leeanne82 Posted 27 September , 2013 Share Posted 27 September , 2013 looking for a photo of my great grandfather he died in ww1 in france he was shot died in 1916, he was a rifleman, R/505, 1st Bn., King's Royal Rifle Corp, he was born in birmingham, warwickshire, england in 1877 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 27 September , 2013 Share Posted 27 September , 2013 Hi, sorry to say your best chance for a photo would be within the family. Next best is Birmingham newspaper archives, perhaps about the time when he was killed and local history section in the library. There were only 2 killed on 5th August 1916, GGF and a John Austin. Neither man was identified and may be one of the many "Known Unto God" burials in CWGC cemeteries in the area. Soldiers Died in the Great War shows that he Died of Wounds (normally those are ones with identified graves, from the Casualty Clearing Stations, so in his case it's likely that his grave marker was lost in the subsequent fighting over the same area for the next 2 years. What might be better than a photo is that he is one of the small percentage whose Service Records still survive, albeit in a charred condition, thanks to a Luftwaffe bomb in Round Two. The writing is so faint that it can't be easily read, and I haven't time to go to Specsavers, but what I think it shows is:- He attested to join the Army on 31 August 1914, so almost as soon as War had been declared, being 37 years and 29 days old at that time giving a Date of Birth of 2 August 1877. He was in France 16 May 1916, so less than 3 months in the trenches before being killed. Entitled to British War and Victory medals. He married Agnes May Wootton on February 21st 1903, in front of Nelly Broughton (?mother) who was a witness and Agnes's father William Joseph Wootton. Also seems to show 2 or 3 children. Address was 6, Bloomfield Place, Smethwick. Eldest seems to be Ellen (Nelly) same as his mother; was born 23 May 1903; another (Edward?) born 1st August 1908 and perhaps a 3rd, but can't make anything out. He seems to have had previous service in the Manchester Regiment. You can see the records for yourself at your local library if you haven't an Ancestry subscription. EDIT: 1911 Census shows 2nd child as Emily. 1891 Census shows Nellie was his sister, not mother (Parents Alfred and Sarah) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeanne82 Posted 26 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2013 i live in australia and looked on the british news archive and nothing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 26 October , 2013 Share Posted 26 October , 2013 Leeanne A member here,Bardess,has a particular interest in Smethwick. She lives in Melbourne and researches the 14-18 dead of that fair district. You should make contact and see if she knows anything of this soldier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 26 October , 2013 Share Posted 26 October , 2013 (edited) Hi Leeanne Perhaps you already know this, Agnes May Broughton remarried in 1920 to James H Capewell (6d,280. Kings Norton, Worcestershire) She signed the receipt for his medals in 1921. The previous service referred to by Kevin is with "The Militia" and he bought himself out according to his Service Records. Regards Barry Could the word on the Record be "Warwickshire", not Manchester? Edited 27 October , 2013 by The Inspector Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 10 November , 2013 Share Posted 10 November , 2013 Hi, Leeanne et al We travelled to Melbourne ourselves, right after my post, and have just returned home. Trust you weren't anywhere near the bushfires in NSW, we were based in Melbourne with our step son but drove up to Beechworth for a lovely weekend up there. Could have had better weather, although we at least avoided the storm here at the end of October! Had a good win on the Melbourne Cup, which didn't quite pay for our flight (!!) but at least a few good bottles and LOTS of seafood!! As I mentioned, there are Army records accessible through Ancestry (and no doubt other similar providers) which you should try and access so you can see for yourself. I do hope you haven't lost heart, please do try and contact Bardess, I think you need 3 posts before being able to access the Private Message system. Let us know if we can help further, not like an Aussie to drop at the first hurdle!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeanne82 Posted 7 January , 2014 Author Share Posted 7 January , 2014 no haven't lost heart still been looking for them thanks for your info it was Manchester still no photo or medals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bardess Posted 7 January , 2014 Share Posted 7 January , 2014 Just replied to your PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeanne82 Posted 7 January , 2014 Author Share Posted 7 January , 2014 Hi Leeanne Perhaps you already know this, Agnes May Broughton remarried in 1920 to James H Capewell (6d,280. Kings Norton, Worcestershire) She signed the receipt for his medals in 1921. The previous service referred to by Kevin is with "The Militia" and he bought himself out according to his Service Records. Regards Barry Could the word on the Record be "Warwickshire", not Manchester? where did she get the medals or where can i see that info and i know she remarried james h capewell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeanne82 Posted 9 March , 2014 Author Share Posted 9 March , 2014 is anyone in the uk that could check out the info for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Inspector Posted 26 March , 2014 Share Posted 26 March , 2014 Hi Leeanne The Info. is from his Service Records available on Ancestry. She signed the receipts for the British War Medal and Victory Medal on the 8th March 1921 and the 31st May 1921. Pages 3 and 4 of the records (17 in total). Sent to next of kin. No address given Regards Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeanne82 Posted 4 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 4 April , 2014 ok i have worked out it says warwickshire he was 18 when he first joined the army he signed up 13th august 1894, the recruiting officer was someone j kelly i have seen his service record i have not seen that could you post the link to it please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeanne82 Posted 4 April , 2014 Author Share Posted 4 April , 2014 i found all 17 thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeanne82 Posted 23 April , 2015 Author Share Posted 23 April , 2015 still nothing but his service records have got copies of his medals hoping to go to the 100 years of ww1 ending in 2018 and searching when i go to the uk if anyone finds anything else please let me know thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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