7th Bn.Durham Light Infantry

[Samwri1984]

Hi 

 

I am trying to find service records for my great grandfather who was in the 7th Bn.Durham Light Infantry during the first WW 

 

David Davidson

B: 1897 in Seaham 

 

Living in Sunderland at time

Time served 1915-1918

 

I've looked through service records and just cant see it.

 

Father also David Davidson deserted family in 1900 Mother Margaret Remarried a Wallace 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 

 

Samantha

[TTracer44]

Hello Samantha Do you have a service number for him, as Davidson appears to be quite a common name in the north of England, I looked for him on the Medal Rolls on Ancestry Which are free to download, and there was 110 David Davidson's, but none in the DLI, although lots of Davidson's with other first names, so I wonder did he use another name, quite often people used there second name, also have you looked on the Long Long Trail web site that will answer a 

Lot of your more simpler questions.

PS not all service records survive as the building they were stored in was bombed in WW11.

[eh657]

Cap badge does look to be that of the DLI and he is correctly named by Samantha going by birth record (born Easington District March Qtr 1897 10a 455) but he does not show up in County Durham on a quick search of 1911 census....

[Samwri1984]

5 hours ago, eh657 said:

Cap badge does look to be that of the DLI and he is correctly named by Samantha going by birth record (born Easington District March Qtr 1897 10a 455) but he does not show up in County Durham on a quick search of 1911 census....

He doesnt show on 1901 either. Cant find his mother or 2 sisters on 1901 either. Found them on 1911 but David is not living with them. 

 

My great Aunt who is still alive advised he lived with his Aunt Polly (Minnie Mahoney - Nee Johnson) as his mam had nearly all girls when she re-married Mr Wallace and his Aunt had boys so he stayed with them but he is not on the 1911 with them.

 

His uncle Robert William Mahoney B1868 (PHOTO BELOW) and cousin John Mahoney B1892 also signed up but I dont think they went into DLI as badge different on their caps.

[Samwri1984]

18 hours ago, TTracer44 said:

Hello Samantha Do you have a service number for him, as Davidson appears to be quite a common name in the north of England, I looked for him on the Medal Rolls on Ancestry Which are free to download, and there was 110 David Davidson's, but none in the DLI, although lots of Davidson's with other first names, so I wonder did he use another name, quite often people used there second name, also have you looked on the Long Long Trail web site that will answer a 

Lot of your more simpler questions.

PS not all service records survive as the building they were stored in was bombed in WW11.

 

Sorry I dont have his service number. He didnt have middle name or go by any other names that we know of. I will see if Great Aunt has anything of his military wise she is very forgetful and doesnt not let anyone near her bag of photos etc.

 

Known my luck this records will of been the ones which were destroyed

 

Thanks.

[TTracer44]

I presume the new photo is of one of the uncles as you didn't say, could confuse others coming to the thread.

[Samwri1984]

3 hours ago, TTracer44 said:

I presume the new photo is of one of the uncles as you didn't say, could confuse others coming to the thread.

Yes sorry amended to sat who is in photo

[ss002d6252]

Did the mother remarry prior to the war?  is it possible he was using his Step-fathers surname?

 

Craig

[kenf48]

It is possible he did not serve overseas with the DLI, therefore no medal entitlement shown to that regiment.  He was only eighteen when the 1/7 originally went to France and may have been held back as the Army was getting stricter by 1915 concerning under age soldiers, especially from the TF, being posted on active service overseas.

 

The 7th Bn was a Territorial unit, originally formed for Home Service, and neither the second nor third line battalions went overseas.

 

Ken

[Samwri1984]

1 hour ago, ss002d6252 said:

Did the mother remarry prior to the war?  is it possible he was using his Step-fathers surname?

 

Craig

Hiya Craig

 

I have never been able to find an actual marriage for his mam to William Wallace (dont laugh! and no he wasn't Scottish) but his mam was down as Wallace on the 1911 census with him her 2 girls from previous marriage who were now known as Wallace and their new kids.  They fibbed on the particulars of the marriage on 1911 as said they been married for 22 years but her first husband didn't leave her till 1900 so thats a lie (apparently my 2nd great-grandfather was a horrible bloke)

 

He could of used step dads surname but he never kept it as his marriage certificate had Davidson not Wallace.

[Samwri1984]

1 hour ago, kenf48 said:

It is possible he did not serve overseas with the DLI, therefore no medal entitlement shown to that regiment.  He was only eighteen when the 1/7 originally went to France and may have been held back as the Army was getting stricter by 1915 concerning under age soldiers, especially from the TF being posted on active service overseas.

 

The 7th Bn was a Territorial unit, originally formed for Home Service, and neither the second nor third line battalions went overseas.

 

Ken

Hi Ken

I never through about that! Its possible tho! He would still have sign up papers tho wouldnt he? If I cant find them its more than likely they were damaged in bombing of ww2.

 

Thanks for explaining makes more sense.