A needle in a haystack and a simpler challenge

[Buck Rogers]

Hello all, new to the forum so thanks for having me!

I'm doing some research for a friend who wishes to research a relative. Here's the hard part: all I know is that he was called John James Doherty from Convoy in Co. Donegal, Rep. of Ireland. He served in the Boer War and First World War - he survived the First World War too.

That's it. Tough challenge with no regiment or service number. I assume it was the second Boer War seeing as he served in WW1 too.

Another question for you all. My great uncle was killed in 1915. He was called Michael Joseph Colclough and was a Lance Corporal in the Irish Guards. (2nd Bn). His number was 6908.

Thanks for reading everyone, I appreciate it.

Brian

[IPT]

Welcome.

Had you come across this mention of your great-uncle? - http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1916/jan/10/2nd-battalion-irish-guards-lance

[Buck Rogers]

Hi IPT,

Yeah, I caught that. It's a nice piece of information. From what I've heard he was wounded and lay in a shell hole for a few days. He died of his wounds on the ambulance train. I would love to do an Irish guards display for him (I collect British cap badges and items) but I can't get my hands on his medals (a relative in England has them)

[Buck Rogers]

Also, locating a photograph of him would be amazing. Would a photo of him be online? I assume it's more of an off-chance.

[IPT]

I expect this is Doherty on the 1911 census, former Highland Light Infantry - http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002136505/

[museumtom]

WW2 POW

First Name(s):J. J.Last Name:DohertyRank:GunnerCamp No.:4FPoW No.:252625Soldier No.:968581Record Office:Royal Artillery (Field) Record Office, Foots Cray, Sidcup, KentCamp Type:STALAGCamp Location:Hartmansdorf ChemnitzRegiment:Royal Artillery

[museumtom]

Boer War, is this him?

Name: DOHERTY, JJ Rank: Bugler Rating: 7298 Unit: 1 Volunteer Service Company The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

[ss002d6252]

Just going to post - JJ Doherty was the only man I could see with the initials J J , no John James's shown.

Craig

[Buck Rogers]

I expect this is Doherty on the 1911 census, former Highland Light Infantry - http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002136505/

That could well be promising. The son could be likely given that his occupation is given as soldier already. Given that Donegal has a sizeable Scottish connection the HLI is also likely. Thank you for your digging!

WW2 POW

First Name(s):J. J.Last Name:DohertyRank:GunnerCamp No.:4FPoW No.:252625Soldier No.:968581Record Office:Royal Artillery (Field) Record Office, Foots Cray, Sidcup, KentCamp Type:STALAGCamp Location:Hartmansdorf ChemnitzRegiment:Royal Artillery

Didn't fight in WWII as far as I know

Boer War, is this him?

Name: DOHERTY, JJ Rank: Bugler Rating: 7298 Unit: 1 Volunteer Service Company The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Also possible. It's quite hard to say as Doherty is such a common name in Donegal - think Smith in England.

Thanks for your help all.

[Buck Rogers]

Also, I've just had a look on Forces War Records and found a J Doherty serving with the Donegal Artillery as a Corporal. That's another likely route if I had access

[Buck Rogers]

my mate reckons JJ Doherty was in the HLI as the census record found above (many thanks) was correct...does that help? The census was 1911 so pre war.

[Buck Rogers]

Sorry to give this another bump but anyone have any ideas or possible leads I could follow?

Thanks!

[ss002d6252]

Sorry to give this another bump but anyone have any ideas or possible leads I could follow?

I can only see one J Doherty shown as being with the HLI in the Boer War, a corporal under number 6526.

Craig

[Buck Rogers]

I can only see one J Doherty shown as being with the HLI in the Boer War, a corporal under number 6526.

Craig

He may not have been HLI in the Boer War though...I'm out at the moment and I would be extremely grateful if someone could check the number for me. Of course, feel free to tell me that I'm asking too much of everyone and to stop being a demanding git

[Drew-1918]

Also, I've just had a look on Forces War Records and found a J Doherty serving with the Donegal Artillery as a Corporal. That's another likely route if I had access

Not sure if this question of yours is still relevant, but the J Doherty you wondered about 'Died on Duty' 31/1/1901 in Kimberley, South Africa. He was a corporal, service No. 1789. So you can discount this one, if you hadnt already.

