Army Records Research

[Ironside]

This is true Lee, many of those who were in the mines before the war, saw it as an escape, only to be replaced by many young lads who signed up but didn't actually know what would there destiny would ultimately be.

I would like to see the the lads who were in the Arctic convoy's finally get their campaingn medals this year. I was lucky enought to drink with them in the Sherlock a few years ago and as well as being top Gents, they fucking deserve it.

[Batch]

Thanks for the info Leefer,never knew that.

[Samdy Gray]

Samdy you may be aware but where your relly was buried was not likely where he was wounded...Le Havre was the main place where the badly wounded were taken after nearby fighting.

Yes, I realise that. I'd be interested to find out more about him, that forum looks useful. There seems to be one particular member over there who is tracing all of the Purton men so might see if I can contact him to see if he has any further info on him.

[leefer]

This is true Lee, many of those who were in the mines before the war, saw it as an escape, only to be replaced by many young lads who signed up but didn't actually know what would there destiny would ultimately be.

I would like to see the the lads who were in the Arctic convoy's finally get their campaingn medals this year. I was lucky enought to drink with them in the Sherlock a few years ago and as well as being top Gents, they fucking deserve it.

My father in law(who died years back)went to Murmansk...he got medals and promptly binned them on his return....he wasn't in the merchant or navy but a marine(red beret) and my bro in law still has his beret.
He went on a few missions but travelled with the ships...like many he never talked much about it and he didn't feel proud of his actions but it disgusted him so much of the mens suffering(from both sides) he threw his medals away...of course this was WW2.

Sam, Grantowi on the forum is a Swindon lad and he tends to stick to local men of his research.....there is a good thread on there somewhere of all the football players who died.....Spurs being hardest hit during WW1.

[sonicyouth]

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=529200

Harvey Warren is my great grandfather on my mothers side.

Obviously he died very close to armistice, which is all my family really knew about his war involvement. As it transpires, I now live a few minutes walk from the house my grandfather was born in 1917. Not sure if he ever met his father. Nobody in the family realised my great grandfather lived in Kenilworth nor the fact my grandfather - who died when I was only 4 - was born here until I noticed the name on the war memorial.

[Ironside]

That's a bit different dude. There's a shit load of lads (who I was lucky enought to meet a couple of years ago), that basically got told (as you do when you sign up) that the were on the convoys.

Many of our lads died on them and I just think, having met many of the survivors, their sacrifice deserves the same level of recognigtion.

They were well up for a sing-song too :-)

[leefer]

Yes Sonic....he died in probably the last hurrah by the Germans....that battle(see cemetery details)was one of the last major battles of WW1.

[Bewster]

Chaps

Cheers for this - made interesting reading. Anyone who has any relatives that fought should be justifiably proud of them.

My gramps was in Egypt and my great uncle was in a jap POW camp - we still have his letters home. As with most he never really spoke about it but the little that I was told about the way he was treated was horrific.

As JJ said - we will remember them. I hope this sentiment isnt lost on the youth of today.

[leefer]

Great record.
And the words are very apt.......11 am tomorow in the eleventh month.
Two mins is the least they deserve

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_Day

And not forgetting our past players like Freddy Wheatcroft who gave the ultimate.