Guest Johnson Posted 10 October , 2006 Share Posted 10 October , 2006 As part of my genealogy studies I am trying to locate the service records of an ancestor whom I know for certain deserted from the British Army in WW1. Despite having to hand his regiment and regiment number he doesn't appear in the Medal Cards Listings nor any other larmy istings that I can find. Can anyone confirm for sure that if you are classed as a deserter or missing in action, that you no longer qualify for a medal - and does anyone know what happens to the records of a MIA or deserter? Thanks and kind regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max (UK) Posted 10 October , 2006 Share Posted 10 October , 2006 Hi mate Deserters often forfeited their medal entitlement. I think they could win back that entitlement if they joined the ranks again and put in a good show. I have one relative who deserted and forfeited his medals - no Medal Index Card exists. But his service papers survived and were in WO363 at the Nat Archives. I'd just like to add that my ancestor who deserted spent some horrible months in the trenches, was wounded, shipped back to England until fit again and then did a bunk just before being sent back to France again. I can't blame him ONE BIT. I would have quite possibly have done the same ! I am as proud of him as every other one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve G Posted 11 October , 2008 Share Posted 11 October , 2008 Does anyone know what happens to the records of a MIA or deserter? This place now appears to have quite a list of leads, if one wants a starting point. I've just now come across it, quite by chance, and am placing it here in the hope of helping anyone else with a similar type of question in future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 13 October , 2008 Share Posted 13 October , 2008 I've researched a deserter - try him out on Ancestry - a certain Richard Bloor from Llandegla, deserted 3rd RWF for three months, had previous form for AWOL. He was found by MPs hiding under a neighbour's bed. Went back into 2(?) RWF and was subsequently killed. His MIC show his trio, and his service records have the family communication with WD regarding his medals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west coast Posted 16 October , 2008 Share Posted 16 October , 2008 a sgt buckley of the aif deserted in 1916, rejoined under a different name [mothers maiden] he went on to win a dcm in`17, and a vc in `18. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bantamforgot Posted 16 October , 2008 Share Posted 16 October , 2008 Steve G. Thanks for the site you mentioned, very useful. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bdefrank Posted 18 November , 2008 Share Posted 18 November , 2008 As part of my genealogy studies I am trying to locate the service records of an ancestor whom I know for certain deserted from the British Army in WW1. Despite having to hand his regiment and regiment number he doesn't appear in the Medal Cards Listings nor any other larmy istings that I can find. Can anyone confirm for sure that if you are classed as a deserter or missing in action, that you no longer qualify for a medal - and does anyone know what happens to the records of a MIA or deserter? Thanks and kind regards. On the Medal Card I found for my grandfather the notation reads he was entitled to 2 medals. In the comments section it said "deserted 19-5-19". Surely he was back in England by that date. And with all the children he fathered if he was imprisoned it couldn't have been for long. So far I have been unable to find his service records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted 21 November , 2008 Share Posted 21 November , 2008 Kings Regulations 1912(amended to August 1914) Para 1929 - Disposal of Documents. 1929a(ii)Desertion - (Original)To be retained by officer i/c records for 15years and then destroyed. (Duplicate)To be forwarded to officer i/c records and retained by him until the man has been non-effective for 50years and then destroyed. There was no change to this regulation in KR's 1923 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 22 November , 2008 Share Posted 22 November , 2008 Yooho! Mr Johnson? Are you there? Seven serious members have bothered to answer your query!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilEvans Posted 22 November , 2008 Share Posted 22 November , 2008 last seen 13/10/2008 PM May be the only hope. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Posted 23 November , 2008 Share Posted 23 November , 2008 Neil, I think that Geraint was hoping that Mr Johnson might thank the members of the Forum for the effort made to answer his query. Apparently not. Roxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderingqa Posted 6 January , 2010 Share Posted 6 January , 2010 I think said member has departed this Forum! But never mind, carrying on this thread, I also have a family ancestor who is marked on his service papers as "Deserted". There are a couple of reports on his desertion - which was in UK, only a couple of weeks after he joined up! *- and nothing much more. How can I find out what happened to him? I have him marrying in 1918 (he deserted in 1915). I presume I should just assume he was one of those who melted away and never got caught! No MIC either so he probably didn't join up again. Is it useful to run through court records? * Incidentally, he had 5 other brothers, all who served & 2 were killed. Makes you wonder if family pressure made him do it? Kind regards Elaine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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