Rifle Brigade 8th London Regiment

[AnneMM]

Trying to track a relative who it is claimed served in First World war and received a injury to his stomach.
Name Walter Jackson Ellams. born Dec 1891. He lived in Battersea London married Emily Jane Picken in 1914 then signed up.
I found record of a medal for a Walter Ellams in Rifle Brigade, 8th London Regiment Regiment No: s/17956 376960. Can't find a service record to confirm this is him.
Can anyone give me tips as to where to look. I've trawled the ancestor.co.uk site to no avail.
Thank you

[jds1949]

If your man and his wife had any children during the war years then the birth certificate may well record the man's regiment and service number. If you can get access to the local papers of the period then they mat well carry details - most local papers recorded some information on men who enlisted, particularly in the early years of the war, as well as news from the front concerning local men and details of wounded and killed. Most good local libraries should hold back copies of the papers; some may hold other records as well, so it's always worth contacting them.

jds1949

[AnneMM]

Thank you for your advice.

[DeeBoneham]

Unfortunately you may find that your mans service record is amongst the 70-75% that were destroyed during the blitz in WW2... Real shame that is...Mind you his might be one that is 1805 to 1807 in the 1913 to 1918 service records because its so burnt you cant tell!