Genealogy Chat

Just a note of encouragement to never give up searching !

I googled over the Christmas break when I had had enough of turkey and entertaining ............ great uncle's name and Navy roll number from his naval records which I got from National Archives. Couldn't believe my eyes.

Found that his medals are in an auction coming up soon so brother and I are going to put in a bid to try and get them back in the family........ wonder who had them and why, how did they come by them..........so many questions. Still don't know much about him but hope we are successful in our bid... Wonder what was it that prompted me to search just at this time?

Jan

Hi Jan
I would say devine intervention (brilliant), your great uncle really wants his medals back where they belong. Probably sold originally out of disinterest or simply because they were worth something which is quite sad. I do hope you and your brother are lucky enough to get the medals back.
Good Luck. Carol

Let us know how you get on :)

We shall see, probably some collector will pip us at the post which would be sad.

I know where and when he was born, that he was in the navy for years, was on HMS Newcastle in Hong Kong on the night of the 1911 census and was, when he retired from the navy a Chief Ship's Cook. I haven't managed to find out if he married, if he had any children or when and where he died and now have no one left to ask. v frustrating !!

I had wondered if he had gone abroad, but now that the medals have turned up in the UK I am pretty sure he must have died here at least. Strange how all these twists and turns happen.

Jan

Just to let you know that the auction was yesterday and our bid was successful.

So great uncle Colin's WW1 naval medals are heading back to the family

I am well chuffed !

Jan

Oh that's brilliant Janet!
And so amazing that you found them that way, I'm so pleased for you and your brother!

Best wishes,

Cathy

It's amazing on the auction house site (Lockdales......have a look) how many medals etc there are up for sale.

I know there are people who collect these things but there must be people on this site who have these very same men on their trees.

Jan

Wow Janet

Well done, very pleased for you. Hoped you would let us all know.
Bye Carol

what a lovely story, It has made me wonder who has my grandfathers medals and my various uncles??? Where did yo look to find yours?

As I said in original post I knew his name and date of birth and got his navy number from his naval records which I found on the National Archives site.

Then a google of the name and number turned up the 'lot' which comprised his medals on an auction site on the web. My brother was then able to put in an internet bid.

Do you have your grandfathers and uncles military papers ( how old are we talking ? WW1 there are some on ancestry and national archives) you could try doing what I did and see what comes up ? WW2 a bit more difficult to get hold of

Jan

So pleased for you Janet :)

Thats great. My hubbies great grandads are in the regimental museum. We would love them but we know we will never have them.
I even offered to get some replacements for them but they said no.

That's a shame but I suppose at least you know where they are and can go and look/take a photo ?

On a mission now to reunite all these families with their ancestors' medals!

Jan

good luck with that Janet

OK two years on I have today found this

Free Reg has a marriage entry

http://www.freereg.org.uk/cgi/SearchResults.pl?RecordType=Marriages&RecordID=2295148

age of groom within a year of correct
grooms occupation absolutely correct
fathers name and occupation correct
The witnesses both married in 1913 and Colin Campbell was a witness to their marriage ( is on Ancestry London marriages

I think it must be correct , any words of caution as if correct I have probably found another living relative too

Jan

County Kent
Place Gillingham
Church St Augustine's
RegisterNumber 41
MarriageDate 02 May 1921
GroomForename Colin
GroomSurname CAMPBELL
GroomAge 32
GroomParish
GroomCondition Bachelor
GroomOccupation Chief Petty Officer
GroomAbode Upper Milton Road Gillingham
BrideForename Kate Edith
BrideSurname WRIGHT
BrideAge 26
BrideParish
BrideCondition Spinster
BrideOccupation
BrideAbode Upper Milton Road Gillingham
GroomFatherForename Colin
GroomFatherSurname CAMPBELL
GroomFatherOccupation Chief Engineer Mercantile Marine
BrideFatherForename Edeard
BrideFatherSurname WRIGHT
BrideFatherOccupation Carrier
WitnessOneForename Adolphus Richard
WitnessOneSurname RENWICK
WitnessTwoForename Elizabeth Ann
WitnessTwoSurname RENWICK
Notes Both signed. Married by Licence
FileNumber 20248

Double check the entry against the image on www.cityark.medway.gov.uk

http://goo.gl/PqChv

If you're happy, we're happy ;-)

Hi Detective

I remembered about the Medway archives on line and found the image once I knew the right church

Got to be doesn't it ? I am thrilled as Ive been looking for this for ages. There is a death record and a probate entry on Ancestry from 1944 , lived in Kent died in Surrey ....might need to send for the cert to find out why.

Adolphus was also in Navy so guess one of his mates.

Never give up eh?

One other thing

Chief Engineer Mercantile Marine, does that just mean he was in Merchnat Navy or was there a shipping company called Mercantile Marine ?

J

It means he was in the Merchant Navy.
They often say Mercantile Marine - I've no idea why.

I see a possible daughter born in Medway district in 1922.

Someone called Robert has her in his tree on here.

Rose