[Buck Rogers]

Not sure if this question of yours is still relevant, but the J Doherty you wondered about 'Died on Duty' 31/1/1901 in Kimberley, South Africa. He was a corporal, service No. 1789. So you can discount this one, if you hadnt already.

Very relevant, thank you! I have a possible match on the national archives so that's one route I'm examining for the moment

[Buck Rogers]

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/namesearch/?FirstNamePlaceholderText=First%20name&FirstName=John&FirstNameIncludeSimilar=False&SurnameIncludeSimilar=False&SaveThisSearch=False&RecordDateStartYear=1700&RecordDateEndYear=2013&IncludeRecordsWithoutServiceNumber=True&DiedInActiveService=False&SurvivedActiveService=False&ReceivedGallantryAward=False&MentionedInDespatches=False&IsFBApp=False&RecordType=NotSelected&Page=0&RecordsPerPage=0&SurnameNamePlaceholderText=Surname&Surname=Doherty

Another bump!

I found this J Doherty (# 51 on the list) but I don't have access to FWR. Is it worth getting? Is there a lot of info displayed?

Sorry, it didn't seem to narrow it down. Select British Army and select survived active service on the left hand side.

[Drew-1918]

FWR is very limited and I would be careful before signing up with them. You do not generally see an original record and the information you do get is very limited.

#51 seems to be a WWII record on the link you sent?

Others on there are;

#1 John J Doherty, Pte. 9539, British Army, Queens S.Africa medal & clasp. 13th Bn. the Imperial Yeomanry (disbanded 1908)

#2 John J Doherty, Pte. 31791, British Army, Queens S.Africa medal & clasp. 2nd Bn. the Imperial Yeomanry (disbanded 1908)

#3 John J Doherty, Pte. 1607, South African Army, 3rd Bn. Railway Pioneer Rgt. Queens S.Africa medal & King's S.Africa medal

#86 J Doherty, Pte. 8.3.1917- 15 yrs penal servitude for desertion+, Highland Light Infantry 10/11 Highland Light Infantry, BWM & VM

Another two J Dohertys that were HLI but KIA, WW1

Hope this helps.

[Buck Rogers]

FWR is very limited and I would be careful before signing up with them. You do not generally see an original record and the information you do get is very limited.

#51 seems to be a WWII record on the link you sent?

Others on there are;

#1 John J Doherty, Pte. 9539, British Army, Queens S.Africa medal & clasp. 13th Bn. the Imperial Yeomanry (disbanded 1908)

#2 John J Doherty, Pte. 31791, British Army, Queens S.Africa medal & clasp. 2nd Bn. the Imperial Yeomanry (disbanded 1908)

#3 John J Doherty, Pte. 1607, South African Army, 3rd Bn. Railway Pioneer Rgt. Queens S.Africa medal & King's S.Africa medal

#86 J Doherty, Pte. 8.3.1917- 15 yrs penal servitude for desertion+, Highland Light Infantry 10/11 Highland Light Infantry, BWM & VM

Another two J Dohertys that were HLI but KIA, WW1

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply. I've had other warnings about FWR too actually so I might give them a swerve...

The record I found was from 1917 in the 10/11 HLI. I couldn't access much more than that though. I had narrowed the search to British army and survived active service.

Thanks for those other leads though, also worth looking into.

Appreciate the help.

[Drew-1918]

No problem, glad to help.

I think the record you found from 1917 may have been the desertion one above, right? I saw the same details "1917, 10/11 HLI" and when I clicked on it there was a little more info as above.

Good luck with your search.

[Buck Rogers]

No problem, glad to help.

I think the record you found from 1917 may have been the desertion one above, right? I saw the same details "1917, 10/11 HLI" and when I clicked on it there was a little more info as above.

Good luck with your search.

Dont think that's my man then so...the key to this is the army number once I get that I'll be sorted