Absence of records

[Foxglove]

My Great-Grandfather William Francis Young (b.22.7.1881) is supposed to have enlisted with his brother-in-law. The latter's records showing that he was in the 8th Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment are online. As is the image of his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial. But nothing at all is showing anywhere for my gt-gf. I've checked everything I can on Ancestry and Findmypast.

He was an iron-worker by trade and the family's understanding was that he was involved in the repair of equipment on the battlefield. We are trying to find out if anyone in the family has the only known photograph of him in uniform which might have helped. But until we do I am completely in the dark.

Can anyone help me please?

Marian

 

[p.risboy]

Around 60% of Army records were destroyed by fire, during WW2 air raids. The chances of finding them are not good.
Photo's were rarely, or never included in those records.

Have you tried finding out about his brother in law. That may lead to some clues.

Steve.

 

[Foxglove]

I had no idea that that quantity of records went up in flames. I knew some had.

I've searched as far as I can for the brother-in-law and found medal cards, death record, and soldiers effects. What I didn't find was the enlistment form. Sadly there are no relatives to ask as he only left a widow. No children.

I shall have to hope that photo has been kept by a cousin. Will have to track them all down now as well!

Marian

 

[p.risboy]

Try these links. There is some information of whereabouts in WW1. The Glosters may have war diaries, so it may well be worth contacting them.

http://www.glosters.org/

http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/battalion.php?pid=6182

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloucestershire_Regiment#First_World_War


Steve.

 

[Foxglove]

Thanks for those links Steve. I haven't found either of the men yet. If nothing else I shall have a far better understanding of what my ancestor went through.

I've found a relative who thinks they know who may have the photo of him in uniform. Of course it may not have anything as useful as a visible regimental badge. We shall see.

Marian

 

[p.risboy]

Have you applied for his WW1 death cert. This may give you more information.

Steve.

 

[p.risboy]

This is strange. I can't find him in the CWGC. Are you sure he died in WW1.

Were his parents William & Alice Young.......lived in Bristol.

Steve.

 

[horse]

If I have the correct brother-in-law, Edward.. have found his WW1 entries, but nothing at all for William F.

Found a couple of public trees, they don't indicate anything for WW1 for either of them.

Did William Francis die 1967 Bristol?

Geoff

EDIT: As Steve says, maybe William's papers were destroyed..

 

[horse]

Looks as though Edward d, 1917..

Still not seeing anything for William F.

May be worth trying to get info from the absent voter's list for 1918, though they don't appear to be online for Bristol.

Geoff

 

[Foxglove]

You've got the right William Francis Young. He died in 1967.

Just have no details whatsoever about his war record. No pension record, medals or anything at all.

I'd never heard of the absent voters list. Definitely one to find. Thanks.

Marian

 

[p.risboy]

He would not be on any War memorial if he never died in WW1.

In the 1939 Register(FMP), there is a William F Young, b1881. +Amy E Young, in the same household in Bristol.

1911 census has him as an Iron Moulder, married 7 years, and mother and family living in the same household.

He possibly never served in WW1, given the fact he would have been 33 at the outbreak of War, and his trade/job may have been protected for the War effort.

I think the family story isn't what it shoud be. But you would know best on that score.


Steve.

 

[horse]

Just looking again at some of the info.. The 1939 that Steve found has William F as an ARP Warden.. The image says Iron Moulder and ARP Warden, Bristol. Unsure if significant but worth noting.

Geoff