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Gemma don't think Mary has got back to us yet

Has Mary started a thread? I'm still finding it hard to navigate these boards easily. If she has could you post the linky thing on here for me please.

Daft I know. :( xx

Hi Mary -start a thread with all the info you have - we are here to help you!!

Dea x

Mary sounds like you have tried all avenues but have you put a message out on this site giving all the details you know about him. Maybe?? someone can suggest somewhere else to search. I only googled and came across the site that has given Gemma the info she needed to find her man.

Gemma, I have his birth certificate, his parents, his address at the time but all I can get is 3 'possibles'. The names are right and they all died fighting in France but there is no dob or address, though all are from the same area. I have spent years and feel so very frustrated that I usually don't think about it. The WGC could not find anything. At 19 he did not have wife or family to claim a pension so that is ruled out. I have contacted the two regiments he was in and none of them have him either. Learning to give up is a hard gut-wrenching thing, but somebody has to do it.

there are medal roll cards on ancestry.
I have read on here that army records are free to search on Ancestry through November so don't know if this includes Medal roll cards.
J Smith and army number will find them

I am sure they would Gemma - I believe these things usually take around 6 weeks to sort nd you would have to give proof but they are always interested to hear from relatives and add further info if they can.

Best of luck,

Dea x

WOW! I've just done that its great isn't it. The cwgc site doesn't list wife or children etc. Do you think if I wrote to them that they might add it on? xx

Yes - there is a 'lovely' photo of the cemetery memorial on cwgc site and you can print off a memorial certificate from there also.

Dea x

yes go to the site Gemma and find this entry then you can look at photos if you open the memorial link at the bottom of the entry

Cheers John. I failed history miserably and know vertually nothing about the war at all. Now it's time to look into it I think. xx

Cheers for that too Janice. They do pictures of some of the memorials too don't they. Oh my.

Thats 3 different puzzles that I've been working on for months I've put on the site the last 3 days and every one has been solved within just a few hours. xx

KIA= Killed in Action.
Givenchy is probably the place where he was killed.
A corporal is not classed as an officer . if he had been he would have been awarded a Cross As an "other erank" he was awarded a.Medal.

John

From cwgc site same service number
Name: SMITH, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: South Staffordshire Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Date of Death: 10/03/1915
Service No: 6250
Awards: D C M
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 21 and 22.
Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL

I was wondering that but decided - Killed in Action at Givenchy lès la Bassée, N. France would seem to 'fit the bill'?

Dea x

Think Kia Givenchy is in France

Gemma i am so pleased you got an answer from that sight and know know a bit more about him

Has anybody any ideas what "KIA GIVENCHY" means?
The LM with the dates is obviously where it was reported in the Lichfield Mercury and the same with WO is Walsall Observer.
And being a CPL that would mean he was classes as an officer?
I can't put into words how I feel. I can't say thankyou enough. xx

SO pleased for you Gemma and Well Done Janice !!

I am off to have a look at that site!

Dea x

I love you people. Writting this in tears of Joy. From the website Janice suggested. Thankyou so much my darling Janice. xxx

KIA GIVENCHY. SON OF MR & MRS E SMITH, 11 LITTLETON ST. EAST, WALSALL, STAFFS. H’D OF MRS SMITH. DARNFORD COTTAGES, WHITTINGTON, STAFFS. ELDER BROTHER HARRY SMITH ALSO SERVED. BN. WALSALL, STAFFS. EN. WALSALL, STAFFS. REGULAR, 13 YEARS SERVICE. SERVED S.A.WAR. (LM 08.01.15) D.C.M. AWARDED. (LM 15.01.15) SERVED AS 6250 CPL, "B"CO.2ND BN.S.STAFFS.RGT., AWARDED D.C.M. RETURNED FROM TRENCHES UNDER FIRE TO GET AN AMBULANCE. (WO 20.02.15) AT FRONT SINCE 08.14. AWARDED D.C.M. AGED 34. (LM 22.01.15) DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT AT BECCELARE, PASSCHENDAELE RD., WHILST TAKING AN URGENT MESSAGE. (LM 09.04.15) DEATH REPORTED. (LM 16.04.15) REPORTED AS SHOT THROUGH HEAD WHILST LEADING HIS COMPANY. (WO 17.04.15) DEATH REPORTED.