James Gradon

[mr luvpants]

Hi all. I am trying to locate a great great uncle. James Gradon b.1887 in Clerkenwell to Robert William Gradon and Harriet Louise Gradon (nee Pennicott). James is listed in the 1911 census as being a soldier but I cant find no record of him after this. No war records, death or marriage. There was talk in my family of someone deserting and I wondered if it was him. Any help in locating James or pointing me in the right direction would be great. Many thanks. JOHN

[karenlee]

Hi

James has been listed as GRAYDON for his service record as per FindMyPast website.  Last page of this record lists father as Robert, mother as Harriett, older brother as Robert and sister as Harriett WHITE. 

17th Sept 1906 he joined the 5th Rifle Brigade ( Prince Consort's Own ) as a Rifleman

11th Jan 1909 the Northampton Regiment as same rank.

The British Army Medal Records show a card for a James GRAYSON who was with the 1st Northants Reg and then the Labour Corp whose medals were returned as he had Deserted.  Not sure if this is your James though...



Cheers
Karenlee

[mr luvpants]

hi and thanks for that. Are you able to give me a bit more info please as I have full access to Anc&&&stry.co.uk and I cant seem to find that listing?

JOHN

[PrueM]

You should be able to find him, John - I'm looking at a medal card right now on Ancestry.co.uk.  It states "Deserted", so your family history may be correct (if this is the right guy) 

[mr luvpants]

I found that but wanted the service record. Got it now so thanks  everyone for their help.

JOHN

[Stebie9173]

At the time of the 1911 Census the 1st Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment had just arrived back in the UK (arrived 15 March 1911)  from their posting in India (which for the last year had included most of the battalion being station in Aden).

Most of the men were sent on an immediate six weeks Furlough which meant most of the men were shown on the 1911 Census as on Furlough (as it indeed actually shows on the Census for James Gradon).


After returning from Furlough the men returned to Raglan Barracks at Devonport to served with the battalion. The battalion later moved to Blackdown at Aldershot in October 1913.



The Times of 6-2-1915 reports 8365 Private J Graydon as "Wounded" - this would probably equate to a wounding in the later weeks of November 1914.



Assuming a standard seven years of active service, James Graydon would have been transferred to the Reserve in September 1913 to be recalled at the outbreak of war in August 1914. His date of embarking to France is consistent with him being an older recalled reservist.



Steve.

[mr luvpants]

Thanks for all your replys.

JOHN