Soldier's Wills New Online service

[John Orchard]

I have an AB64 but it is obviously a later edition (1917) than that shown by Graham. There are only 16 pages in the whole document and pages 15 and 16 deal with the legal niceties of the short form of will, with the space provided. The emphasis was placed, though, on the use of one of the official forms for the writing of wills, especially, in this case, AFW 3297. I am dating the publication to 1917 because of the Certification of qualifications being 'as directed in A.C.I 431 of 1917', on p14.

Unfortunately for me, because the only paybook in my possession was issued in October 1918, it may have been either rushed, or, perhaps because of doubt over his ability to go overseas again, regarded as less important to fill in any but the most basic details including his name, rank, number, pay, civilian occupation and religious affiliation.

[Graham Stewart]

I have an AB64 but it is obviously a later edition (1917) than that shown by Graham. There are only 16 pages in the whole document and pages 15 and 16 deal with the legal niceties of the short form of will, with the space provided. The emphasis was placed, though, on the use of one of the official forms for the writing of wills, especially, in this case, AFW 3297. I am dating the publication to 1917 because of the Certification of qualifications being 'as directed in A.C.I 431 of 1917', on p14.

Unfortunately for me, because the only paybook in my possession was issued in October 1918, it may have been either rushed, or, perhaps because of doubt over his ability to go overseas again, regarded as less important to fill in any but the most basic details including his name, rank, number, pay, civilian occupation and religious affiliation.

I actually think mine is later - 1919(?). It was in one of my boxes that's full of Small Books/AB 64's and I just copied it without checking the others.

[David Tattersfield]

I hope the article detailed below may be of some interest to anyone interested in the Soldiers Wills service provided by HMCTS

http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/great-war-people/research-family-story/3306-wills-of-english-soldiers-killed-in-the-great-war.html?utm_source=The+Western+Front+Association+eNewsletter+%28all+members%29&utm_campaign=b5f26c9b60-WFA_Members_eNewsletter_July_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_313ed9e469-b5f26c9b60-299919953

David

[Kath]

Thank you, David.

A very helpful article.

Kath.

[SFayers]

Thanks for posting the link David; some very useful insights there.

All the best

Steve

[Muerrisch]

many army forms, booklets and manuals have a not-very-obvious printer's date of origin somewhere ........... worth a look at footers, for example, if trying to date an edition.

[neverforget]

Just to say that I`ve just received my great uncle`s will, and that it took about two days to come through.

One thing though; it went straight into my junkmail box, so watch out for that one!

In my case, it was well worth the six quid just to see a sample of his handwriting. It`s actually the most tangible and personal link that I have to him really.