Can anyone help

[JacobusV]

Thanks Neale1961, interested to explore my Great Grandfather Eli's Military career. You pointed out that he was in 2 other regiments, I beleive the Cameronians and the LRV?

[Neale1961]

There are various military records for Eli on Ancestry. Each one gives information about slightly different aspects of his military service, so it is important to collect and read ALL of them.

You are lucky that Eli's WW1 service records still exist. Although a little burnt around the edges, it is possible to read most of it. It contains the most useful and interesting details.

If you want to know more about where, when and how Eli lost his life in December 1914, then his battalion's war diary is a good place to start. I have had a read of it today, and it gives some detail regarding the battle at Givenchy, where the battalion suffered a huge loss (about 50% was wiped out), including the life of your ancestor.

Let me know how you get on.

[JacobusV]

Hi Neale1961

Thanks for that, I had a quick look inline and found the below:

previous service 4 yrs 3 mths with LRV and 4 years 7 mths with Ser***** Rif, then the paper is burnt

Terms of war service from 17.9.1914

posted 2.12.1914 (to the Persian Gulf Area I suspect as death papers issued 3rd Echelon, HQ Persian Gulf)

Reported Missing 1.1.1915

Regarded as having died 19.12.1914

Could the orders for Givenchy been given from the Persian Gulf at the time?

J

[Neale1961]

Yes, you have found one of several documents. It really deserves and needs more than a “quick look” to read and understand all information contained in the documents.

Thanks for that, I had a quick look inline and found the below:

previous service 4 yrs 3 mths with LRV and 4 years 7 mths with Ser***** Rif, then the paper is burnt

For example, his previous service says-
    4 yrs with 3rd LRV
    4 yrs with 7th Scottish Rifles

Could the orders for Givenchy been given from the Persian Gulf at the time?

No

[JacobusV]

Hi Neale1961

I've been trying to explore what may have happened to my Great Great Grandfather William George Webb after he deserted. There was a family rumour that he was in the royal marines, however, I found an interesting extract below:

Name: William Webb
Name Note: Crew
Sex: Male
Age: 26
Birth Date (Estimated): 1854
Occupation: AB
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 8 Nov 1880
Event Place: United Kingdom
Event Place (Original): Merchant Marine, At Sea, Great Britain
Event Place Note: This event happened while the deceased was travelling aboard a sea vessel (Name of Ship Henry Palmer)

There seems to be no record if him and it also seems he abandoned his wife an family as they turn up in Bridgeton Glasgow in the 1890's a a dispirate family, with both Eli and George in the army and Ellen MaWhinney alone bar a lodger. The Eli turns up as a barber in Bridgeton.

J

[JacobusV]

I've searched online for a vessel called "Henry Palmer" but come up with nothing so far.

J

[AlanBoyd]

There are many shipping-related hits in newspapers for the vessel Henry Palmer. For example:

Lloyd's List 24th November 1879

HOLYHEAD
Henry Palmer arrived from Quebec for Isle of Man

Added: another item refers to her as “barque, of Maryport”

[JacobusV]

I read the information on the "Henry Palmer". It seems it was lost due to an accident at sea 8th November 1880, same day William Webb died.

J

[Neale1961]

Your William George Webb was born late 1851 or early 1852 (Have you got his birth certificate to verify d.o.b. yet?)
He was with the 6th Regiment of Foot – you have primary source confirmation of this fact.


There were 7 crew members lost with the ship “Henry Palmer”. One was William Webb an able seaman with the Merchant Marine. William Webb is a common name.

The Merchant Marine is not the Royal Marine.