Advice finding records

[cnerys]

I have recently discovered that my ggrandfather's brother was killed during WW1, however the source of this information is not totally reliable. I have traced this person or who I believe it to be through the CWGC site and it named his father as who I expected it to be. His name is on a war Memorial in the town that he was born. My problem is how can I find out that this is definitely the brother to my ggrandfather? A good few pointers on how to begin searching for this person's military history would be a good help. I found his medical card which states he joined up the year before he died in 1915but it doesn't give any other information.

Kind Regards
Nerys

[mmm45]

Nerys
There are other databases accessible to find names of casualties...if you can post a name we can have a look for you.

Ady

[aghadowey]

Quite often the local newspaper, in addition to death notice submitted by the family, published information about wounded, injuried or killed soldiers from the area.

[cnerys]

I never thought of looking in newspapers!! That will be a mission next time I go to my mam's local archives.

His name was David Williams born circa 1880 Abergele/Towyn North Wales.  Unfortunately it is quite a common name. He was the son of John and Mary Williams, Mary his mother died before 1891. He was apparently in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers 2nd Batallion.  I would like to send for any documents relating to him hence my need to find out if I am tracing the right person.

Many thanks
Best wishes
Nerys

[mmm45]

sdgw has the info you have plus he enlisted at Wrexham Number 6381 which could mean he was a pre war regular (2nd batt would be regular troops not Territorial)
KIA 25/9/15

Just looked at his Medal Index Card:
Its got him as 1st Battalion so confusion there(??)
He entered a war zone (Belgium or France) on 6-10-14 (Nerys thats not his enlistment date this is deployment date)
Therefore entitled to 1914 Star,British War and Victory Medals and also under fire before Nov 22nd 1914 therefore entitled to Clasp on 14 star.Would say this guy was a pre war or early volunteer.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=171458



"W" SURNAMES not on Ancestry online yet but will be by end of year so its either Kew or Wait a wee while to see if his docs are still with us.

Ady

[cnerys]

Hi Ady,
That's great . I appreciate any advice. I too am puzzled regarding the 1st Btn RWF as it mentions the 2nd Btn. in the CWGC.  I think I'm going to have to hold out until the W's become available on Ancestry to dig deeper into his background.
It might explain why I haven't been successful in finding any details on this person if he enlisted before the war. It's great ti find him tho'.
Unfortunately my great aunt who told me that her uncle David died in WW1 now has Senior Dementia and can't recall anything about anyone.

Many thanks
Kind Regards
Nerys

[mmm45]

1st Batt were in MALTA in Aug 1914 and returned to UK by september...They redeployed to Zeebrugge on 7/10/14 which just about fits with his deployment date on his Medal Card.

Ady

[cnerys]

Ady,
I have just received the death certificate for David Williams. It states he was 2d Battallion RWF and was aged 35 when he was killed - which ties in with my David. No other clues other than he was born in Wales on it.  I think the only other option is for me to somehow send for his records. Would that have to be done through my father as he is a great nephew to David? I am also going to contact the local Council where the War Memorial is situated to see if I can get any clues from them, probably not but worth a try. I've got the bug to find out more now.

Best wishes
Nerys

[aghadowey]

Council might not have any details regarding the War Memorial but local newspaper is probably best source to get more information.