fathippy Posted 22 July , 2019 Share Posted 22 July , 2019 Hi I've just discovered this scan of a postcard sent by my great grandfather to my great grandmother I presume during Ww1. I hadn't realised he had served and am now anxious to find out all I can. I am having trouble reading his writing, sorry great grandfather, and wondered if anyone else might be able understand it better. As I said starting from scratch with this line of enquiry so any and all help gratefully received. Thanks Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fuller Posted 22 July , 2019 Share Posted 22 July , 2019 Address reads: No 943. 2nd Staffs Battery 1st / 2nd W. Midland Brigade RFA W.Midland Division (T.F.) "My only thoughts are of my dear wife and children and Mother, Bros. and Sisters" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fuller Posted 22 July , 2019 Share Posted 22 July , 2019 Nice! Simple and to the point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 22 July , 2019 Share Posted 22 July , 2019 He has a beter handwriting than me!!! Sounds like the last thoughts a man could have put to paper before going over the top… Is there a date somewhere?? other side maybe?? M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathippy Posted 22 July , 2019 Author Share Posted 22 July , 2019 Thanks for the replies. He was apparently not a sentimental man but this seems to show otherwise. Unfortunately only have this scan don't have the other side. I came across it in a groups of scans from my aunt who has now unfortunately got dementia. So can't really ask her for the card or any info. So this is all I have to work with. Walter survived the war and died in 1964. Where is the best place to look for his movements during this time? Thanks Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Posted 22 July , 2019 Share Posted 22 July , 2019 Was he from Stafford? If so, his service record survives on Ancestry (sub required): https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=GGU6920&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&indiv=1&dbid=1219&gsfn=walter&gsln=beckett&gsfn_x=NN_NIC&gsln_x=1&cp=0&new=1&rank=1&uidh=ekf&redir=false&msT=1&gss=angs-d&pcat=39&fh=4&h=186647&recoff=&ml_rpos=5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fuller Posted 22 July , 2019 Share Posted 22 July , 2019 Ancestry also have unit war diaries to follow the day to day events / ebb and flow of the unit (sub required) - other sites may also have them but I don't sub to others so cant say with any authority! 20 minutes ago, fathippy said: He was apparently not a sentimental man but this seems to show otherwise. Perhaps not as he got older but when facing something significant, who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxD Posted 22 July , 2019 Share Posted 22 July , 2019 His records shows he served throughout with 231 Brigade RFA which II North Midland Brigade became in May 1916. War diary at: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7354478 Here on Ancestry if you have a sub: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/60779/43849_2674_1-00000?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return Medal card https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=MvA5989&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&indiv=1&dbid=1262&gsfn=Walter&gsln=Beckett&cp=0&qh=Cn9ZqURosYijKbg5wn6nWQ%3D%3D&_F8007A65=943&new=1&rank=1&uidh=6x5&redir=false&gss=angs-d&pcat=39&fh=5&h=2523998&recoff=&ml_rpos=6 Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathippy Posted 23 July , 2019 Author Share Posted 23 July , 2019 Thanks Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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