tracing solider WW1

[SimonKD]

I have become rather obessed with a member of my family I have beeb researching.  His name is Samuel Arthur White and was fighting in WW1 (and in fact died over in France).

So far I have found he was a Lance Sargent in the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment (9594), and that he was posted to the front line but was sent home after he recieved a bullet wound.  He was treated in a hospital in Edinburgh for a short while before going back to the front where he died at the age of 21 of sickness (which I have found out was pneumonia).  He is buried in france according to his war grave record but exactly where I dont know, hopefully someone can help me out.  It does say at the end of his war grave notice II. B. 9. I was wondering if this was a code that helped you find the grave perhaps?

I know he was awarded The Victory, British and 14 Star with Clasp), but now I am at a loss as to what else I can find out about him.  I was really hoping to find his picture but there doesn't seem to be anything (unless I am looking in total the wrong place), does anyone have any idea as to where I can find out more information.

[casalguidi]

Yes, that is the grave reference in St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/205239/WHITE,%20SAMUEL%20ARTHUR

Scroll down the page where it says about the cemetery and click "find out more"

You could try the local newspaper for the area he was living at the time he died (enlisted or lived previously even), they often published pictures of casualties.

Casalguidi

[SimonKD]

many thanks Casalguidi 

[jds1949]

According to "Soldiers Who Died in the Great War" Acting Lance Sergeant Samuel Arthur White 9594 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment was born in Braunton, Devon, enlisted at Exeter and died on the 18th February 1916.


His medal card has his date of entry to a theatre of war was [France] 22nd August 1914.

Look here for a quick outline of the 1st Devonshire

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

You can download the war diary of the 1st Battalion for the early part of 1916 here:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details/AssetMain?iaid=C4554730&isFullDescription=False

It will cost you about £3.50. It is highly unlikely that the diary will mention your man by name, but it will tell you where he was and what his battalion were doing when he died.

The war diary for the early part of the war has not yet been digitalised, but here is the link to find it:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C7352267

Hope that helps

jds1949