Looking for WW1 records ?

[Aunty Em]

Hiya

Would someone be able to point me in the direction of WW1 records, please. Mr grandfather from Dundalk was in the British army, all I know is that he fought at the Somme. Any info would be welcome.

Thank You

Regards
Aunty Em

[Jayne]

Try the National Archives, they have the Military records on there including both WW 1 & 2,
Jayne

[Jayne]

Did he survive the war, if not you may find further information Commonwealth War graves commission. that tells you of death and burials

Jayne

[Aunty Em]

Hiya Jayne,

Thank you so much, yes, he did survive the war, TG

Kind Regards
Aunty Em

[lizzey]

There is very good website dedicated to this type of research at:

http://www.1914-1918.net/  

On the right hand side is a menu with a link to the forum, which I suggest you join. There are lots of very knowledgeable people there (many ex-army) only too happy to help answer queries. Many of them have invaluable resource material which they are happy to share. I eventually found my family member  (including a photograph !) with their help.

The difficulty with WW1 records, is that many were destroyed in fire in WW2. So, the archives at Kew may or may not have the records you are searching for.

Good Luck.
Lizzey

[liverpool annie]

Hi Aunty Em ! and welcome to Armed Forces !! 

Before you try the excellent Forum suggested .... why don't you give RootsChat experts a chance - we have many !!

If you would like to post your grandfather's  name and any family stories etc or any other details you can think of  .... we'd be happy to help if we can !

Annie 

[Aunty Em]

Hiya Lizzie & liverpoolannie

A  pair of angels have landed at my doorstep, thank you

Here goes with what little info I have, my grandfathers name was Philip Gray from Dundalk Co Louth, his wife was Emily, they had 6 children. They were probably living at John St at the time of the war. I have been told my GF was discharged sometime before the end of the war due to being `gassed`, how true this is I don`t know. I`m sorry this is all the info I have, hope it is of some help.

Thank you soooo much

Kind Regards
Aunty Em

I`ve also heard he had two brothers serving in the war, I think one was called Micheal.

[lizzey]

OOps . Apologies to all you WW1 experts out there.  

I spent some time on the 'other' forum, specifically looking for WW1 material, long before I found my way here.

Sorry again.



Lizzey.

[lizzey]

I did a quick search for a Philip Gray's medal card on the National Archives database.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Only 11 names came up. Only 1 of those in an Irish regiment.

Description Medal card of Gray, Philip
Corps Regiment No Rank
Royal Irish Rifles 10848 Private
Royal Irish Fusiliers 51865 Private
 
Date 1914-1920
Catalogue reference WO 372/8 


If this is him, you now have his regiment and number. Invaluable for tracing his records. As he survived the war there is also a better chance of his records being available at Kew.

You'll need to take a look at the other Philip Grays listed. I may have the wrong one here.

Just go to the National Archives page.
Click on Military History/British Army and find the links through to the War medals Index cards. you can view the card for £3.50 and that holds clues to where he served. (It'll need deciphering !)

 I'm sure there will be others here who can be of more help.

best wishes
Lizzey