chintzy Posted 28 December , 2011 Share Posted 28 December , 2011 Hello, I am researching for my granddaughter (15). We are trying to build a picture of her absent father's family. I have managed to trace the family as far back as her great great grandfather, but can get no further. His name was William Matthew and he worked as a dock labourer in Southampton, while in the 5th Hampshire Regiment. He has two regimental numbers - 3021 and 241361. I have obtained copies of some of his records concerning medals awarded and discharge, etc, but I really need to establish i) where he was born, ii) when he was born, and iii) when he married Emily Jones. His son (also William Matthews) was born in 1917 and died in 2010. I had hoped that his army records might indicate where and when he was born. I have tried Ancestry.co.uk and other such sites to no avail, mainly because, as you can imagine, there are a lot of William Matthews!! I hope some of you might have some suggestions or that there may even be some relatives out there. Philippa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nepper Posted 28 December , 2011 Share Posted 28 December , 2011 He enlisted on 6 Feb 1915 and was discharged on 20 March 1919 as no longer physically fit for war service. He was aged 29 at date of discharge and was awarded Silver War Badge B176726. Hope this helps you with an approximate birthdate. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chintzy Posted 28 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 28 December , 2011 Thanks Nigel, how on earth did you do that? On his military documents the Silver War Badge has this series of numbers and letters attached to it SWB List C/1243/1 - does that correspond to the number you have quoted? Philippa He enlisted on 6 Feb 1915 and was discharged on 20 March 1919 as no longer physically fit for war service. He was aged 29 at date of discharge and was awarded Silver War Badge B176726. Hope this helps you with an approximate birthdate. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughdiamond Posted 28 December , 2011 Share Posted 28 December , 2011 but I really need to establish i) where he was born, ii) when he was born, and iii) when he married Emily Jones. His son (also William Matthews) was born in 1917 and died in 2010. Philippa You have the name of his spouse so searching the marriage records should turn up his Marriage certificate, a copy of which should name his parents and as such names for a census search to establish the rest. You also have the details of the birth of his Son, in Scotland a Birth cert lists the date and place of the parents Marriage, not sure if English ones do, but have you ordered either the Marriage or Birth Certs? As you know he was a "Dock Labourer in Southampton" have you checked the 1911 Southampton Census? The info you're looking for is geneological whereas this site is for help with and info on WW1 service which you seem to have details of. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chintzy Posted 28 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 28 December , 2011 Hi Sam, Yes, I realise that the information is genealogical, but I have been unable to find details of a marriage. The birth certificate of his son just had the details I mentioned before. Using this site is a long shot for those details, I know. However, my granddaughter is interested in the wars as there are soldiers on both sides of the family, her grandfather, for instance was a prisoner of war in Burma. I thought maybe his origins might have been on his enlistment sheet. Philippa Philippa You have the name of his spouse so searching the marriage records should turn up his Marriage certificate, a copy of which should name his parents and as such names for a census search to establish the rest. You also have the details of the birth of his Son, in Scotland a Birth cert lists the date and place of the parents Marriage, not sure if English ones do, but have you ordered either the Marriage or Birth Certs? As you know he was a "Dock Labourer in Southampton" have you checked the 1911 Southampton Census? The info you're looking for is geneological whereas this site is for help with and info on WW1 service which you seem to have details of. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rgp1 Posted 7 August , 2012 Share Posted 7 August , 2012 Hello, I am researching for my granddaughter (15). We are trying to build a picture of her absent father's family. I have managed to trace the family as far back as her great great grandfather, but can get no further. His name was William Matthew and he worked as a dock labourer in Southampton, while in the 5th Hampshire Regiment. He has two regimental numbers - 3021 and 241361. I have obtained copies of some of his records concerning medals awarded and discharge, etc, but I really need to establish i) where he was born, ii) when he was born, and iii) when he married Emily Jones. His son (also William Matthews) was born in 1917 and died in 2010. I had hoped that his army records might indicate where and when he was born. I have tried Ancestry.co.uk and other such sites to no avail, mainly because, as you can imagine, there are a lot of William Matthews!! I hope some of you might have some suggestions or that there may even be some relatives out there. Philippa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rgp1 Posted 7 August , 2012 Share Posted 7 August , 2012 hi my name is richard and i can confirm that william matthews is my late grandfather. he passed on 29th jan 2010. he was born on 2nd jan 1917 in the southampton area. he was indeed a prisoner of war in rangoon jail in burma, as i have photos to confirm this. please contact me on referee734@googlemail.com so we can discuss further. thanks richard porter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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