Major pension records

[welshsewer]

I am trying to trace the WW1 pension records for a possible family link.  He was killed in France in 1918.  I have found his war grave but can find no record of him in the WW1 pension records.  I have also found him in the 1901 census when he was a Bombardier.  When he was killed he was a major.
Would his records be in the same records as those soldiers who were Privates?  If not any suggestions where i could look please
Fingers crossed someone can help
thanks
W

[bernard_lewis]

As an officer his file will still be at Kew. Look at the National Archives site and check out officer records, WWI etc. From memory you might find him in series WO339, WO374 or PIN26. File content will vary but I've seen some very imformative info in files I have seen. Well worth checking out.

Note that the officer files are not on line (though the indexes are) - if you find your man you'll need to order a download - and pay for it!

Bernard

[forester]

If you post his name and regiment/corps, I can cross check the WO 339 and WO 374 entries against WO 338, as the TNA indexing is very basic, although they are slowly working on it.

As Bernard said, officer's records vary tremendously. I have some that are only a couple of pages and others that are well over 100.

Phil

[welshsewer]

Thank you both for your replies.
The name I am looking for is William Walter Hammond born Abt 1879(Middlesex) and died 5/5/1918 (France/Belgium) when a Major in the Royal Garrison Artillary.  I am not sure if it helps as I do not know what it means but the Commealthwealth War Graves Commission mention "comments 139H"
Also they have is name as William Walker Hammond, though on all other records I have he is down as William Walter Hammond.
Thank you very much for your help
Wendy

[forester]

Hello Wendy,

Officers Died in the Great War has him as William Walter, so CWGC is probably a mis-transcription, which is not uncommon.

He was with 139 Heavy Battery RGA

Phil

[welshsewer]

Thanks Phil
Can I ask where you were able to get this information - fairly new to all this so would be helpful for future reference
Wendy

[forester]

Well that was an easy one to find, for a change. 

His service record is held at Kew in WO 339/39733.

I've checked it against WO 338 and the long number (107033) matches: William Walter Hammond, RGA.


http://www.rootschat.com/links/0b5o/

Phil

[welshsewer]

Thanks
Just requested an estimate, hope I won't be too shocked!
Wendy

[forester]

Soldiers Died in the Great War (of which ODGW is a part) is available on Ancestry.

This may be useful from the National Probate Calendar (also on Ancestry):

William Walter Hammond of Capworth House, King Street, Southsea, Hampshire; Major in the RGA; died 5/5/18 in France or Belgium.
Administration 22nd July, London, to Charlotte Marion Hammond, widow.
Effects £266 7s 6d.

His medal index card was a pain to find. He was previously Battery Sergeant Major, 24711 in 116 Heavy Battery RGA.
It also shows an earlier address of 4 Portland Terrace, Southsea.

Phil

Hold on Wendy, I can't keep up