Divisional diaries

[jerper]

Hello,

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where to look in the Archives for the divisional diaries? I'm looking for the reason Joseph James Pearl (my grandfather) was awarded the Military Medal on Sept.1918 Whilst serving in East of Ypres.He was with the Royal Fusiliers no.13860. and with the Royal Engineers no.199060. I've been looking but got totaly lost.

thankyou.

Regards John Pearl

[Stebie9173]

Not sure how much you've checked, so:

His "Military Medal" Medal Card will give the full unit details.

Medal card of Pearl, Joseph James

Corps Regiment No Rank

Royal Engineers 199060 Sapper

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...1&resultcount=9

Ah, the medal card is not necessary as the Gazette has his unit reference:

199060; Spr. Pearl, J. J., 1st D.S. Coy. (East Ham).

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=

To find the reference to the unit War Diary at Kew you need to search on the National Archives website in the Catalogue. Type "1st and Division" in the search box plus WO95 as the Series.

Ignoring the Cavalry Division reference click to Page 2.

Click on the 1st reference to "1 division" and click "Browse from Here"

Clicking through "Next" you will find "Divisional Signal company" in Series WO95/1255 Aug 1914 - Aug 1919.

Of course, there is no guarantee he will be mentioned.

Steve.

[jerper]

Not sure how much you've checked, so:

His "Military Medal" Medal Card will give the full unit details.

Medal card of Pearl, Joseph James

Corps Regiment No Rank

Royal Engineers 199060 Sapper

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...1&resultcount=9

Ah, the medal card is not necessary as the Gazette has his unit reference:

199060; Spr. Pearl, J. J., 1st D.S. Coy. (East Ham).

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType=

To find the reference to the unit War Diary at Kew you need to search on the National Archives website in the Catalogue. Type "1st and Division" in the search box plus WO95 as the Series.

Ignoring the Cavalry Division reference click to Page 2.

Click on the 1st reference to "1 division" and click "Browse from Here"

Clicking through "Next" you will find "Divisional Signal company" in Series WO95/1255 Aug 1914 - Aug 1919.

Of course, there is no guarantee he will be mentioned.

Steve.

Thank you Steve for your time that's a great help.

regards John P.

[jerper]

Thanks for that Steve

Call me dumb but I'm blowed if I can find the series WO95/1255 on the archives listing, every other number bar those what am i doing wrong?

Cheers

John Pearl

[Stebie9173]

John,

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp

Goto this link

Type "1 Division" in top box

Leave middle box blank

Type "WO95" in bottom box.

Click Search.

You will get a list without WO95/1255 on it.

Click on WO95/1254

You get a page come up with two boxes on the right hand side. One is "Browse from here". Click on that. The page that comes up will have WO95/1255 on it.

You will need to go to Kew to review the War Diary, as it will not be online. This is just the Reference Catalogue.

It took me ages to find the 12th Divisional Signal Company War Diary for my great-uncle, and although it mentioned half the MMs (though no citations) it missed out his. Anyway, good Luck!

Steve.

[jerper]

John,

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp

Goto this link

Type "1 Division" in top box

Leave middle box blank

Type "WO95" in bottom box.

Click Search.

You gwill 1et a list without WO95/1255 on it.

Click on WO95/1254

You get a page come up with two boxes on the right hand side. One is "Browse from here". Click on that. The page that comes up will have WO95/1255 on it.

You will need to go to Kew to review the War Diary, as it will not be online. This is just the Reference Catalogue.

It took me ages to find the 12th Divisional Signal Company War Diary for my great-uncle, and although it mentioned half the MMs (though no citations) it missed out his. Anyway, good Luck!

Steve.