WW1 Medal Card Index-National Archives on-line

[willow]

I am trying to find my Gr Uncle Harry Stewart BURTON on the Medal Card Index. As there are numerous H. BURTON's recorded, how will I know which one is Uncle Harry? All I know of Harry is his date/place of birth 1896 & date/place of death 1971. Can anyone please advise.

[Jemimajane]

Although there are many H Burton's, there is one H S P Burton (Royal West Surrey Regiment) - and one Harry S Burton (Army Service Corps).
I don't know if this will help you at all - ( I have a similar problem with a William Phillips!)

[willow]

Thank you JemimaJane,
but unfortunately this still does not confirm if this is the correct person I'm looking for

[uksearch]

Do you have him on the 1901 Census? If not he's at
RG 13 3716 foilo 72
12 Stowell st,Pendleton.

UK

[Geoffers]

I am trying to find my Gr Uncle Harry Stewart BURTON on the Medal Card Index. As there are numerous H. BURTON's recorded, how will I know which one is Uncle Harry? All I know of Harry is his date/place of birth 1896 & date/place of death 1971. Can anyone please advise.Just trying to think of ways around this to help you move forward......

Do you know in branch of the forces he served?

Do you know if he just served in WW1 and was discharged, or if he enlisted to pension?

Have you tried the service records at Kew? Granted most were destroyed, but some have survived and you may be lucky.

Do you know if he was injured and/or when he enlisted?

Does his name appear in the National Roll of Honour? as per the CDroms sold by ACDB?

Some parishes don't just have a list of those who fell, but include Roll of Honour from the entire parish, recording those who fought and in which service. Those I've seen have all been in the local church, have you tried this?

Do you know if he married and is so when? What is his occupation in the marriage certificate?
Geoffers

[willow]

Hello Geoffers,
I just know from my late Father who was also born in Manchester, that Harry was a seaman/sailor (I am assuming in the Merchant Navy). I'm not sure if he ever married as on his death cert the informant was not related. This I checked out. His occupation was shop assistant. I'm afraid this is all I know of Harry.
Pretty bleak don't you think? I will try the service records at Kew, just in case.
Thanks for the pointers

[Geoffers]

I just know from my late Father who was also born in Manchester, that Harry was a seaman/sailor (I am assuming in the Merchant Navy). I'm not sure if he ever married as on his death cert the informant was not related. This I checked out. His occupation was shop assistant. I'm afraid this is all I know of Harry. Pretty bleak don't you think?
As he went to sea, things aren't that bleak - but don't assume he was Merchant rather than Royal Navy.

RN records from WW1 have survived and can be seen at TNA, Kew in class ADM188

See TNA's online leaflet:
http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=39

Merchant Navy is a bit more tricky and TNA is not the best place to start for WW1, to save typing for my fingers start from the following leaflet
http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=257
Unfortunately the records of the fourth register of seamen for the period 1913-1918 were destroyed in 1969 and so you will probably have to rely on the agreements and crew lists

Geoffers

[willow]

Thank you Geoffers, I now have something to go on. My brother lives in London, will have to speak to him nicely, in order to get him to the National Archives for me!!
Again, many thanks

[uksearch]

I had a look in the TD to see if I could shed any more light on your man.However the results were not too enlightening.

BURTON Harry,householder 74 Devonshire St, Hulme.
BURTON Harry,householder 65 Lower Moss Lane,Hulme.
BURTON Harry,householder 3 Vere St,Salford.

Of couse he may not have been head of a household in 1920.

UK

[willow]

My latest find........
BURTON H.S Corpl, Lancashire Fusiliers
12 Stowell Street, Weaste
Volunteering in Nov 1914 was drafted a year later to France and took part in the fighting at, Loos, Vermells, Vimy Ridge, the Somme, and Arras, where he was wounded. He rejoined his unit and was in action at Ypres and cambrai and was again wounded in 1918 at the Somme and invalided home.
He was demobilised in Feb 1919 and holds the 1914-15 Star, General Service and Victory medals.
SOURCE NATION ROLL of the GREAT WAR.