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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Deserters


susan kitchen

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Morning.

Can anyone tell me please if there is such a thing as a list of names for Deserter's. Not just ones that had been caught, but for all Deserter's even ones that were never found. I'm trying to help someone so i'm probably clutching at straws.

Susan

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Hi Susan,

Afraid I cant help re any lists of deserters but your post triggered (no pun intended) a memory of mine. As a young soldier back in 1969 I was part of the Guard when what appeared to be a very ancient and scruffy individual handed himself into the Guard Commander saying he wanted to give himself up!!! He must have been late 70's early 80's then. Apparently he'd gone over the hill in 1917!!!

He was locked up for the night but unfortunately I dont know what happened after that - Admin Discharge I should imagine as I think he may have been a bit too old for Colchester!

Clearly needed to clear his slate!

Cheers,

Martin

:thumbsup:

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Morning.

Can anyone tell me please if there is such a thing as a list of names for Deserter's. Not just ones that had been caught, but for all Deserter's even ones that were never found. I'm trying to help someone so i'm probably clutching at straws.

Susan

A deserter's particulars would often be circulated locally to the press and also often appear in the Police Gazette. That was before they were apprehended of course so would include those never caught. I doubt if there is a list of them all. Hard to see what purpose it would serve. A look at your man's local paper or the Police Gazette for the relevant time, might turn something up.

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Hello Susan

If you know the man's name and unit, but not whether or not he was a deserter, you could try looking at the medal roll. This should be annotated to the effect that the BWM and Victory Medal he might have earned had been forfeited. This info should also be on the Medal Index Card but possibly not on the transcribed "cards" on the National Archives or Ancestry websites.

If he deserted at home and never served abroad he would not qualify for the BWM or VM, so that approach would not help.

Ron

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Hi

Yes there are lists of deserters in The Police Gazette.

From memory information given is No Rank Name battalion Regiment description place of desertion place of enlistement and any distinguishing marks such as tattoos.

You can see them at Colindale.

regards

John

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Thank you all. The man's name was Thomas Arthur Jones so you can imaginr the task i had trying to find him. But i'll pass on all your comments.

Thanks again.

Susan

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Hi

This is what you are looking for I tried to attach some lists with T Jones but they are too big. I couldn't find any T A Jones in the copies I have. but then again I only have a few.

regards

John

post-27843-1274469622.jpg

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