WW1 Service Record Advice/Help Please

[JoanneB]

Hello,
I am somewhat overwhelmed searching for information on my Grandfather who served in WW1. I have tried to search various sites and have got nowhere, ending up confused. I don't even have my Grandfathers full D.O.B. or know where he was born. I do have his entry from the 'Absent Voters Lists 1918' which is as follows:

82/12262 Cpl A.S.C.
John William Roberts
born 1884 (year on his gravestone)
Lived in Stockport (but was not born there)
He survived the war and had a small pension

As I have so little information on my Grandfather, I was hoping that his service records would help me identify him. Any help or advice would be gratefully received.
Thank you
Joanne

[Peter Goodey]

General advice on WW1 service records has been posted here dozens of times so I'll just concentrate on the pension bit. This suggests to me that he was a regular or he was discharged for medical reasons. If so, you may find him in class WO 364 at the National Archives. However if he served after 1920 you may have to go to the MoD.

[JoanneB]

Hello Peter,
Yes, I read most of the posts before I started. I then searched the A2A records, and searches came up 0. I then made a more general search amongst 'Roberts' and only the first 1000 came up, which I went through. I was unable to find out how to continue with the rest, and emailed them for advice but I am still waiting for a reply. I do not know what the (82) represents! Regarding his pension, out of the two reasons you mentioned, I would have thought he was discharged on medical grounds.
Thank you for the advice.
Joanne

[Peter Goodey]

Joanne

A2A is an overall partial catalogue of collections at County Record Offices (and some other repositories). It's not appropriate for what you need because the records are at the National Archives or still with the MoD.

There are not many name indexes included in TNA catalogue. Generally speaking, you have to go there in person (or have someone go for you).

[JoanneB]

Peter,

Thank you very much for the advice, appreciated.

Best wishes
Joanne

[SueL]

Hi Joanne,

I have just been reading your message...

If you can hang on until I've finished helping pejay (see thread below), I don't mind having a go at looking up your Grandfather...but were you aware that many, many records have not survived?

Regards,
sueL.

[Peter Goodey]

but were you aware that many, many records have not survived?

You may not have noticed that I was pointing her initially towards WO 364. This was because she mentioned a pension and to circumvent the issue of the lost records (WO 363)

[Peter Goodey]

In fact, if Joanne has followed up my suggestion she will already have looked at the catalogue and seen that, if the information she gave us is correct and subject to the usual hazards, John William Roberts would be in piece WO 364/5604.

She could then be taking her chances and ordering copies of the documents to be sent to her by post.

[JoanneB]

Hello Sue,
Thank you for the offer, I don't find the A2A searches easy! At 5a.m. this morning I found what I believe to be my Grandfather's medal record. After numerous searches coming up 0, I found this record in WO 372/17 file reference 4641. I had originally thought his Regiment number was 82/12262 but on the record it says S2/12262. He was a A/Sgt in the A.S.C. and was awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal and 15 Star Medal. Qualifying Date:9/5/15. It also says Theatre of war (1) France.
I know he was in Egypt at some stage but there is no mention of that.

I was also hoping to find a record which stated his full D.O.B. and where he was born if there is one. At this stage I am not sure if there are any more army records on-line. I have been burning the candle at both ends, I need some sleep..................
Thank you
Joanne

[Peter Goodey]

I don't find the A2A searches easy...I was also hoping to find a record which stated his full D.O.B. and where he was born if there is one. At this stage I am not sure if there are any more army records on-line.What is that I've said that you don't understand or don't like?

1. A2A is useless for this purpose.

2. The records are not online.

3. The records are at the National Archives.

4. If what you have told us is true, your man's records may be in WO 364/5604.

5. You can order copies of these records.

I don't mind being told that I'm wrong because I don't know everything but it's a bit dispiriting to have everything one's said ignored.

[SueL]

Good evening Peter,

sorry to be late in getting back to you...

Yes, you did say WO364 and I was thinking of WO363 when I sent my message to Joanne - my apologies; I was having a busy day!!

I must be honest and admit to checking both WO363 and WO364 when looking for soldiers because I have found so very many in the "wrong" place. I now search all SIX *areas* in view of this. I even came across a soldier with a really unusual name, that appeared in two different places although he was definitely the same soldier; one set of records included his discharge papers and the other included his pension records.

To be on the safe side, I now search in:
WO363 - main
WO363 - mis-sorts
WO364 - main
WO364 - mis-files
WO364 - 3rd collation
WO364 - miscellaneous (a small number at the very end)

Another example of how the files end up on the wrong film was highlighted to me a few months back when I was looking through WO364 and came across a young boy cadet who signed up at 16 but died when he was 18 (from natural causes) in...wait for it....1886!!

So, Peter, if any of this makes you concerned that one of *your* soldiers might be in the wrong *place*, give me his name, tell me where you've looked and I will have a look for him on the other films....but it may take a while if his surname is Smith, Brown or Jones! ;)

Kind regards,
sueL