My Grandparents War

[Barsel]

Have any of you been watching this? I've found it really interesting to watch and it set me thinking about what my Grandparents did in the first world war.Do you know how I would be able to find out? Thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

Some tips here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/get_started/archives_01.shtml

[david small]

My grandfather in World War One, got riddled with shrapnel, lost one eye, but survived to work for Royal Mail for thirty nine years.

[Barsel]

Thanks Mamya, a lot of info in the link.
David how did you find out that info?

[AuntPollyGrey]

My grandfather born 1899 was in WWI aged 17. I think he may have lied about his age but I'm sure he said towards the end they took them at 16. He went to France, just about survived but unlike a lot of men returning he liked to talk about what he saw and did -not particularly suitable for children to hear at the time though.

[Barsel]

APG Both my Granddads were about 34 yrs old at the outbreak of WW1 so I don't even know if the were too old to enlist, and if they did, I have no idea which of the forces they were in.

[emmie]

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/search-military-records-for-free?SE=go&adID=377989006741&KW=military%2Brecords%20com&;SC=15&NO=260&;gclid=CjwKCAiAlajvBRB_EiwA4vAqiHn5wuzv5bkoaF3FrzJzETdBRzNI7uNbOpZ5w7l9MNx2TFd14ZmG6xoC0psQAvD_BwE

[maggiebee]

Watched Mark Rylance - My Grandfather's War (he was a Japanese prisoner of war). So interesting and can see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree, Mark is so like his grandad.

[maggiebee]

Had a look at your link emmie - is this for English records only as I can't see any Scottish regiments.

[david small]

Barsel, from my grandfather. I knew him, he passed away in the late sixties. He had a glass eye, and over forty years later shrapnel was still working its way out of his body. He used to attend out patients where they would remove yet another piece with tweezers.

[Bobbisox1]

Yes I started to watch it with Helen Bonham Carter,

[albaqwerty]

Haven't watched it, but found some of my paternal grandfather's WW1 history from joining famlysearch.org
When you find the correct name there may be extra information linked to other websites.

[Barsel]

Thanks all for your your replies. Maggie, I thought that, spitting image of his Grandfather.I will check out your link emmie and will have a look at family search alba. The only problem I have is if they ask for regiment etc because I don't even know if they fought in the war.

[albaqwerty]

with Emmie's link just type in name and if they served, the regiment and service number should be there
(along with quite a few of similar name tho)

[Barsel]

Did that alba but it came up with over 300 people with the same name. If it asked for date of birth, that would narrow it down a bit, but asking for which regiment, I haven't got a clue.

[THECORBYLOON]

MAGGIE, I typed in my Granddad's name as an example and it come up with same names for different folk and it showed various Scots regiments.

[albaqwerty]

when I said quite a few, I never imagined over 300 lol

Can you find them on the 1911 census?
(the familysearch site might help with that)

[tonyav]

emmies site link is very good. I found quite a lot of details about two great uncles of mine that died in WW1. One died on the Somme ( 1st day ) I got to know what his service number was see his medal card and also know where is grave is on the Somme, the other great uncle was in the Royal Navy and died in 1917. I got to know the name of the ship ( and all the ships that he had been part of the crew before ) and exactly what happened, I also got to know that all hands were lost and not bodies found ( those that were found were washed up on a shore in Norway ) but his name is on the naval war memorial in Plymouth.

[Barmaid]

My grandfather landed in Italy 1944 at Anzio. They pushed North from the Wadi area and eventually to Rome. He maintained that he and his battalion were the first allies into Rome. Indeed, he was driving at the front, but they had to wait for Gen Mark Clark to get there (some of this may be inaccurate w/o consulting my notes).

In 2013 I had the most enormous honour, privilege, and moving experience when I accompanied him and other family members to Italy. It was a wish of his to say goodbye to his mates before it was too late.

At Anzio he was presented with a scroll expressing the town's thanks for his service. How my mum and I held it together I shall never know. And at a special ceremony he wore his medals.

Sorry am rambling now, but it's still very raw we lost him a few months back.

[Barsel]

I heard of a website where you put in a persons name and it comes up with loads of info about them, but I don't know what it was called and I expect it's one you have to pay to join which I don't want to do.Will have another look at Family search to see what I can find. x

[Barsel]

Barmaid, did he tell you all this or did you find it out somewhere?