Genealogy Chat

Thanks for that Snow Drop. Just been feeding the 5 thousand with fishfingers and chips. Our local Historian, Hugh Murray, has just e-mailed me with the details of my great great grandmothers death and burial. She was my great grandfather`s mother so i am very very happy on that. It is worth every penny when results turn up!! I will try that web site later on tonight when i get some peace and quiet. Just been getting the car ready for it`s medical. Vanessa

Vanessa, Let's try again (just been out for the school run myself!) Here's the Harrogate branch, which I know isn't so far away from you (I live there!) http://harrogate.legionbranches.net/ Snowdrops

Hi Helen and Loopy. Thankyou for explaining all that to me. I was in two minds as to weather he was in the armed forces or not. I am having trouble finding our local branch. It must be somewhere. I was hoping that the branch may still have records dating back to my great grandfathers time and been able to tell me which services he was in. I have been studying his death certificate and the address that he died at was the local work house. This suprised me because i thought they were long gone before then. I was lucky to have our local historian,Hugh Murray and his sociaty of friends passing on the info of his burial. That is how i found out who paid for the funneral. Vanessa

I don't know if this will be of help to you Vanessa, but my late father was heavily involved in our local Legion branch. It is likely that your great grandfather was an ex-service man and possibly a Legion member. The have a charitable side and will make donations of pay for items that ex-service man need, but are unable to pay for themselves. This also applies to widows of ex-service men and it may be that, for whatever reason, the family was unable to pay for a funeral and the charity side paid instead. Alternatively he may have been involved with his local branch and the funeral was paid for as a mark of respect for work or fundraising. When my Dad died, we paid for his cremation, but as a mark of respect for his fund raising over the years, the Legion paid for a book of rememberence entry featuring an illuminated RBL badge which is quite stunning to look at. Helen

Hi Vanessa If you grandad was a member of the legion, it is possible that if he died without any money, the welfare committee of his local branch may well have helped out with the costs and if so, they should have the records Regards Looby Whoops!! sorry should read a whole thread before jumping in - sorry they don't keep the records long enough

I`m sure it would have done. Talking of drinks i think i will put the kettle on now for a caffine break! Thanks again. Vanessa

Naughty 118 dot com - not keeping their records up to date, I'm sure a drink would have gone down well with him though!!!! Snowdrops

Snow drop!!! I phoned that number and got The Tadcaster social club!! They told me the british legion no longer exsists. GREAT GRANDDAD??!!!!!!!!! I`m sure he`s up there laughing at me now!! Vanessa

Thanks Janet. I will try that. Vanessa. Snowdrop. I will call that number now and see what happens there. Vanessa

Well it was worth a try!! They only keep records for 5 years then have them distroyed. I`m gutted!!!! Thankyou Linda and Snow drop. Vanessa

Vanessa, Here's the one for York: Tel: 01937 833498 49 Chapel Street, York Snowdrops

I had the same problem a couple of years ago Vanessa, may i suggest that you go to your nearest B/L and ask them for help. I do know that the British Legion do attend funerals of the old soldiers and that they also have funds to help the needy who have served their country.

Thanks snow drop. I live in York. I will give them both a try. You never know what will come up. Vanessa

Thank you linda. It seems i need new glasses. i miss read the 8 for a 6. Will try it now. Vanessa

Vanessa, Not sure which area of Yorkshire you are after but I've found this one for you - there are many more and if you ring this one they will put you in the right direction. Tel: 01943 830507 149 Main Street, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 0LZ Snowdrops

For all general enquiries please contact Legionline on 08457 725 725 Open 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday, all calls charged at local rates. is this the one you tried? Linda

I may be pulling at straws here but i need some information please. Does anyone know the telephone or updated website of the Royal british legion? Yorkshire area if possible. I have e-mailed the web site that is already on but had no response.I have just tried to phone the telephone number on the web site but it is not in use now. I am trying to find out what my great grand father had to do with the british legion. They paid for his funaral in 1938. Vanessa