Our resident military expert Paul Nixon, pictured below, breaks down your military brick walls.

From Bill:

‘My granddad, Pte Isaac Mirfield 9924 3rd btn West York’s Reg’t, was discharged as medically unfit in June 1917. I would like to know what battle would he have been engaged in prior to his discharge?’

Paul says:

‘Thanks for your query; let me try and answer it. Your grandfather’s service record notes that when he enlisted on 3 September 1914 he was already a time expired soldier who had served with the West Yorkshire Regiment. He was discharged from the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion on 22 August 1917 as a result of neurasthenia (shell-shock) which was occasioned by service overseas. His service record notes that he served overseas with the 2nd Battalion between 12 December 1914 and 9 January 1915, so you can narrow down, very precisely, the actions he would have been in.

The National Archives will have the battalion war diaries and you can either go there and request these or ask a researcher to access them for you. It is unlikely that your grandfather will be mentioned by name but some war diaries - and often those written in the early stages of the war - are incredibly detailed. Also try posting a query on the Great War forum which has some very knowledgeable members.

Incidentally, while Isaac stated on his WWI attestation papers that he had formerly served with the 2nd W Yorks Regiment, he had also served with the militia prior to that. Findmypast.co.uk has four pages of his militia service record in its British Army Service Records collection which shows that he enlisted with the 3rd (Militia) Bn of the West Yorkshire Regiment on 6 April 1894 (number 3409) and served just over three months before enlisting with the regular West Yorks Regiment on 21 July 1894.

When he joined, he was given the number 4173. Assuming he joined up for 12 years in total and did not extend his service, he would have been discharged in July 1906. He certainly served with his regiment during the Boer War, disembarking in South Africa on 16 September 1901, and later receiving the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1901 and SOUTH AFRICA 1902.

As well as receiving this medal, he would later receive the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and a silver war badge as result of his neurasthenia. Hope this helps.’

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Our resident military expert Paul Nixon, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Wendy Thomas in Australia:

‘I would like to obtain the Service Record for Elijah Francis who died and was buried on 27 July 1852 in Dinapore, Bengal, India. Elijah was aged 30 and his date of birth was given as 1822. He was a Corporal in HM 29th Regiment. I would like to find out if this Elijah Francis was born in Stoke Lane (Stoke St Michael) in Somerset on 16 January 1823 and baptised in that parish on 23 February 1823. His parents, Samuel and Ann Francis, moved to Bath in around 1830.

I obtained this information about his death and the film (number 98990) hoping it may provide more identifying information, but it did not. I would appreciate any assistance you may provide.’

Paul says:

‘Hello Wendy, thanks for your query. The 29th Regiment of Foot had been in India since 1842 and would only return to England in September 1859. In the interim, as well as venturing into Burma, the regiment took part in operations now known as the 1st Sikh War (1845-46), 2nd Sikh War (1848-49) and Indian Mutiny (1857-59).

Assuming that Elijah joined the regiment as a young man, the majority of his service would have been overseas and he may well have qualified for the Sutlej Campaign Medal and the Punjab Campaign Medal. Without a surviving service record for him you’ll need to see if he’s mentioned in a regimental description book. These survive in WO25 at The National Archives in England, pieces 266-688 covering Infantry of the Line, among others.

Descriptions typically give name, rank, regiment, height, age, description (complexion, hair colour, eye colour and sometimes “visage”), county where born, parish where born, trade and former service (where applicable). Here, it’s the where born and age which will enable you to tie him in to Stoke Lane in Somerset. You can call up these National Archives files yourself or engage a researcher to do this for you. While you’re at it, also have a look at WO12, the muster books and pay lists, as you’ll be able to track his career with the 29th through these.’

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We are very proud to announce the launch of four sets of nineteenth and twentieth century military records to help enrich your family history. The records provide useful detail including attestation and leaving dates, achievements made in service and soldiers’ physical appearence. And, certainly in the case of the 1861 records, the records can fill in gaps left by the census.

The releases are the 1861 Worldwide Army Index, Royal Fusiliers Collection 1863-1905, Paddington Rifles 1860-1912 and Surrey Recuitment Registers 1908-1933.

