1914-1918 war records

[Adrian Smith]

Hello all,

I'm looking for details of my Grandfather's First World War record.  I know he was gassed and was plagued with bronchial problems for the rest of his life.  At the moment,I don't even know what regiment he served with.

Charles William HEMMENS b 1890 in Winscombe, Somerset before moving to WESTBURY, Wilts.  Married April 18 1914 [poor sod, just before Archduke Ferdinand was shot].

Not much to go on I know.

Adrian.

[Bill749]

Hi Adrian

Can't see him in the Medal Roll Index - perhaps he was in the Navy?  It might also indicate that he didn't see service in a theatre of war (served in the UK).

I'm sure you are aware that around 60% of WW1 service records were badly damaged by fire in 1940 - they are gradually being conserved and put on-line.

Bill

[liverpool annie]

Hi Adrian !

Do you have an photos of him in uniform ? or do you have any family stories ?

I can't see a card either .... for Charles William or William Charles .... but I'm wondering if he went by another name perhaps ??

Annie 

[aghadowey]

If he was gassed it sound like he would have served overseas (somewhere like France, Germany, etc.). May be surname is mistranscribbed on Medal cards.
Is he listed on local War Memorial (need to check where he was born and where he lived at time of enlistment as well as wherever his wife was from)? What about schools or churches he attended (they often have WWI Roll of Honours that sometimes list regiments, rank, etc.)?

[liverpool annie]

I thought it sounded like he came home aghadowey !! .....

though here are some Hemmens who didn't .... are any of these soldiers yours Adrian ??

HEMMENS, ERNEST FRED
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Somerset Light Infantry
Unit Text: "A" Coy. 7th Bn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 22/06/1918
Service No: 11239
Additional information:
Son of Mrs. Matilda Hemmens, of 13, Kensal Rd., Victoria Park, Bristol.
Casualty Type:
Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:
VIII. D. 12.
Cemetery: COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY


HEMMENS J A
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 06/12/1917
Service No: 34209
Casualty Type:
Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:
V. H. 1.
Cemetery: GOUZEAUCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY

HEMMENS, WILLIAM HENRY
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Hampshire Regiment
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 19131
Additional information:
Son of Thomas George Hemmens, of 6, Nightingale Terrace, Station Rd., Swanwick; husband of Margaret Hemmens, of 3, Lingfield Court, North St., Gosport, Hants.
Casualty Type:
Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:
Pier and Face 7 C and 7 B.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

HEMMENS, HERBERT WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Coldstream Guards
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 04/11/1918
Service No: 20608
Additional information:
Son of William and Lucy Hemmens, of High Grove, Blagdon, Bristol.
Casualty Type:
Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:
G. 8.
Cemetery: VILLERS-POL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Annie 

[aghadowey]

I thought it sounded like he came home aghadowey !! .....

Yes, but many War Memorials and Roll of Honours (especially ones in churches) list those who died and those who served, sometimes mentioning wounded, POW, etc.
Often the local newspapers have articles with news of soldiers and their relatives (sometimes a separate column for this and sometimes scattered throughout the paper). However, it does take time to search through each issue of the newspaper in hope of finding anything.

[liverpool annie]

You're right aghadowey !! I found that with my Honour Roll too !!

[mmm45]

Cant find him in RN NA archives but these lads are from same place and same surname could be related??
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=last_name%3dhemmens&catid=15&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

Ady

[aghadowey]

Look at the dates- possibly a generation earlier than Charles William?