Why can't I find him?

[jillw]

My Grandfather William George Pincombe was born in 1898 and so would have been a ripe age for seeing service during WW1. However, I have never been able to find a single reference to him have taken part. This has always confused me but reluctantly I let the matter go. However, I have just be told by my Aunt Lucy ( who is very gradually letting drop some gems of information) that my Grandad was not only gassed during WW1 had a wound which left a hole in his neck but was also taken prisoner at some stage. I know that a lot of records were destroyed during WW2 but I can't find anything on Ancestry's pensions website either. Has anyone any ideas where I could look for information? William doesn't appear in the medal card index or anywhere else that I can see, and I don't even know at this stage what battles he was involved in. Hoping Aunt Lucy may tell me that eventually, if she knows. Would a visit to the National Archives or the Imperial war Museum bear any fruit, and what would I ask to look at?

[Colin Moretti]

TNA have a leaflet on prisoners of war here:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletID=21

It doesn't look as if it will be particularly easy to find anything but at least it's a starting point.

Good luck

Colin

[Peter Goodey]

I can't find anything on Ancestry's pensions website
Nor you will until they get a bit further than "B"!!! :D

I think this is pretty much a summary of the full story...
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=18

[Geoffers]

Just some ideas....

Did he join under-age and use his mother's maiden name?

Is his entry mistranscribed in the TNA index of campaign medals - for example, could the C G Pincombe actually be W G or similar idea with the W J Pincombe.

Have you tried the RN records - did he join the navy and land with the Naval Division? - or - Was he in the RFC/RAF?

TNA has WW1 prisoners' interviews on Documents online - is he in those?

Geoffers

[Terry Reeves]

There is a William Pinchcombe in PIN 26 / 22318 at the National Archive. These are selected WW1 pension records and often show the soldiers basic regimental details. The catalogue shows "nature of disability - gunshot wound".

Terry Reeves

[jillw]

Guys, Thank you very much for all the info. Terry that is truly brilliant thank you very much, I had tried lots of various spellings but not that one! Of course it might not be him but it sounds really hopeful. Will get on to it a.s.a.p

Lots of Love

Jillw

[Pegasus]

Jill.

If you want More Info, on Your Grandfathers Service in WW1, try:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

The Guys on there would be able to help!


Wish You Luck!

[jillw]

Dear Pegasus,
What a wonderful site, Am digesting it slowly but think one of my first ports of call will be to see if I can locate an absent voters list, as I believe I do know my Grandad's address in 1918.
As a totally unrelated aside. My Dad was with the R.A.M.C attached to the 6th Airborne WW2 and his badge was of course the Pegasus.

Lots of love
Jillw