The 1861 Worldwide Army Index (or The 1861 Worldwide Soldier Index) entailed the extraction of some 245,000 serving soldiers.

The Paddington Rifles database contains the names of over 8,600 men who served with the battalion from its inception in 1860 until its demise in 1912. It can therefore be a vital tool in providing colour to your London ancestors.

The Royal Fusiliers Collection 1863-1905 comprises the names of close to 5000 officers and men who took part in a series of British military campaigns between 1863 and 1904.

The Surrey Recruitment Registers comprises details of approximately 85,000 men who attested for service with a variety of regiments in Surrey between 1908 and 1933.

You can also have a look through all our military records.

Our military expert Paul Nixon, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Christina Harris in Essex:

‘My grandfather Albert Frederick Spicer, regiment no. 21519 was killed in France on 18 February 1917 when he was serving in the 13th Battalion of the Essex Regiment. I have been unable to find any records of him serving in the Essex regiment.

He originally enlisted at Stratford (now Greater London) Essex on 26 August 1914 in the Middlesex Regiment, service no. 2091, but after 38 days was discharged with Neurasthenia with persistent headaches, not likely to be an efficient soldier. I found nine pages of records for his time served in the Middlesex Regiment online but none for his service and death in the Essex Regiment.

I have been to The National Archives at Kew but they had no records of him serving in the Essex Regiment. I have three medals awarded to him, one of which is the military medal for bravery in the field. All are engraved with his Essex regiment number 21519. I checked the war diaries at Kew for 18 February 1917 but only the officers were named. According to the diaries they were situated at a place named Courcelette, near the village of Albert.

I also found him on the War Graves commission website. He has no known grave but was listed on the Thiepvel Memorial in France. I sent for his death certificate but it just states his army number 21519, Lance Corporal, Albert Spicer, aged 35 years, born in England, date of death 18 February 1917, place of death British Expeditionary Force, cause of death killed in action.

Where can I find further information of his time and eventual death in the Essex Regiment?’

Paul says:

Try the Great War Forum - there are Essex Regiment experts there.

You could also try local newspapers. The 13th Battalion had West Ham connections. Was he from West Ham area? Find out where he was living at the time and then go through newspapers for that area. He may also get a mention during the time he won his military medal, or certainly when it was announced. The London Gazette should have details of the date on which his military medal was gazetted but it can be a devil’s own job to search on the gazettes on-line site.’

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Our military expert Paul Nixon, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Judy Cligman:

‘I am researching Richard Edwards who was married in Hoxton, London on 25 December 1915 and whose profession was given on the marriage certificate as Gunner RFA. I suspect that he was killed in the Great War. I have found two records of soldiers of that name from London in the list of soldiers who died in the war but don’t know whether either of them could be him.

Could either of these regiments be described as RFA?

One is William Richard Edward: L/CPL enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London regiment) at the Finsbury Barracks.

The other is Richard Edwards: Regiment Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Richard Edwards’ father was given on the marriage cert as Edward Edwards Sapper RE.

I would be most grateful for any pointers you could give me on finding the military records of Richard and Edward Edwards.’

Paul says:

‘It’s unlikely to be either of the two men you mention but there appear to be three possibilities on Soldiers Died in The Great War for men of this name who died while serving with the Royal Horse and Field Artillery:

1. 78081 Gnr Richard John Edwards, R and E Neath; KiA 7 August 1916
2. 185151 Gnr Richard Edwards, R Seaham Harbour, Durham; E Sunderland; DoW 27 July 1916
3. 77935 Gnr Richard Edwards, B Preston, E Manchester; KiA 21 March 1918

B = born
R = residence
E = enlisted
DoW = died of wounds
KiA = killed in action

Of these, we can rule out no. 2 and no. 3 because the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records fathers with names other than Edward Edwards. That suggests, by default, that 78081 Richard John Edwards is your man, although I could find no trace of him on the CWGC website.

The marriage records on findmypast.co.uk, however, note that Richard Edwards (no middle name) married Elizabeth M Castleman at Hoxton in the December quarter of 1915. The absence of a middle name means we can also probably rule out Gunner Richard John Edwards as the candidate. Could it be perhaps that he didn’t die during WWI? It might also help to narrow down possibilities if you know where he was born.’

