In Search of a Soldier

[Linda]

My research into the life of a soldier started in 2000 after my Mom had died. I found some papers which I remembered her showing me after the death of her own mother. My grandma had a birth certificate (1885), a certificate of Education issued by the British Army in India (1909) and a memorandum from the Army Accounts office (1912) all in the name of this soldier. I soon discovered from the Commonwealth War Graves website that the soldier was killed in action in France in 1916 and had no known grave. What did he mean to my grandma?

With the help of censuses, BMD indexes, Local Studies Libraries in Leeds and Keighley, a regimental museum, and last but not least, the tireless efforts of a few wonderful friends living in England, we were able to piece together the life of the soldier. My friends spent many hours at the National Archives, searching for every scrap of information. The soldier's service records had not survived, but there were other records to indicate when he joined the Army, where he served, medals and citations, etc.

(to be continued - keeping the message short to avoid duplication)

[Linda]

The soldier had joined the Army in 1900 at the tender age of 15, fought in the Boer War, then went to India, went into reserves in 1912, lived and worked in Leeds, then rejoined the Army at the start of WW1. He was awarded a DCM for rescuing another soldier under heavy shelling, but was killed shortly afterwards. Sadly, he died an unmarried man, survived by his mother and at least one sibling.


After all the hours of research, and now having 14 typed pages of information on the soldier, I still had no clue as to the connection between him and my grandma....until recently.

We often see Geoffers harping on (just kidding!) about the value of Wills. I recently wrote to the Probate Office in York, grasping at straws, I thought. Yes!! Indeed there was a will, only 2-1/2 handwritten lines written in 1914, but in that short Will was the answer! Unbelievable! He had left everything to a "friend", my grandad!!

Not very romantic, I know. I thought the soldier had perhaps been grandma's true love. But at least the brick wall is down! |woohoo|

Linda

[Geoffers]

We often see Geoffers harping on (just kidding!) about the value of Wills.
All right, I know I go on a bit about them - sob-sob!! ;) - but can't they be useful sometimes? So glad you found out the information you needed; now I wonder how they got to be such friends???

The phantom harper-on of Charlbury

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Linda,

I was wondering why you hadn't written about You-know-who before now! I notice that you didn't mention his name, so neither will I ....... but he'll never be forgotten by us will he? :)

[Linda]

now I wonder how they got to be such friendsNow that's the strangest thing Geoffers. When the soldier wrote his Will in 1914 he would have been about 29 years old, whereas my grandad would only have been 17 years old. Indeed, he was a minor when the will was proved :confused: . But that's another story isn't it, and I doubt that we will ever know the answer to that - unless of course, there is someone living who knew my grandad (I certainly didn't!) and that my grandad told the story of this brave soldier.


I notice that you didn't mention his name, so neither will I
OK Diane I don't mind naming the soldier....WILSON COOPER, D.C.M, no.7335 Durham Light Infantry....he dedicated most of his life fighting for his country.

Linda

[Linda]

And by the way, as well as the garlic soup lady;) , Mythology and Diane (and her late Aunty Joyce) are amongst those "friends in England" who helped me with my research. (As well as our lurker friend, but I don't know if he lurks here)


Thanks again - where would I be without you! |bowdown|

Linda