How can I find where my granfather was in ww1

[jazzman97]

Total beginner at this, looking for any information to locate William Ashwood in WW1, born in Scotland 1897 and lived in Glasgow although he may have lied about his age to join up.

I can find his cousin (same name) and records of his death, I am taking my uncle to France to visit the war graves and would like to visit correct area.

Have no idea  what I am doing, I know he was definitely there but with which regiment I have no idea.

Hope someone can guide me.

[DavidGreenall110]

Jazzman,

I've had a quick look for a William Ashwood and there are at least 9 however, 2 served in the same Regiment The Kings Own Scottish Borderers. You say you have the information on his Cousin of the same name, was he in the KOSB?

This seems the most likely at this stage, do you have any further information on him or know the whereabouts of his medals? They'll have his service number stamped on them.

David

[jazzman97]

Hi David,

Thanks for that I agree that does seem to be the most likely, unfortunately I have nothing with a number or any information on it.
I know he was shot and evacuated back to Longleat house (there was definitely a bullet wound in his shoulder)

I have managed to find several medal campaign "books" on line but can't tie any of them up to him as I have nothing to go on, taking my Uncle to France during half term to hopefully visit area where "Pops" fought, he was definitely in the K.O.S.B during the 2nd world war do you think this would mean he was most likely in the same regiment during the first?

Apologies for being so dim, I just wished I'd asked pops when he was alive but he never really discussed much about the war.

Thanks
Jazzman

[DavidGreenall110]

The shoulder wound is a clue, I've checked the Silver War Badge roll for that William and he's listed as being discharged in 5th Feb 1919 after being wounded and now unfit for military service. Funnily enough it gives his age in 1919 as 21 but he joined up on 21st Oct 1914 meaning that at only 16 he lied about his age!!!!

The details are:

Name:    William Ashwood
Discharge Unit:    K. O. S. Brs.
Regiment Number:    40803
Rank:    L/Cpl
Badge Number:    B202558
Unit:    Infantry (Hamilton)

David

[jazzman97]

Hi David,

Thank you so much for your help,

I have sent off the details to the Kins Own Museum in Berwick on Tweed with the hope that they can use the information to tell me the area where Pops fought so that we can head to the correct place.

Thank you once again, I could not have sorted this out without your input.

Jazzman

[mmm45]

http://www.sonsofgalloway.org.uk/

Excellent KOSB site

Ady

[Joyceedev]

Hi

My grandfather was William Ashwood who serve in WW1 in the KOSB's born Glasgow 1897. He served in France and was a L/cpl. He left my grandmother after their 2 son's died, my line is via his daughter Florence. He went back to live in Berwick. Where he went on to have another family. My grandfather had a bad shoulder,
William Ashwoood who regimental number was 17533 was reported missing presumed dead on 25/9/1916. France. He was a KOSB.
L/Cpl William Ashwood 40803 was awarded the Victory Medal and the British war medal also having served in 1914-1915 he would have received the star.

My Grandfather was known to have changed his date of birth a few times.

would love to hear from you.

[newburychap]

As he appears to have spent all his time at the front with the 2nd KOSB you should be able to get an idea of what he was involved in by reading their war diary for the period he was with them: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7352244

On 25 Sep 1916 the battalion was in an attack on Morval in which they suffered 165 casualties, 28 of whom were 'missing' - presumably William was among those.  The war diary entry is a page and a half - not bad, but it might be worth checking the diary of the other unit involved (1st Devonshires) which might have more detail (you sometimes find copy orders, maps etc).  I don't have that diary so I can't check for you.

[km1971]

Are you suggesting that the two Williams are the same person? Ancestry have indexed 40803's  regiment as KOYLI even though the card says KOSB.

Each card gives separate awards for the BWM and VM which is not possible. Also how do you know 40803 qualified for the 1914-15 Star?

Ken