WWI soldier tracing.

[mtyson]

My paternal great grandfather fought in WWI. He was awarded campaign medals, and I have a photograph of him in uniform from the period.

I do not know the regiment he fought in, or where he saw service.

I have tried using the WWI search on Ancestry.co.uk, and found nothing.

One previous search found a similar name(different spelling) in an area a few miles from his known residence.

We do not know if this is/was him, or simply a similar sounding soldier.

Are there any better ways of finding out the info I need?

His name was Edward Weals, he fought in WWI, he was from the Norton/Stockton area in the North East of England.

Any help welcome.

Thank you.

 

[darkcrystal]

Hi

if you can scan the photo at 300+ dpi and then if his cap badge is visable/clear then you can post it on here and I will have a look. if you look at the link below, it shows you how to post a picture on the forum.

http://www.forum.familyhistory.uk.com/showthread.php?p=15889#post15889

 

[mtyson]

In the image that I have, he isn't wearing a cap. Sadly.

Is there a list of names linked to regiments online?

I have no idea which regiment he was in, if I can find that out, I feel that is a great start.

I have tried Ancestry again, and still no luck.

 

[pejay]

Hi there have you looked on TNA's website for info?

 

[benny1982]

Hi

Ancestry have two WW1 records. One is Service Records and the other is Pension Records. I take it you have tried both?

Unfortunately not all WW1 Service Records have survived. Some were destroyed in boming in WW2.

Ben

 

[p.risboy]

My paternal great grandfather fought in WWI. He was awarded campaign medals, and I have a photograph of him in uniform from the period.

I do not know the regiment he fought in, or where he saw service.

I have tried using the WWI search on Ancestry.co.uk, and found nothing.

One previous search found a similar name(different spelling) in an area a few miles from his known residence.

We do not know if this is/was him, or simply a similar sounding soldier.

Are there any better ways of finding out the info I need?

His name was Edward Weals, he fought in WWI, he was from the Norton/Stockton area in the North East of England.

Any help welcome.

Thank you.

Hi MT, Do you have his age, or any other details.

Steve.

 

[mtyson]

Hi,

He was born around 1898 in Stockton, this much I have found from 1901 census results.

As said, the only record that keeps cropping up with reference the regiment, is 'Yorks Reg.'

It was quite a big reg., divided into many groups as I understand it.

Really wish I knew how to narrow it down further than I have.

Any more help or guidance?

 

[p.risboy]

Hi,

He was born around 1898 in Stockton, this much I have found from 1901 census results.

As said, the only record that keeps cropping up with reference the regiment, is 'Yorks Reg.'

It was quite a big reg., divided into many groups as I understand it.

Really wish I knew how to narrow it down further than I have.

Any more help or guidance?

Hi MT,
I think there was a regt. called The Yorkshire Pals, made up of friends and neighbours. If you have him on the 1901 census, check for his neighbours on the census and search the war records for them. It is a bit of a long shot, but has to be worth a go if you have exhausted other avenues.
Sorry I can't be much more help, but I will keep trying for you.

Steve.

 

[pejay]

Hi have you tried this website, It was probably note on this site, -
http://www.military-genealogy.org.uk/default.asp

 

[Beery]

If you can post all the info you have on him: photos, birth certificates etc., I'll try to get you further along. Any photo of him in uniform will potentially be a great help, as a lot can be figured out from the type of uniform, shoulder titles, divisional patches etc. Also, what medals did he win? Any info can be essential.

Note that the medal index cards on ancestry aren't quite complete - some names are still missing.

Also, try posting on the Great War Forum with all the info you have. The folks over there are experts on WW1, so if you can give them enough info they will be able to figure it out.