James Bernes, Service # 17547, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment) 12th Battalion

[Jeffrey Williams]

Greetings!  I am researching my Great Uncle, James Bernes.  

 

A cousin has reported that he was killed in a battle of the Somme; however, I am not so sure.

He is listed as Killed in Action on 17 August 2017.  His body was reportedly, never recovered.

I have found that he is memorialized at the TYNE COT MEMORIAL (Panel 31 to 34 and 162 and 162A and 163A. WW I).

 

It would appear to me that he was more likely killed in action during the 3rd Battle of Ypres - The Battle of Langemarck (Passendaele), though

that battle took place on 16/08/1917.

 

I have no other information about him or know what other Battle he might have been killed in.  

 

If anyone comes across any information, or has any recommendations as to how I may learn more about my Great Uncle or his service, I would be

greatly appreciative.

 

I may be reached at my private email as well, at:             Army.Bagpiper@gmail.com

 

Thank you very much in advance for your time and thoughts!

 

Kind regards,

Jeff

[George Rayner]

Welcome to the forum!

A quick look picked this up...

First Name: J R

Surname: Bernes

 Incident Details: War Office Daily List No. 5367

Incident Date: 18/09/1917

More Information: Entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming in this list.

Rank: Lance Corporal

Service Number: 17547

I am not very good at this and find lots of red herring but seems a problem

George

[Jeffrey Williams]

Hello George!  Thank you, very kind of you!  

 

That is more information than I had, so thank you, very much!

 

All the best,

jeff

[jay dubaya]

Welcome to the forum Jeff, you may wish to amend the date of death 

 

The following narrative is taken from the battalion war diary held at the National Archives in WO 95/2126/2 and map from the 61st Infantry Brigade's war diary (20th (Light) Division) WO 95/2124/1-5

 

 

 

 

 

[little bob]

Both Ancestry and Find my Past have service papers for James.

 

Bob

[Jeffrey Williams]

Thank you, kind Sir!  I am very grateful!

 

Kind regards,

jeff 

[clk]

Hi Jeff,

 

The war diaries for his overseas service battalions are available for download from Ancestry.co.uk (search page). Unfortunately you have to do it a page at a time. From the National Archives (search page), you get a chunk at a time. Brigade HQ and Division HQ (General Staff) diaries often augment Battalion diaries with 'extras' such as orders, reports on operations, and maps. The structure of the regiment can be seen here.

 

There is good advice on how to research a soldier here; and how to read trench map co-ordinates here.

 

Good luck with your research.

 

Regards

Chris

 

 

[Jeffrey Williams]

Chris:

 

Thank you, kind Sir!  I appreciate your help and recommendations and will follow up on this information.

 

Your help has been extremely valuable, as I did not know of this great resource!

 

I am very grateful, Thank you!

jeff