original documents.  The staff at TNA do not always advise you to get the rolls, but sometimes they contain useful information.  Normally this is limited to a battalion number where the soldier was a member of an infantry unit (Cheshire Regiment etc).  This does not usually happen when a man was in the Artillery or one of the Corps.

The rolls were originally produced by the various military record offices and intended to show overeseas service.  Each record office reference begins with a letter, but only those that begin TP/ bothered to fill this in.  If you can not find his papers this is better than nothing.

Hope this helps

layerb

7
Lancashire / Re: ROOTES AIRCRAFT FACTORY SPEKE WW2
« on: Monday 21 September 09 07:37 BST (UK)  »
Hi Allen, my step-father used to have go on trial flights from both Speke & Burtonwood.  The Self-sealing fuel tanks were the project he spent most time on, but there were others as well.  Sometimes he had to travel to other US air bases.  This looks like it might tie in with fitting parts to exisitng aircraft.

Many thanks for the info.

8
Lancashire / Re: ROOTES AIRCRAFT FACTORY SPEKE WW2
« on: Friday 18 September 09 19:15 BST (UK)  »
Hi there,

It could be that he worked up the road. He was getting on a bit when he told stories about working for Lockheeds.  We did find a certificate (and a small lapel badge) offering him a job for life in California after the war for all his efforts.  He also spent some time working from Burtonwood on the same fuel tank project.

They also used to make Mitchell bombers (B-25) and Havard trainers.  I thought I had understood it was based on the airport though.

Chers for now.

9
Lancashire / Re: ROOTES AIRCRAFT FACTORY SPEKE WW2
« on: Friday 18 September 09 07:24 BST (UK)  »
Hi,

I understand the factory was operated (or at least shared) by Lockheed, the USA plane makers, my step-father worked there on installing self-sealing fuel tanks in areoplane wings.


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