Trouble locating WW1 Service Records

[Framesmiths1816]

I have been using the A*****Y to locate the Military records for a great Uncle of mine but I cannot find them. Not sure if it is the usual name mistranscription issue or perhaps they are missing. Were any of the WW1 records lost?

His name is Sidney Thomas Mynett born Rodborough, Stroud, Gloucestershire either late 1876 or early 1877 (BMD gives Q1 1877).

1911 he was living in Monmouthshire, Wales and he still was when he joined up in 1915 I think.

From the CWGC I know he died in April 1918 at Lys (4th Ypres) Belgium and he has two regimental numbers for the Welsh Regiment and the Machine Gun Corp being 34893 and 15397 respectively

I can find his medal card and an entry in the index for WW1 deaths but no sign of his Service/Pension records (assuming his widdow might have received one for him).

Any one have any ideas?

Many thanks for all help - Mark

[Mort29]

only about 40% of non-com records survive.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=18&j=1

[Framesmiths1816]

Ah, it's not me then. It probably hasn't survived, that is a real shame.

Thanks anyway - Mark

[forester]

Mark,

Despite the appalling indexing by Ancestry, where they seem unable to put the correct service number to the corresponding regiment .......... I have been able to work out that he was part of a batch of 100 or so men, mostly transferred from infantry regiments and more or less numbered alphabetically by surname.

Unfortunately, I was only able to find one service record, that of George Fry, 15337. He transferred from the Royal Fusiliers in late January 1916, but remained on home soil throughout, in an Anti-Aircraft unit I believe.

41st Bn MGC was not formed until March 1918, but I would imagine that Sidney was serving in one of it's predecessors. The war diary for 41st Bn MGC is at Kew in WO 95/2627.

Phil

[Framesmiths1816]

Phil,

That is very kind of you to go to so much trouble, thank you.

I guess from the War diary I might find out what they were doing and where on the day of Sidney's death but probably unlikely that he would be mentioned specifically.

It is a rare event for me to go to Kew but I do go occasionally so I will make note of the diary ref' and have a look next time I am there.

Cheers - Mark

[forester]

Mark,

I've had a quick look at 41st Bn casualties at that time .

9th April 1918; 4 died of wounds
10th April 1918; 2 killed in action; Sidney and Walter Worthy
11th April 1918; 1 killed in action

Following Bapaume and Arras, at the end of March, I can't see 41st Division being involved in any major offensive until the Advance in Flanders in August.

Phil

[Framesmiths1816]

Hi Phil,

I wonder where the Lys/4th Ypres info came from then. Does it relate to the date 10th April 1918? What was the deffinition of "Killed in Action"?

I guess people died daily for many reasons, shelling, gas even accidents I suppose. Maybe the diary might have some clues, fingers crossed.

You must have access to a library of additional information by the sounds of it.

Thank you - Mark

Added - I am sure I have seen something that said he died at Lys. I think I made the connection to 10th April and the 4th Ypres also Known as 3rd Flanders http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Lys_(1918)
I cannot think where the reference was though, I thought it was the CWGC but I cannot see it now. Odd.

[barryd]

More of a reference as to his residence/occupation in 1901. Sidney Thomas Mynett appointed Postman, Newport, Monmouthshire [England]. London Gazette, 29 October 1901, page 6988.

[Framesmiths1816]

Thanks for that, not seen that ref' before. It would be right though. Both Sid and his brother were Postmen in the Nailsworth/Rodborough area near Stroud according to family verbal tradition and 1901 census. This gives us the evidense for when he first moved to Monmouthshire.

Thanks - Mark