WW1 action

[Rachl123]

My great grandfather fought in WW1, enlisted from Nelson Lancashire in 1916, and was originally a member of the East Yorkshire regiment, but when he was discharged (from Queen Marys convalescent hospital in 1919) it was from 2nd Durham Light Infantry.  I have his discharge papers and have seen his medals, but know nothing else as he never spoke about it - not even how he was injured.

Does anyone know if there is any way of finding when and where he fought, why he changed battalion and when and where he was injured?  I have tried searching online for his record but without luck.

Many thanks in advance of any help offered
Rachel

[Plummiegirl]

Most of the WW1 records (up to 75-80%) were lost thanks to the Luftwaffe in WW2.

But even if you did find the records for you ancestor all you would have would be his basic serice records & vitally his regiment and army number, but very little else.  Some lucky people have a lot more.

What you will not get is where he served or what battles he may have fought in.

These records are kept in the Regimental Diaries, which can be kept in 3 places:
The National Archives, Kew
The Imperial War Museum
& Regimental Museums.

[Rachl123]

Thanks for the tips - I've just actually had a reply Durham Records Office stating that the service record is unavailable but they have the regimental diaries, and also recommending a book written about the battalion he served in during ww1. 

[jds1949]

The war diary for the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry is available as a download from the National Archives -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=8199331&queryType=1&resultcount=8

Click on "add to shopping" and follow the instructions - it will cost you £3.50

It is almost certain that your man will NOT be mentioned by name - but if/when you find out when he was injured you will be able to see where his Battalion were fighting.

If you have access to the central library of the area your man came from then you may well find that they hold copies of the local papers from the Great War. It's worth trawling through them as local papers often carried details of local men wounded in action.

jds1949

[Rachl123]

Thank you - I shall certainly try those.

[mmm45]

http://www.east-yorkshire-regiment.co.uk/

You may find this site helpful

Ady

[candleflame]

http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm

The long long trail web site is also very useful.