First World War - which regiment?

[northernsoul]

If someone was living in Snaith near Goole around 1913 and they went to fight in the First World War, would they have joined a particular regiment?

Anyone know the closest one to the area at the time?

Once I've found that out, where do I go from there? I can't seem to find a medal card for him on the National Archives web site.

His name was John Mellor Bower and he was born around 1888 in Mappleton, Derbyshire.

Thanks.

[casalguidi]

Could he have been known as Jack?  There is a medal card for a Jack BOWER Yorks & Lancaster regiment but there won't be any identification on the medal card to confirm if this is your man or not.

With regards to your query over which regiment, I don't think you can surmise that he would have joined the local regiment unless you have other info to suggest that he did.  A lot of men did of course but then there were an awful lot who didn't.

Are you able to search local sources ie newspapers/local archives - sometimes information on recruits and local soldiers was collected and published locally. 

The surviving WW1 soldiers records are at the National Archives in Kew, London.  See their British Army soldiers 1914-1918 leaflet in the "getting started" section.  The success rate of locating soldiers' records is not high but you could be lucky.

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[nellie d]

You might find this site helpful

www.1914-1918.net

Nellie

[northernsoul]

Thankyou, Nellie - that site makes alot clearer as to how to go about things than the national archives site.

It could be Jack, Casalguidi - I'm going to pay a visit to the National Archives next week and try my luck.

Thanks again

Nigel

[nellie d]

This site www.cwgc.org gives information on those that died in both wars. It is very useful also, but obviously not if your ancestor didn't die!
However I have found some info regarding siblings of my ancestors.

Nellie

[chrislaidler]

Nigel,

Have just tripped over this topic, while searching for 'Goole' within the site.

While doing my research on those named on Goole Cenotaph I have come across a large number (approx 300) of men who also died and who had son sort of connection to Goole. In doing this I have used numerous copies of the Goole Times to find info on all names that I find - combining this with ancestry and CWGC. Having said all that I have not come across the name of John Mellor Bower. As it is five years since you first posted I'd be interested if you managed to take it any further.

Chris