2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers

[Genie24]

I have been looking at the Britain, Absent Voters List 1818-1921 which Find My Past have just released. I found an entry for  John Patterson in the Washington, Durham set which I think may possibly be my grandfather but my mother has no recollection of him serving in the army. Her parents separated when she was very young so hardly knew him. My grandfather's full name was John William Patterson born 1900 but this person is recorded as just John living at 8 Model Dwellings, Washington - Private 1818 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers. Now my grandmother told me that she lived in Model Dwellings after her marriage and if my memory serves me correctly at number 8 so I think this John Patterson is definitely connected. The puzzling thing is, he was living at 26 Station Road on the 1911 census and gives the same address on his marriage certificate. He may have given the address of a relative. Just two doors away another absent voter was George Fenwick. Fenwick is a family name and my great, grandfather - John William's father was Joseph Fenwick Patterson.
George Fenwick lived at 10 Model Dwellings - Private 69392 R.A.M.C. The weird thing is I can't find any military records for either of them. I have checked Ancestry, Find My Past and Forces War Records. Hoping someone can help.

[ScouseBoy]

Did they all survive the war?

[Genie24]

Thanks for reply. If this John Patterson is my grandfather then yes he did survive. He died around 1978 I have been told. He went on to Join the Merchant Navy and again I can find no records for him. I was hopeful when I saw him on the absent voters list as he would have been between 18-21 at the time and he definitely lived at Model Dwellings after his marriage in 1925. If it is a relative, then he may have died but I have researched this family well and I can't find another John Patterson of the right age.
George Fenwick I am still looking into. I have found census records for him but no military records which would probably have his death.

[ScouseBoy]

Do the absent voters lists give the other address were the ballot paper was to be sent to?

[Genie24]

Unfortunately not just those addresses under the heading qualifying premises.

I should have added that I found an Attestation record into the Durham Light Infantry dated 1915 for a George Fenwick aged 29 years 10 months which would give him a date of birth around 1885. At that time he was living at 7 Holyoake Terrace, Washington Station. His sister Mary Foster  is named as next of kin. Going back to 1911 he was living at 24 Front Street, New Washington with his sister Mary Foster. His place of birth is Wardley, Heworth.
It is mainly John Patterson I am interested in though.

[LJReb123]

Evening,

not wanting to muddy the waters. RIF No 1818 would relate to a person joining mid 1885. Obviously a pre war regular. Therefore I think it is not your grandfather. (A great Uncle perhaps??). A medal index card does exist for him (1818) with a later transfer to the Labour Corps.

A 1900 dob does make it very unlikely that your grandfather would have served but not impossible...

Also, obviously the RIF was an Irish regiment recruiting mainly around Armagh and neighbouring counties..was there a family connection to Ireland?

Hope this helps,

regards,

David

[Genie24]

Hi Thanks for that. No it does not muddy the waters but helps me to eliminate possibilties. I know very little regarding military matters so appreciate any input from those that do. I did find a website today  that explained the timescale of regimental numbers so realised that the person could possibly be much older. I am not sure about the Irish connection. This could all be a red herring.coincidence with the John Patterson living at 8 Model Dwellings being completely unrelated to my grandparents.
I have been looking at George Fenwick an there are two coming up on records but both originating from the Lamesley and Pelton areas where the Pattersons originated from. A lot of work there.
I operate on a system of 'leave no stone unturned'.

[km1971]

Muddying the waters even more...the voting age for a man was 21, so it cannot be a man born in 1900.

This medal card on the NA site also suggests he was older, as he was a Sergeant at the Armistice - http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D4550414 - and that he had been transferred to the Labour Corps. There are members on the Great War Forum who can tell you when his LC number was issued. Also, if the G prefix means a Regular. It did in some regiments, but it was not universal.

The RIF were disbanded in 1922. The MOD may have his record if he served after 1921. The medal index card should be on Ancestry - and in colour.

Ken

[Genie24]

That's brilliant! I have now found two records on Ancestry - UK, WW1 Service and Award Rolls 1914-1920 and British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index cards listed as 2GN R.I.Fus G/1818 which confirms he was a serjeant. This meant I didn't have to pay to view the record with The National Archives. They have hed more than enough money from me over the years. I paid a fortune for my paternal grandad's RAF record only to find that Find My Past released it a short time after.
Unfortunately none of the records give any detail. I am really hoping to try and find a date of birth so I can try to identify him. I have one possibility in my family tree John Joseph Patterson born 1862 a great uncle of my grandad.
Forces War Records are showing a few records but I am unable to view them. I have had a ssubscription before but don't really want to subscribe again.