POLL: Most popular branch of the Armed Services?

[Amy K]

We all have ancestors that served with the armed forces, mostly during the 1st or 2nd World Wars.

Some of us are lucky enough to have found out that our gt-gt-gt-gt grandfather served at Waterloo, or that our gt grandfather was present at Mafeking during the Boer War.

Which branches of the armed services did your ancestors serve in?

[casalguidi]

Hi Amy

I've only just noticed this poll

If I included all branches of our trees then I could tick all the boxes so have limited it to my own direct ancestors only .............. Merchant Navy and both the army categories

Casalguidi

[jericho]

Mine have served in  both army categories and the Merchant Navy,  many of my direct  ancestors  served in both  World  Wars,  as well as a 2nd great uncle who served in the Boer War.




jericho

[kerryb]

Mine seemed to be mainly in the Army, some in the Royal Sussex Regiment who have an excellent website.

Kerry

[Gadget]

My mother's Scottish line were army - at least 8 and then there were two Air Force in WW2.
My father's Welsh/Shropshire lines were all coal miners and so were in 'protected occupations'.  I have one WW2 pilot cousin on that side who has retained his license even though he's 82!
My Dad even got kicked out of the Home Guard  He dropped his rifle at an inspection.

Gadget

[Manchester Rambler]

Mainly army - both World Wars and Crimea.  Then Royal Navy in WW2.  Great-gran was an army nurse in WW1, and another rellie is supposed to have nursed in the Crimean war with Florence Nightingale - haven't any proof on that one, though!

Rambler

[dortmund]

Mine started in 1866 Army and served in the 2nd Afghan War 1878/80 then WW1 & WW2 and my service, so for 4 direct generations a total of 75 years service.

Trevor

[Blunny]

I had 2 uncles who went through WWI, successfully. Also  7 others who perished in WWI and 1 who died in WWII all in the army. Plus myself and my brother were regulars in the 1960's. And my daughter has just gone out to Iraq with the Aux RAF. I think this must make it a tradition.
regards Peter

[ryan]

Well...my Dad and 2 of his brothers were in the Army, my Mum's brother was in the army, my Dad's Father was in the Navy, my Mum's Father was in the Army (his brother was also in the Army, and a third brother was in the Navy). Their Father & Grandfather were both in the Navy during & before WW1.

My Dad's Father's Father was a Sergeant Major in the Scots Guards at the height of his career and fought in Africa during WW2. His two older brothers were in the Army and were killed in WW1.

My Mum's Mum's Father fought in WW1 and survived being shot through the side of his face, and 3 of his sons were in the Army in WW2. His brother-in-law was in the Royal Flying Corps in WW1.

My Great-Great Grandfather William John Munson was an Acting Sergeant in the 10th Royal Hussars during the Boer War. His Father George Munson & Uncle Nathan Munson were in the East Essex Regiment.

My ancestor James Wassell was in the 40th Regiment of Foot for 24 years.

And finally, my Great Grandfather Emil Foelke was in the Luftwaffe.
Very military-orientated family, eh?

Ryan.