Genealogy Chat

Sorry - I thought from your wording he was on the Euryalus in the SECOND world war!

Thanks to everyone who offered their advice yesterday. Lay in bed last night going through lots of possibilities. I think I will try and concentrate on someone else for a while and hope that something comes to light. It often happens that something comes up that hadn't appeared important. Will update if any success as it is obviously useful for others doing the same thing. There was also a Euryalus in the 1st WW according to http://www*battleships-cruisers*co*uk/cressy_class.htm If nothing else I have learnt a lot about the 1st WW! Jennie

HMS Euryalus was a Dido-class cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 6 June 1939, and commissioned 30 June 1941. She was scrapped in 1959. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Euryalus_%2842%29

I knew he was registered in 1st qtr 1998. I don't have his birth cert as I know who his parents were and where he was born etc/ Imagine how my grandmother felt when her son, my father, went to war having lost a brother in the 1st WW and another brother and brother-in-law in 2nd WW. She must have been frantic. Jennie

Just to confuse matters a bit. There is another photo supposedly of his brother-who I know died in the 2nd WW. Also in naval uniform but with a hatband HMS Euryalus. He was killed minesweeping in a trawler on Christmas Eve. I think there have been several ships named Euryalus so probably not a lot of help. Shall have to go again now, but will check back later. Jennie

There was really only one great Fleet action in World War One, and that was Jutland in 1916. I wonder whether he was present at the battle on one of the ships that was sunk. Having survived, he may have been so disturbed by the experience that he transferred to the Army. By the way, what's the betting his birth date was December 25th 1897?

There was really only one great Fleet action in World War One, and that was Jutland in 1916. I wonder whether he was present at the battle on one of the ships that was sunk. Having survived, he may have been so disturbed by the experience that he transferred to the Army. By the way, what's the betting his birth date was December 25th 1897?

There was really only one great Fleet action in World War One, and that was Jutland. I wonder whether he was present at the battle on one of the ships that was sunk. Having survived, he may have been so disturbed by the experience that he transferred to the Army. By the way, what's the betting his birth date was December 25th 1897?

I'm the one supposed to be doing the garden-it is raining tho! Jennie

The hatband would in peacetime have the name of the ship, but in wartime the name would be removed for security purposes. I don't know how often people transferred between services. Transferring between regiments was common enough as stated previously, but Navy to Army? Seems unlikely. Are you sure these are the same individual or perhaps brothers? The photo may reveal clues. Is it a studio shot? Can you see insignia on his uniform? What's in the background? What's on the back of the photo?

Paul, don't feel too sorry for me -there is only one at home now! Will look on the paying sites on Monday-when fewer people to ask what I'm doing. Thanks for all the suggestions. I am following them up slowly. Jennie

His birth was registered in Yarmouth in qtr 1 of 1898. He was called Robert Christmas Watson.(Not many of that name about so that is fairly conclusive) His death off Jutland was family rumour-possibly as no one knew how he died something had to be suggested to tell to people. My father insists that he was in the Norfolk Regiment as all the young men joined that one-which ties in with the medal info. Just to confuse the issue a bit more. there is a photo of him as a young man wearing naval uniform with a generic HMS hatband-this could have been taken before the war. Don't think any of that is much use but if it helps I would be grateful. Jennie

Well done Jennie. I'm sure with a brood of five you've got your hands full. That's why you need our assistance!

Sorry, didn't know this was going to generate much interest and went and did something else... Will put in everything I know in a moment. Jennie

Merry, I don't think we should put any more effort into this until we've had some answers to our questions. I'm sure we could answer this very quickly but we need some facts to start with. We can't do this while key information is being witheld.

I am worried......How do you know you have the right medal card? I wasn't quite sure what you meant about the middle initial? You said his name was Robert, but you have the medal card for Robert C Watson?? Have you got the birth cert for your Robert? Have you checked the next of kin details on the CWGC site (those that have them!) in the hope of a match to his birth record? There are over 120 R Watson's killed in WW1 who were UK citizens. Did he have a middle name? Merry

The soldier who died on 7th June 1917 from the 9th Royal Irish Rifles was almost certainly a casualty of the battle of Messines, as the regiment shows a lot of casualties for that day. Medal card of Watson, Robert C Corps Regiment No Rank Norfolk Regiment 26730 Private Royal Irish Rifles 9/41386 Private I still don't see how this can be connected with somebody who died off Jutland. Can you explain your reasoning?

Have you got a place of birth for him?? I am looking at the possibles on soldiers that died in the great war AND there are a LOT of R and Robert Watsons!!! Deb

This is very confusing. You said that your ancestor died off Jutland, now you say he is buried in France. I think you need to give us the complete details you hold and maybe then we can help. The latest information you give is: Name: WATSON Initials: R C Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Rifleman Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Rifles Unit Text: 9th Bn. Date of Death: 07/06/1917 Service No: 41386 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. C. 224. Cemetery: BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION (NORD) Bailleul is a large town in France, near the Belgian border. It became an important railhead, air depot and hospital centre, with Casualty Clearing Stations quartered in it for considerable periods. It was a corps headquarters until July 1917, a month after your ancestor died, when it was severely bombed and shelled, and after the Battle of Bailleul (13-15 April 1918), it fell into German hands and was not retaken until 30 August 1918. The extension was used until April 1918, and again in September, and after the Armistice graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields. It contains 4,403 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.

Hi Jennie, You can also search 'Soldiers died in the great war' on 1837online, I found all my ancestors that died in ww1 on there. It gives a little bit more info too such as where enlisted and place of birth and residence...it's well worth a look! Deb