Where do you start researching war records?

[Davidjnr]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to trace the war records of my Great Grandfather and Great Great Uncle of whom I have photo's of them dressed in military uniform. See attached :-)

I am asking for anyone's direction on where to find their war records as no within in the family  knows where they were stationed or whether they were conscripted into the Great War or the 2nd World War.

Joseph my Great Grandfather was born in Manchester in 1900 Gorton, Lancashire, England and Albert in 1895 in Newton Heath, Lancashire, England. They appear with their brother John Henry and the rest of the family on the 1911 census at 38 Briscoe Lane Newton Heath Manchester. Source Citation: Class: RG14; Piece: 24275.

How can I confirm they were in the military? I expect they were in the Cheshire regiments as they were born and lived in Manchester most of their lives.

Dave

[groom]

Hi

Ancestry has quite a few military records including WW1. Find My Past has Armed forces & conflict records. Both of these are subscription sites, but often have 14 days free trial.

What were their surnames?

[Davidjnr]

Robinson :-)

I have a paid subscription to Ancestry and get easily lost...

[groom]

Hopefully someone on here will be able to identify their regiments from your photo as that will narrow your search.

[Davidjnr]

Fingers crossed :-) Thank you. Can anyone help identify the regiments? War records?

[jds1949]

A good place to start your research is here:

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

where you will find some excellent basic information and pointers.

jds1949

[mmm45]

Both are World war1 the cap badges are difficult to identify however the lad on the left appears to be with a Scots Regiment
Don't be misled by thinking they would join a local regiment....after 1916 conscription came in then they would go where needed.
Only 30% of service records survived the Blitz and are on ancestry.

Ady

[ainslie]

Even before conscription men joined any regiment which would take them, especially in the rush to join up in the early months.

[Davidjnr]

That's brilliant. My Great Great uncle Albert Robinson is the gentleman on the left, my Great Grandfather Joesph is on the right.

David