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Our military expert Paul Nixon, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Jean Perrin:

‘My father, Charles Martin, was a driver in the Royal Field Artillery. I think his regimental no. was 101046.

The medal roll shows he received the Victory Medal and British War Medal. I think it says beside these: ‘Roll - RFA/239B, Page 27719′. This is all I can find for him in the military records. I think he would have been living in London when he enlisted, somewhere around Canning Town or maybe Stepney.

He mentioned many times that he rode a horse and was involved in taking ammunition to the troops at the front. He was born in 1890 in Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire but lived in London from around 1911 onwards, and I think he enlisted near the beginning of WWI.

I would be really grateful if you could throw any more light on his enlistment or service.’

Paul says:

‘Receipt of the Victory Medal and British War Medal only shows that he didn’t arrive overseas until 1 January 1916 at the earliest, and unfortunately the corresponding medal roll for these medal is unlikely to tell you which battery he served with.

His number looks as though it dates to between August and October 1915, so that’s when he presented himself at the depot. It might be worth visiting the Great War Forum and posting a message there to see if any of the Royal Artillery experts there has information on this man. Also try contacting the Royal Artillery archive in Woolwich.’

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Our military expert Paul Nixon, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Teresa Donaghue:

‘According to my eldest sister who is now deceased, my father, Vincent Maguire, served eight years and 153 days with the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery. He enlisted on 17 November 1910. He transferred to the Army Res. on 22 February 1919 and received his army discharge on 15 November 1922 at Woolwich. He served in the Cheshire Reg.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. I looked up the citation on findmypast.co.uk which I believe is his. It states: 77441 Sig. V Maguire 28th Bty… 9th Bde. R.F.A. Altrincham (LG .3 Sept. 1919) but I don’t know what this means. My father was born 15 March 1893 in Altrincham, Cheshire. His father’s name was John Maguire, also born in Altrincham.

I know from family knowledge he served in India and France, where he was gassed with mustard gas and suffered trench foot. I cannot trace any more information as my siblings are either dead or of poor memory now. On the medal rolls it states ‘77441 28 By 9 Bde MAGUIRE V’. Under Operations it states ‘DCM’, under Vol. it states ‘1 Jan.’, under page it states ‘..19′. In another column it states ‘D162- 42′.

His brother Barry James Maguire also served in the above Reg. ‘R.H & R.F Art’. He served six years with the regulars and six years with the reserves. He enlisted in October 1907 when he was 20 years old.

If you can direct me to any relevant help with this information or can help me in any way I would be very grateful.’

Paul says:

‘I’ve found the following information for you:

Vincent Maguire: The DCM citation abbreviations are expanded as follows:

Sig: Signaller (his rank)
28th Bty: 28th Battery
9th Bde: 9th Field Artillery Brigade
Altrincham: place of birth
LG 3 Sept 1919: notification of his DCM published in the supplement to the London Gazette of 3 September 1919

The number ‘77441′ looks to date to May or June 1914 rather than 1910, but he was certainly overseas by 14 October 1914 and qualified for the 1914 Star. The 9th Brigade was a regular brigade of artillery.

Barry James Maguire: I could only find one Barry Maguire listed and that is ‘48421 Gunner (later sergeant) Barry Maguire’ who was a regular soldier who arrived overseas with the 5th Royal Field Artillery Brigade on 6 November 1914. His number suggests that he enlisted around October 1907. He also received the India General Service Medal (with Waziristan clasp) and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (in 1926). The 5th Brigade was also a regular army brigade of artillery.

Contact the Royal Artillery Museum at Woolwich (Firepower) to see if you can glean further information on either of these two men, their batteries or brigades.’

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Our military expert Paul Nixon, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Doreen Caparn in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand:

‘I am looking for a military death record and hope you can help. Here are the details:

Name: Ernest Groves
Born: ? 1879 in Preston, Dorset
Married: 1900 Devizes, Wiltshire
Spouse: Ellen (nee Tucker)
Children: Reginald Ernest Groves, born 1902 and Gladys Groves, born 1901

Ernest was known to have served in the army during World War I. He was very ill when he returned from France and was diagnosed to be suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. This eventually killed him - I don’t know the date but presumably it was before the discovery of insulin.

