Seeking National Archive Medal Index Card -

[Keith_history_buff]

Yes, if you go to the Lives of the First World War link earlier in the thread, it has some images of the private grave marker.

[RFT]

2 hours ago, Jrmh said:

Interesting reference to him here: 

 

https://www.ww1gravescatterick.org/ww1-1918

 

According to the above, James McWilliam a "Corporation Tram Car Conductor" was born 6th Feb 1883, Rhynnie, Aberdeenshire, and in 1911 was residing with his wife Annie at 263 Cumbernauld Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow.

 

[jonbem]

Here is death register on Ancestry

[RFT]

I very much appreciate the help and assistance of all who participated in this topic. Any supplemental info will also be greatly received.

 

Rob

[davidbohl]

Quite a meaty coroners report from the BNA

The first clip says Denistone, but It may mean Dennistoun, a suburb of Glasgow

Dave

[PRC]

12 minutes ago, RFT said:

 

According to the above, James McWilliam a "Corporation Tram Car Conductor" was born 6th Feb 1883, Rhynnie, Aberdeenshire, and in 1911 was residing with his wife Annie at 263 Cumbernauld Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow.

 

 

Interestingly - Soldiers Died in the Great War has him born West Calder, Midlothian and enlisted Glasgow.

 

Born 6th February 1883 and in civvy street by 1911 - so even if he was a Reservist at that point, he originally signed up for no more than 12 years. He would have been 18 on the 6th February 1901 so if he enlisted then he would have been time expired 6th February 1913.  Obviously if he joined up in any month after he was 19 and a half, if indeed he was a pre-war Regular rather than a Territorial, means a period when he would have been liable for mobilisation on the outbreak. But at some point in the autumn \ winter \ spring 1914/15 he could have become time expired. I suppose it's possible he could have come home but then decided to enlist in a Territorial Battalion of the Scottish Rifles and opt for overseas service. But timewise it's all a bit tight.

 

I don't suppose James and Annie conveniently had a child late 1914/ early 1915. Fathers' occupation on the Birth certificate might explain things.

 

Peter

[ss002d6252]

1 hour ago, PRC said:

But at some point in the autumn \ winter \ spring 1914/15 he could have become time expired

Some point between August 1915 and May 1916 (for allow the 1 year war time service & the MSA 1916 respectively).

 

The newspaper article suggest that he was time expired before re-enlisting

 

So died July 1918 - 2yrs 9months at the front means he went to France in October 1915.

That means if he was a pre war time soldier he would have to have been discharged by October 1915 so that would mean an original discharge (allowing for the 1 year) of no later than October 1914. This then means he enlisted on a 12 year term no later than October 1902.

 

EDIT:

If he was still serving a term by August 1914 (to have been in France then) his 12 years would have meant he enlisted no earlier than August 1902 so we can the posisbly narrow an enlistment to August 1902 - October 1902,

Craig

[kenf48]

53 minutes ago, ss002d6252 said:

So died July 1918 - 2yrs 9months at the front means he went to France in October 1915.

 

As previously stated it seems more likely he enlisted in the 2/8th October 1915. I don't think the lieutenant was an especially reliable witness.

[ss002d6252]

15 minutes ago, kenf48 said:

 

As previously stated it seems more likely he enlisted in the 2/8th October 1915. I don't think the lieutenant was an especially reliable witness.

Thanks Ken, had missed that bit of the story. It makes no real difference to my thoughts on when he could have originally enlisted -assuming that part of his story is true!

 

Craig