soldier can't trace records

[harryp]

Hello everyone

I am new to your forum, it is great.

I am trying to help a dear friend trace his fathers service records - they go something like this.

Henry John Povey (Harry) b 1891 in Northfleet.

Joined Northumberland Fusiliers as a drummer boy at 16 seemingly lying about his age, became cook, assumed became a soldier.

Cameronians - talked of this often but can not trace any records

Gordon Highlanders 1917-18, captured at the Battle of Monns, taken to Munster where he was in the coal mines. I have found a Private Harry Povey 24153 (9)? but am not certain it is the same person.

if anyone can help on info on any of these regiments or info on coal mines in Munster it would be fabulous.

Thank you so much

Drummer Boy

[ian turner]

Welcome to the forum.

Looks to be his medal index card at the National Archives:

Description Medal card of Povey, Harry

Corps Regiment No Rank

Gordon Highlanders 24153 Private

Date 1914-1920

Catalogue reference WO 372/16

He may have been in other regiments, but not served overseas in a theatre of war with them.

If he was captured at Mons, then that would have been in 1914, so perhaps that info is a little bit of "hearsay"?

You might like to post a question in the prisoners of war section, as maybe a pal wioth POW info might help further. You can also try loking him up on the absent voters list for 1918 for the district where he was living at the time of his service.

[harryp]

Hi Ian

Thank you for the your advice, I will follow it through, it might help me come up with something.

Drummer boy