I am unable to find any record in civilian deaths of his demise. His widow successfully claimed his death was due to the effects of trench warfare and was awarded a pension. Would his death, therefore, be recorded in military records? If so, where would I start looking?’

Paul says:

‘If you know the regiment he served with during WWI, that will help narrow down your search results. His record may survive in the WO363 burn documents series at The National Archives but almost certainly not in WO364 which is the series for soldiers discharged to pension (but it’s still worth checking).

His record could also be in PIN 82 at TNA. This is a very small series of pension records - 183 in total - which records details of widows who received a pension in respect of their late husbands’ WWI service. Your first port of call, however, should be to determine his regiment. This will tell you his army number which should make life easier for you when it comes to tracking him down. If he died before 1921, you may find that he also has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.’

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Our resident expert Stephen Rigden, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Michael Tench in Shropshire:

‘I would like to find the military records for my Uncle James Goodfellow who served in WWII as a bulldozer driver in France and Belgium. I do not know the regiment but expect it was the Engineers. He never married and I registered his death on 24 February 1978 in Shrewsbury. He was born on 13 July 1911 in Shawbury near Wem in Shropshire.

He was my mother’s young brother and lived with us for most of his life. He would never talk about his service but we believe he was reduced to Private from Corporal while in or around Paris somewhere. How do I go about finding his service record? Where do I go and what details do I need to send for them? Thanks.’

Stephen says:

‘Thanks for your question. For army personnel who served after 1921, it is necessary to write to the Ministry of Defence archives, as the documentation is not in the public domain. The records are held in Glasgow and full application information can be found on the official MoD website. There is also a PDF file for family historians which you can download.

You will need to apply in writing, explain your kinship to the deceased serviceman, provide a copy of the death certificate and pay the statutory fee. I understand that it can take several months for a response.’

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Our resident expert Stephen Rigden, pictured below, answers your queries.

From Angela Dalby in Gillingham, Kent:

‘My ancestor by marriage, Edward Dalby, was born on 14 June 1839 in St. Mildred’s, Canterbury, Kent and he joined the Metropolitan police in 1873. His police records state that previous to this he was in the 7th Hussars for seven years and 313 days and the Kent County Constabulary for three years and 147 days. I can find a date of 5 January 1868 for him joining the local police constabulary so the seven years army record must be between 1859-1867?

The puzzle is that I can find no army records of service for him in the recently published Chelsea Pensioners records, unlike his father, another Edward Dalby. This Edward was born in Uppingham, Rutland 1766 and was in the army for 28 years. I have the full set of records for him. The family disappear from Canterbury in the 1861 census including Edward’s mother Elizabeth (born in Ireland in 1820), his brother Joseph born in St. Mildred’s in 1846 and also Edward senior.

Were the 7th Hussars based out of this country or am I looking in the wrong index lists? Any help would be much appreciated.’

Stephen says:

‘The 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars were indeed out of England during the period 1859 to 1867 – they were on active service in British India from 1858 and did not return to England until 1871. The fact that Edward Dalby, your ancestor by marriage, joined the Kent police in January 1868 suggests either that he had enlisted for seven years and that those seven years were completed while in India in or before 1867 (probably in fact a year or two before 1865), or that he had left the regiment in India early due to injury or ill-health.

In any event, the records contained within The National Archives’ series WO97 relate to servicemen who were pensioned out of the army, irrespective of whether they were serving in the British Isles or overseas. We have now completed the publication of these Chelsea Pensioner records, which cover over one million men. This record series contains the majority of surviving records for pensioned soldiers but by no means all.

As you may know, findmypast.co.uk is currently in the process of digitising the WO96 Militia service records but we are also planning to publish in 2011 some other smaller TNA datasets which relate to Chelsea Pensioners or their equivalents. It is, therefore, worth keeping an eye open for the new datasets as they are released and re-checking the website regularly.’

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