Help locating great grandfather

[MissDee]

My great grandfather died at the end of WW1. However, My nana was only a baby at the time and does not remember any details other that what she was told by her mother. We have tried to locate more details of his death but to no avail. We cannot find his service records (poss burnt), he is not listed on war graves commision, or on any of the national roll of honours and there is nothing on his medal card. Really stumped as to where to look next. The only definate information we have are from one of his medals:
23507 CPL H Stevenson notts derby r
all other information is word of mouth: he died approx 1919 possibly Sunderland and had a war grave (Cannot locate). No other living family members.

Any suggestions where to go from here?

[MarkJ]

It might be worth contacting the museum which deals with the Sherwood Foresters (the Notts and Derbyshire regiment). They have volunteers who will undertake searches apparently -

http://www.wfrmuseum.org.uk/archives.htm

Mark

[Geoffers]

Welcome to the British Genealogy forums........

there is nothing on his medal card. Really stumped as to where to look next. The only definate information we have are from one of his medals:
23507 CPL H Stevenson notts derby r
all other information is word of mouth: he died approx 1919

To help with the hunt.........

Do you know his first name?

I take it that you have not found his death certificate?

You hint at having found his medal card. Is there anything on that to indicate that he was invalided out of the army?

Where was your grandmother born? Was this before, during or after the War? Did she have any siblings?

Do you have his marriage certificate, which gives his age? This may help to narrow down his death

[suedent]

If he had a war grave, even one in Sunderland, he would be on the Commonwealth War Grave Commission Roll of Honour.

There are no Stevensons of any initial who died 1918-1921 with a war grave in any of the Sunderland Cemeteries.

[hughar]

To help with the hunt......... Do you know his first name?



TNA lists a medal card for 23507 Corporal Henry Stevenson, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regt.

[MissDee]

There isn't much on the medal card, just his name regiment and medal details. It does not list any theatres of wars or postings.

His name was Henry Stevenson, his daughter was born 21 dec 1918 and I she was still a baby when he died. His widow remarried Dec 1920. the only death I can find registered is in Q1 1920 as yet I haven't ordered the certificate but if all else fails I may need to.

I've just email the museum and they maybe able to help shed some light.

[suedent]

As you are in Sunderland it might be worth visiting the Local Studies room in the Central Library. They have indexes for Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland (Grangetown) and Mere Knolls Cemeteries.

It's usually necessary to book a film reader, this can be done in person or over the phone.

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/public/editable/Themes/Lifelong-Learning/local-studies.asp

Once you have found the indexed entry you can then use the reference to get the entry from the burials register, this will give name, age place of death & grave number. It will also usuually give the home address if this differs from the place of death.

Maps of the cemeteries can be found on the Sunderland Council Website, this is especially necessary for Bishopwearmouth Cemetery.

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/public/editable/life-episodes/dwad/master/cem-view-ward-plan.asp

They also have the Sunderland Echo on film which can be searched for any death announcements.

[Geoffers]

His name was Henry Stevenson, his daughter was born 21 dec 1918 and I she was still a baby when he died. His widow remarried Dec 1920.

As mentioned - do you have his marriage certificate? This will give an age which may then help to identify his death in the various records.

Where was his daughter born?

[suedent]

Checking Sunderland Marriages 1911-1920 I can find only one Henry Stevenson

STEVENSON Henry/ARKLEY Alice J (other surname YOUNG) 1918 (Quarter 3)

STEVENSON Alice J (Other name YOUNG)/DAVIS Charles E 1920 (Quarter 4)

You can order the certificates online

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/pages/registrars/

or by visiting the Civic Centre.

Q1 1919 STEVENSON Agnes (Mother's maiden name Young) Sunderland 10a 1067

Unfortunately as yet only the marriage certificates have been indexed online for Sunderland.

To get Agnes' birth certificate from the Civic centre all you need is the quarter she was born and her mother's maiden name, if you know the area of Sunderland she was born (or even the address) it does help with the search.

Given the date of both marriages, this looks like it could be Henry's death

Q1 1920 STEVENSON Henry 31 Sunderland 10a 763

[suedent]

As an extra here is Alice's first marriage:

Marriages Jun 1908 ARKLEY James Maughan/YOUNG Alice Jane Sunderland 10a 1241


Births Jun 1887 Arkley James Maughan Sunderland 10a 677

This could be James on the CWGC Debt of Honour Register
Name: ARKLEY, JAMES
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry
Unit Text: 20th Bn.
Date of Death: 26/06/1917
Service No: 20/630
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 36 and 38.
Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL