ww1 medal cards to be destroyed!!!

[debbi2k]

Please everyone - the MOD will destroy the WW1 Medal Index Cards in April because they say they do not have enough room to store them. The National Archives do not want them as they have scanned them. But only he fronts - the rear of these cards hold important information such as addresses etc.

Please send an email to yfted@futurenet.co.uk heading your email 'Save the Medal Index Cards'

Or write to: Rt. Hon Geoff Hoon & Sarah Tyacke
Save the Medal Index Cards
c/o Your Family Tree
30 Monmouth Street
Bath BA1 2BW

They will forward all letters and emails on.

PLEASE DO IT NOW - TOMORROW WILL BE TO LATE

[sandiep]

where has this information come from debbie?

[Jo Simpsons]

I have seen this on many mailing lists. One I read was a quote from Garrick Webster the editor from Your family tree.

Jo

[Peter Goodey]

I have seen this on many mailing lists.

Unfortunately, that doesn't stop it being an urban myth which is what I'll treat it as until it is confirmed from another independent source.

[Jo Simpsons]

Do you know Peter I had never thought of that. I hope it is but how sad to start it if that isn't the case.

Jo

[Clive Blackaby]

I have seen this on many mailing lists.

Unfortunately, that doesn't stop it being an urban myth which is what I'll treat it as until it is confirmed from another independent source.I have to admit that it looks to me very much like the sort of mischievous hoax which are all too common now.

I wonder if anyone on the forum (Rod???) has reliable contacts at National Archives who could either confirm this (and convey our concerns if it is true) or deny it (and help to stop the rumours)

Clive

p.s. I have emailed NA with a link to this post to ask if they would like to comment :) Watch this space

[Jo Simpsons]

Oh yes or our MPs will be inundated with emails!

Jo

[Mandie]

I read about this on the 1914-1918 forums, which seems to have much "info" from those close to the action. Decide for yourselves.

It does seem suspiciously like an Internet urban myth to me, though.

[Guy Etchells]

Garrick is not the type to start a myth.

Cheers
Guy

[Peter Goodey]

"I have to admit that it looks to me very much like the sort of mischievous hoax which are all too common now."


...and if this really does come from a magazine, let's not forget that it would be from the April edition.

[Jo Simpsons]

Garrick was just the name on the email I read, one of many others. I'm not saying it was him. This is what I had, hope this ok. If not just shout and I'll take it off!
Destruction of a vital source of original records?
>> Start of quote:
>> As we go to press, it has come to my attention that in April the MOD
> intends to destroy some 6 million records of medals issued to WW1
> personnel.
> I think you will agree that we cannot let them do so.
>>
>> Our military expert Paul Reed has been looking into the matter and it
> appears that the private facility used by the MOD to hold the records at
> Hayes wants to relocate and charge the MOD for moving the cards. The
> MOD's
> response is to get rid of the 140 filing cabinets that contain the 4-6
> million
> cards. The National Archives doesn't want to take on the cards because it
> has already microfiched them and the microfiche has been digitally scanned
> (see www.documentsonline.nationalarchives.gov.uk (http://www.documentsonline.nationalarchives.gov.uk)).
>>
>> This isn't good enough. This is the only complete and untouched record
>> of
> First World War soldiers left. Other service records were burned during
> WW2. Only the fronts of the cards have been scanned and we believe that
> written on the back of many of these cards is the address that the medals
> were sent to. Often, it isn't possible to determine whether the record of
> the medals issued relates to your ancestor or another person without
> checking this address.
>>
>> First, the cards need to be preserved. They then need to be scanned
> properly, front and back, and re-indexed. If the National Archives won't
> step in, perhaps someone else will. The Imperial War Museum? The
> Veteran's
> Association?
>>
>> The MOD claims its holds copyright on the cards and that it can do what
>> it
> wishes with them. I'd argue that these cards are part of the nation's
> heritage. They are public records,nationalarchives.gov.uk</FONT>).
>>
>> This isn't good enough. This is the only complete and untouched record
>> of
> First World War soldiers left. Other service records were burned during
> WW2. Only the fronts of the cards have been scanned and we believe that
> written on the back of many of these cards is the address that the medals
> were sent to. Often, it isn't possible to determine whether the record of
> the medals issued relates to your ancestor or another person without
> checking this address.
>>
>> First, the cards need to be preserved. They then need to be scanned
> properly, front and back, and re-indexed. If the National Archives won't
> step in, perhaps someone else will. The Imperial War Museum? The
> Veteran's
> Association?
>>
>> The MOD claims its holds copyright on the cards and that it can do what
>> it
> wishes with them. I'd argue that these cards are part of the nation's
> heritage. They are public records, and I'd remind the MOD that the
> descendants of WW1 soldiers pay their taxes. The cards remind us of the
> enormous sacrifice and loss incurred by men and women in this country
> during
> WW1, and of their bravery in adversity. They enable the children and
> grandchildren of those who died, and those who survived, to find out some
> of
> the lost details of their forebears.
>>
>> To save the cards we must take action. We're instituting a campaign to
> urge the Minister of Defence, Geoff Hoon, and the Director of the National
> Archives, Sarah Tyacke, to prevent the destruction of these records
> straight
> away. Address your letter to us and we'll pass it on to these
> authorities:
>> Rt Hon Geoff Hoon & Sarah Tyacke
>> Save the Medal Index Cards
>> c/o Your Family Tree
>> 30 Monmouth Street
>> Bath BA1 2BW
>> Alternatively, send an email headed 'Save the Medal Index Cards' to us at
> <A href="mailto:yfted@futurenet.co.uk"><FONT color=#0000ff>yfted@futurenet.co.uk and I'd remind the MOD that the
> descendants of WW1 soldiers pay their taxes. The cards remind us of the
> enormous sacrifice and loss incurred by men and women in this country
> during
> WW1, and of their bravery in adversity. They enable the children and
> grandchildren of those who died, and those who survived, to find out some
> of
> the lost details of their forebears.
>>
>> To save the cards we must take action. We're instituting a campaign to
> urge the Minister of Defence, Geoff Hoon, and the Director of the National
> Archives, Sarah Tyacke, to prevent the destruction of these records
> straight
> away. Address your letter to us and we'll pass it on to these
> authorities:
>> Rt Hon Geoff Hoon & Sarah Tyacke
>> Save the Medal Index Cards
>> c/o Your Family Tree
>> 30 Monmouth Street
>> Bath BA1 2BW
>> Alternatively, send an email headed 'Save the Medal Index Cards' to us at
> yfted@futurenet.co.uk (yfted@futurenet.co.uk). Do it now - the records are due to be destroyed in
> April.
>>
>> Garrick Webster,
>> Editor, Your Family Tree"
>>
>> End of quote
>>
>> I apologise for typos in the above. As we know now that the 1911 census
> is in one almighty mess with the enumerator's books lost and the household
> schedules badly damaged, the thought of yet another valuable - priceless -
> resource being deliberately destroyed is beyond belief. Such destruction
> will prevent those following in our footsteps in family history research
> in
> generations to come from achieving their goals.
>
> Bob in Brisbane

[Peter Goodey]

Perhaps this will lay the subject to rest. Reproduced from s.g.b :


From the Bristol & Somerset mailing list.

A reply about the WWI Medal cards which might interest you all.

--------

Dear XXXX

Thank you for your email and for your concern.

I trust this explains the situation regarding the WW1 medal cards:

In 1985, the Public Record Office, now The National Archives, began
microfilming the alphabetical card index to the First World War Army medal
rolls. The front of the cards was microfilmed, with the originals
remaining in Ministry of Defence (MOD) custody. The National Archives now
makes that index available to the public in microfiche here at Kew and
also via our website online
http://www.documentsonline.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ (http://www.documentsonline.nationalarchives.gov.uk/)

The MOD now has no further administrative use for the cards, and so they
and we have offered the original cards to a number of institutions,
museums etc. So far, none of the institutions approached has wished to
take the cards, largely on account of the huge transfer and storage costs
(and set of course against the fact that almost all the information they
contain is available online). The cards are contained in 143 cabinets,
each 5' 10" tall / 14" wide / 2' deep, each weighing around 175 kg.

The reverse side of the index cards has not been copied as the vast
majority of them are blank. A very small percentage has something written
on the reverse, and in some, but not in all cases, this was the address to
which the medals were sent. Sampling has found soldiers' addresses on less
than two cards in three hundred and the resources required to identify and
extract that small percentage of cards from within the total collection
(5-6 million cards) cannot be justified. Notwithstanding the
incompleteness of the First World War soldiers' records due to World War 2
bombing, in many cases that same home address will be found within the
man's service or pension documents preserved at The National Archives, or
indeed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website
http://www.cwgc.org (http://www.cwgc.org)

The MOD will thne of the institutions approached has wished to
take the cards, largely on account of the huge transfer and storage costs
(and set of course against the fact that almost all the information they
contain is available online). The cards are contained in 143 cabinets,
each 5' 10" tall / 14" wide / 2' deep, each weighing around 175 kg.

The reverse side of the index cards has not been copied as the vast
majority of them are blank. A very small percentage has something written
on the reverse, and in some, but not in all cases, this was the address to
which the medals were sent. Sampling has found soldiers' addresses on less
than two cards in three hundred and the resources required to identify and
extract that small percentage of cards from within the total collection
(5-6 million cards) cannot be justified. Notwithstanding the
incompleteness of the First World War soldiers' records due to World War 2
bombing, in many cases that same home address will be found within the
man's service or pension documents preserved at The National Archives, or
indeed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website
http://www.cwgc.org (http://www.cwgc.org)

The MOD will therefore shortly destroy the cards, this being the only
realistic option.

I am sorry that this is probably not the reply you will have hoped to
receive, but I hope that this explanation will at least help you to
understand the reasons behind the decision.

Yours sincerely

Paul Sturm
Public Services Development Unit


The above reply appears to come from the National Archives.

Please note in particular the statement that only a very small proportion of the cards have anything on the back and generally (but apparently not always) the information on the back is available from other sources.

In other words, it's a lot of hot air about nothing.

[Guy Etchells]

That all depends upon your view as to why an archive should be preserved and how much additional information is required to consider archiving one source rather than another.
This is a question that is asked everyday by archivists who decide what to keep and what to bin with the result that unfortunately much excellent archive material is binned.
I know of one renowned archive in Yorkshire that has been compiled from material discarded as not worth archiving.

For example, what safeguards were in place when the index cards were microfilmed to ensure that all the cards were filmed?
Microfilming of the census and of parish registers show many instances of missed pages.
This card index is an unique record of the time as other sources were destroyed in WW2 and at other times.

Using that logic there is no need to preserve Bishop’s Transcripts as the information is contained in Parish Registers, but I am sure you would agree that the flaw in this thinking is that the BTs do not record all the information on the PRs.
The logic could also be taken one stage further and a case could be made to destroy all original Parish Registers as they have now been microfilmed therefore there is no need to archive the original registers which take up a lot of room and need a controlled environment to preserve them.
Again I am sure you would argue against such a move but that is the situation with the medal cards index.
Cheers
Guy

[Peter Goodey]

So far as you're concerned, everything has to be preserved regardless of the merits of the particular case and regardless of the cost and the custodians of the public purse and the other institutions involved are wrong and you are right.

Where is the money come from to pay for this unrealistic ideal?

[Alanh]

If you read the thread on this subject on 1914-1918 forums, this makes clear that the figures quoted for entries on the back of the index cards as being less than 2 cards in three hundred is very much an understatement.Alan

[Guy Etchells]

No, of course not that is not what I wrote.
If you read my posting you would see I wrote

"That all depends upon your view as to why an archive should be preserved and how much additional information is required to consider archiving one source rather than another.
snip

For example, what safeguards were in place when the index cards were microfilmed to ensure that all the cards were filmed?
Microfilming of the census and of parish registers show many instances of missed pages.
This card index is an unique record of the time as other sources were destroyed in WW2 and at other times."

In other words a judgement has to be made and safeguards put in place to ensure that the data has been accurately recorded if a change of media is deemed adequate.
Unfortunately in this instance (as in other instances) the microfilming has failed to reach archive standards therefore the original must be kept until this is achieved.
The mere fact that microfilming and digitisation was deemed necessary proves that the relevant authorities deemed the records were worth saving. That being the case the job must be done professionally and not in an amateurish half hearted way.

It is a fact that more money is spent trying to correct such mistakes than would have been spent doing the job correctly in the first place.
Take the 1901 online census fiasco as an example ofmessage=No, of course not that is not what I wrote.
If you read my posting you would see I wrote

"That all depends upon your view as to why an archive should be preserved and how much additional information is required to consider archiving one source rather than another.
snip

For example, what safeguards were in place when the index cards were microfilmed to ensure that all the cards were filmed?
Microfilming of the census and of parish registers show many instances of missed pages.
This card index is an unique record of the time as other sources were destroyed in WW2 and at other times."

In other words a judgement has to be made and safeguards put in place to ensure that the data has been accurately recorded if a change of media is deemed adequate.
Unfortunately in this instance (as in other instances) the microfilming has failed to reach archive standards therefore the original must be kept until this is achieved.
The mere fact that microfilming and digitisation was deemed necessary proves that the relevant authorities deemed the records were worth saving. That being the case the job must be done professionally and not in an amateurish half hearted way.

It is a fact that more money is spent trying to correct such mistakes than would have been spent doing the job correctly in the first place.
Take the 1901 online census fiasco as an example of that.

It is very easy to be flippant and state that if someone objects to a record being destroyed they are in favour of preserving everything, however some of us realise that judgements have to be made.
The point is in this case a judgement has been made to preserve the data but the procedures used to enable that judgement have been carried out in a sloppy manner; that is inexcusable.
Cheers
Guy

[Peter Goodey]

I've never heard anyone else allege that not all cards were filmed. What evidence do you have?

It may well be that they should have filmed the backs but the fact remains that they didn't and that's the position they find themselves in. Nobody doubts that the backs of a small number cards have some value. That much is implicitly recognised in the National Archives letter.

The question is whether the value of the missing data justifies the cost in preserving it. A number of organisations clearly think that it isn't. Perhaps some rich corporation will cough up the money (an armaments company sounds appropriate). Otherwise I haven't noticed any great move among genealogists to offer to dip their hands into their own pockets despite all the moaning, Perhaps people have generally assessed that the missing data isn't really as valuable as some people make out.

[Peter Goodey]

I'd pen something lengthy in support of what you say if I weren't trying to get some notes together for a trip to the National Archives tomorrow (admission free!). I'll be following that with visits to the FRC (admission free!), the LMA (admission free!) and my local CRO (admission free!).

[Geoffers]

As has been written, what I consider rubbish (the dome), no doubt someone else thinks is the greatest thing since sliced bread. But then they probably think that my interest in dead people is pretty weird - we're both entitled to our views.

My sympathies go out to the person/people who have to make the decision as to what is kept and what is not. They have a limited amount of space and funds, what a terrible decsion to have to make.

Geoffers

[Guy Etchells]

The evidence comes from the same source as the errors in the 1901 online census index, experience both first hand and from other researchers.

Unfortunately as usual the error has been played down but the actual ommissions add up to over 10% of the backs contain information, which when dealing with 5-6 million is not a small number.

Perhaps the other organisations have not been made aware of the full story and think the microfilming has been done properly.
Cheers
Guy

[Clive Blackaby]

"a load of old tat" sounds just like a description of the millennium dome :) Methinks Geoffers has hit on an ideal storage location for these documents :D

Now what we need is an army of volunteers to sort through them and check which one's are missing from the indexes, and which ones have interesting info on the backs ..... :rolleyes:

[Peter Goodey]

"experience both first hand and from other researchers"

"the actual ommissions add up to over 10% of the backs contain information"

I actually asked what the evidence was, not where it came from.

You say over 10%, National Archives says very much less than 10%. I'm prepared to believe this evidence that you say you're familiar with if it looks convincing. Where is this evidence? Who has it? Shouldn't they be publicizing it to support the campaign?

[Jo Simpsons]

I heard back from my MP today, she has written to Ivor Caplin, Undersecretary of State at the MOD asking clarification on it. She has said she will forward a copy to me.

I just feel that all these people who fought for our Country and awarded medals, should be honoured and the records of them not dumped because space is short. :(

Jo

[Pam Downes]

The SoG have written to the MoD on behalf of the genealogical community.
Pam Downes

[WW1 Research]

Can I draw your attention to:

http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/medal_index_cards.htm

It looks like the Western Front Association will be saving the records.

[Peter Goodey]

I note that "the eventual aim is to make the records available to the public, possibly via the Internet".

I hope that the National Archives or MoD nail down this 'Western Front Association' with a clear contractual obligation, including a timescale, to make sure that the public access actually happens.

[Pam Downes]

I note that "the eventual aim is to make the records available to the public, possibly via the Internet".

I hope that the National Archives or MoD nail down this 'Western Front Association' with a clear contractual obligation, including a timescale, to make sure that the public access actually happens.
The most important thing for the time being is for the records to be saved.
The actions of TNA and MoD so far in this saga have hardly been exemplary enough for them to start laying down the law about what should happen to the records. And I doubt that if the Western Front Association obtain the records that they will be able to sit back quietly and forget about them.
I suspect that WFA would make an application for a lottery grant to help make the records available. If so it will be VERY interesting to see if (a) the great quango grants the money in full or (b) if it says that it will match pound for pound, just how much the public donate.

Pam Downes

[Peter Goodey]

"The actions of TNA and MoD so far in this saga have hardly been exemplary enough for them to start laying down the law about what should happen to the records."

That conclusion doesn't follow. Failing to act in the public interest is not excused by any earlier failure to do so.

"I doubt...I suspect"

If you have so much faith in this outfit, what on earth can be wrong with a contractual obligation to actually do what they claim they will do?

[Guy Etchells]

Seems like nothing will please you Peter, perhaps you would be more at ease if the SoG found another home for the cards rather than the charity the WFA.

I cannot understand your logic, at first you were so content with the offerings of TNA that you accepted the proposal to destroy the cards; now you want the rescuers tied up in contracts. Why not be thankful that some have had to foresight to save the cards?
Cheers
Guy

[Peter Goodey]

"I cannot understand your logic, at first you were so content with the offerings of TNA that you accepted the proposal to destroy the cards; now you want the rescuers tied up in contracts. Why not be thankful that some have had to foresight to save the cards?"

And I have explained and obviously will have to repeat, the data on the back of the cards is of value. What is in doubt is how much value. The National Archives have evidence to indicate that the value is very low. Others have disputed this but have not come up with a single jot of evidence to support their case. Therefore I was certainly not convinced that public money should have been spent preserving them.

As it happens, one organisation is prepared to take them on. Fine, it's their money.

But I am absolutely certain that if the data on the back of the cards is not made readily accessible to researchers, the cards are of absolutely no value whatsoever.

Now why you, Guy, are so outraged by the thought of a contractual obligation, I really cannot understand. It was you who drew my attention to a parliamentary debate about the privatisation of MoD record keeping so you ought to be familiar with the principles involved. When responsibility for something passes from the public sector, public servants should never assume that the other party can be trusted to do the job properly without spelling out their obligations in writing.

I'm familiar enough with the history of privatisations to know that they are often bungled and I don't in all honesty really expect that any binding obligation will be put on the WFA. The MoD will be glad to be shot of the stuff and also happy that researchers will have been placated and any future complaints will at least not be directed to MoD.

I hope the WFA lives up to its promises but I leave you with this thought - what will all those people who are more convinced about the high value of the cards than I am say or do if it transpires that the WFA for one reason or another fails to make the data available?

[Ladkyis]

We'll probably kick up a stink on a forum until someone - *THEY* - does something we think is good and then we'll all nod our heads and say "that's ok then" and find something else to do. Unless you feel strongly enough to contact the Western Front Association and make a donation - just a thought.

Ann
donning her dad's tin hat and ducking for cover :D

[Jo Simpsons]

Hey!
Lets just hope it goes well for all concerned.
Ann I would toast to your tin hat if I had one!
|cheers|
Jo :)

[Guy Etchells]

And I have explained and obviously will have to repeat, the data on the back of the cards is of value. What is in doubt is how much value. The National Archives have evidence to indicate that the value is very low. Others have disputed this but have not come up with a single jot of evidence to support their case. Therefore I was certainly not convinced that public money should have been spent preserving them.

I have not offered evidence on this forum no, but this debate has being going on for two to three years since the digitising of the record cards started in about 2000 and it gets rather tiresome repeating the same arguments time after time.
Some seem to believe this has all sprung from Garrick Webster’s editorial, not so.

As it happens, one organisation is prepared to take them on. Fine, it's their money.

But I am absolutely certain that if the data on the back of the cards is not made readily accessible to researchers, the cards are of absolutely no value whatsoever.

Agreed, but what is lost if they, a trustworthy group, renege on their proposals; nothing. If the cards were destroyed as intended they would be lost in any case this way there is a good chance that they shall be preserved.

Now why you, Guy, are so outraged by the thought of a contractual obligation, I really cannot understand. It was you who drew my attention to a parliamessage=And I have explained and obviously will have to repeat, the data on the back of the cards is of value. What is in doubt is how much value. The National Archives have evidence to indicate that the value is very low. Others have disputed this but have not come up with a single jot of evidence to support their case. Therefore I was certainly not convinced that public money should have been spent preserving them.

I have not offered evidence on this forum no, but this debate has being going on for two to three years since the digitising of the record cards started in about 2000 and it gets rather tiresome repeating the same arguments time after time.
Some seem to believe this has all sprung from Garrick Webster’s editorial, not so.

As it happens, one organisation is prepared to take them on. Fine, it's their money.

But I am absolutely certain that if the data on the back of the cards is not made readily accessible to researchers, the cards are of absolutely no value whatsoever.

Agreed, but what is lost if they, a trustworthy group, renege on their proposals; nothing. If the cards were destroyed as intended they would be lost in any case this way there is a good chance that they shall be preserved.

Now why you, Guy, are so outraged by the thought of a contractual obligation, I really cannot understand. It was you who drew my attention to a parliamentary debate about the privatisation of MoD record keeping so you ought to be familiar with the principles involved. When responsibility for something passes from the public sector, public servants should never assume that the other party can be trusted to do the job properly without spelling out their obligations in writing.

I see no reason at all for any restrictions to be placed on material that the MoD and TNA regard as worthless. If the material is not worthless then the TNA should provide a home for it, if it is worthless why add contractual restrictions. There is no logic in the suggestion.

I'm familiar enough with the history of privatisations to know that they are often bungled and I don't in all honesty really expect that any binding obligation will be put on the WFA. The MoD will be glad to be shot of the stuff and also happy that researchers will have been placated and any future complaints will at least not be directed to MoD.

I hope the WFA lives up to its promises but I leave you with this thought - what will all those people who are more convinced about the high value of the cards than I am say or do if it transpires that the WFA for one reason or another fails to make the data available?

They will probably do what many do; nothing or wait in the wings until those who actually care about our heritage create a fuss.

Now, the future of the Medal Index mentary debate about the privatisation of MoD record keeping so you ought to be familiar with the principles involved. When responsibility for something passes from the public sector, public servants should never assume that the other party can be trusted to do the job properly without spelling out their obligations in writing.

I see no reason at all for any restrictions to be placed on material that the MoD and TNA regard as worthless. If the material is not worthless then the TNA should provide a home for it, if it is worthless why add contractual restrictions. There is no logic in the suggestion.

I'm familiar enough with the history of privatisations to know that they are often bungled and I don't in all honesty really expect that any binding obligation will be put on the WFA. The MoD will be glad to be shot of the stuff and also happy that researchers will have been placated and any future complaints will at least not be directed to MoD.

I hope the WFA lives up to its promises but I leave you with this thought - what will all those people who are more convinced about the high value of the cards than I am say or do if it transpires that the WFA for one reason or another fails to make the data available?

They will probably do what many do; nothing or wait in the wings until those who actually care about our heritage create a fuss.

Now, the future of the Medal Index Cards looks fairly secure allow me to ask about another long standing cause. –

How many family historians on this forum for instance have backed the campaign to have the legal access to civil registers re-instated? ;-))
This access was unilaterally removed, unlawfully, in about 1972 by the Registrar General after over 150 years of public access to the registers.
Cheers
Guy

[debbi2k]

Sorry to have caused a huha with my posting!!

My MP replied in 24 hours by letter to my email and is also getting on the MP responsible for the MOD.

My local paper has also expressed a interest in this.

I am not sure about polictics and all the other stuff flying around on here,I just didnt want my grandads medal card destroyed and I guessed others out there would feel the same about their ancestors cards too.

I paid my £3.50 for a poor quality download of the front of the card and would love to know if there was anything on the back.Maybe the MOD would allow me to have the card if I asked them nicely.


Anyway, I think its a shame and a waste but as April is fast approaching I fear we are already too late too save them.


Sad really

Debbi

[Jo Simpsons]

Debbi, go a little further back on the thread and there is a link for Western Front

hang on,

this is it
http://battlefields1418.50megs.com/medal_index_cards.htm
have a look there.
Jo :)

[debbi2k]

Dear Jo,

I had found that and was in there having a good look whilst you posted your message.

Thank you for the thought anyway.

I am now off to tell my friend she can cancel the interview tomorrow with the local press as the situation is quite possibly now under control.

Debbi

[Jo Simpsons]

Oh I wouldn't cancel as yet. You never know!If it gets publicity then Western Front may need to stick their thought of allowing it to be viewed on the internet.

Jo :)

[WW1 Research]

Being very closely involved in this issue, and the Western Front Association's bid to take the records, I can assure you the desire to make them available on the net is not a vague idea on our part but an essential core of our proposal. However, all this is in the discussion phase, and I would ask for all concerned to be patient. If you want to support the WFA in their task drop an email to:

enquiries@westernfrontassociation.com

The more names they have supporting their bid, the stronger it is.

[Ann.McClean]

I received the above details via the Rootweb Kent, Warwick & Cheshire lists;
but am contacting Your Family Tree magazine to see if all is gratis - just in case!