Genealogy Chat

I have three members of my family who all died in the First World War. Two of them I had no difficultly in finding on the cwgc site, but one is not mentioned. I know when he died, rank, age, regiment, but he does not seem to appear on the site. Has anyone else had a similar problem or any ideas as to what I am missing?

No some soilders that died later or of wounds here are not listed, most librarys have a cd of the dead of the great war that is more complete, i know some will give examples of relies that died at home from injuries being on the cwwg site, but there a lot that are not on.

I am led to believe that he was 'killed in action in France'. Perhaps that wasn't quite the case. Thanks for the tip, I'll see what I can find in the library. Regards Leigh

Someone buried in a churchyard in Kent is on the cwgc site. Joy

Hello Leigh. If you would like to send me the details of the missing one I'll look him up. If not on CWGC he should be 'gettable from the 1837'. Regards. Keith

I have also wondered if this site just covers the graves that the CWGC has purchased. What is someone is buried in a family grave? Crista

Hello Hmmmm, I actually know all of this information from a family headstone in Scotland. I assume that this was just the familys own memorial to the brothers. (They really were bad times). Unfortunately, I don't have all the details with me at the moment Keith. When I do, I'll give you a shout if thats ok. Cheers Leigh

Leigh Can you post the details then maybe one of us can look a bit further for you? Ian

Leigh To answer your original question - the more you research the more you come to realise that no list is ever complete or free of mistakes. From personal experience the CWGC website listings do sometimes omit names. In that case, if you really want further info then contact CWGC themselves. I've not done it for a while, but if I remember they will check free of charge for a genuine relative, but charge if you are a researcher. Ian

The CWGC also lists civilian war dead. My first encounter with the site was regarding my father's aunt who was killed due to arms testing (which went wrong) on Hackney Marshes in 1944.

It is not just those who died in action who are on the cwgc site. My great uncle Thomas Shipley is on the site with full details, but he died in Liverpool 7th Nov.1918 and is buried in Anfield cemetery. His death certificate says he died from TB, but family legend has it that he died of war wounds, and he IS on the cwgc site! Incidentally, I have come across many war graves in country cemeteries--perhaps we should all record these when we find them and start a central database of some kind. By the way, Thomas Shipley IS on the cwgc site but NOT on the "Soldiers died WW1" CD! Wendy

I have 2 soldiers I can't find on CWGC and in the past have received lots of tips from lovely GC people. I emailed CWGC and they did a free search for me within a few days, also checking out Soldiers of the Great War for me. Unfortunately it's not the right person....but they were very helpful. There is also a site that lists more recently discovered bodies and mistakes (I've checked them all!) Have now come to the conclusion that either my soldiers' records were destroyed in WW2 at the PRO or they were mistranscribed. I am hot on that trail now. Good Luck!

Hello and many thanks for all the replies! The details I have are: Thomas Miller, PTE, A&S.H (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders - I believe). Killed in Action in France, 23 April 1917, aged 23 years. If anyone else can see anything, I will be grateful (as well as feeling rather dim!). If not, I'll try contacting the CWGC directly. Thank you Leigh

Leigh Soldiers Died in the Great War lists 70 Thomas Millers killed in WW1. Of these, two are down for 23/4/17: L/Cpl 40714 Thomas Miller 2bn Royal Scots Fusiliers Born Hanley, Staffs. Enlisted Glasgow. Pvte 291962 Thomas Miller 7bn Black Watch Born Selkirk, enlisted Galashiels. The RSF Thos Miller is shown on CWGC as aged 25. The Black Watch Thos Miller does not have an age shown. There is another Thos Miller of the Kings Royal Rifles, aged 23 but a different date of death. There is yet another, in the Argylls, a Private Thos Brown Miller, but he is aged 31 and date of death 31/7/17. He was born at Larbert, and enlisted at Stenhousemuir. All are shown on the CWGC website. Any pointers from the above that lead to your man? Ian

Hello Ian Many thanks for having a look! He was from Selkirk!!!! Your info said that he was part of the 'Black Watch' rather than the A & SH. Perhaps that is a mistake or he changed regiments? I will go and have a look at the site again to view these details........ Many many thanks! Leigh

Amongst others, I have a relative that is buried in Ipswich, that is in the CWGC, he died in Ipswich, not abroad, and he died of war wounds and TB. Have seen in Mistley Essex Graveyard, 3 CWGC. 2 brothers from WW1, died different dates , and in new area another youngster, who died in last 15 years of so. Can't remeber the date. Liz

Ian I have found the entry, but couldn't see where it mentioned his home town and where he enlisted? Could you point me in the right direction please? Thanks again for all your help with this! Leigh

Leigh Sorry, should make it clearer. I have searched the data base on cd for 'Soldiers died in the Great War' which can give such info as where born, where enlisted, where resident. CWGC only gives what you have already seen. I should have said that these men were a l s o on CWGC! Pvte 291962 Thomas Miller was in the 7th (Fife) Battalion (Territorial) of the Black Watch. Usually it also notes (and often so does CWGC) whether they were formerly in another regiment. In this case both sources only quote the Black Watch. Now, that does not mean he was not in the A S H. He may well have been transferred shortly before he was killed, and his records not updated in time. There were often transfers of men between battalions and regiments, to make up lost numbers. I have seen that quite frequently, having extensively researched my own Grandad's WW1 service. Many of the casualties in his battalion (7th Seaforth Highlanders) were drafts from other regiments, including the A S H. Where to go from now? Check the above Thos Miller with CWGC to see if they have any further information. Check local newspaper archives from his home town - probably in the local library. Often there were casualty listings each week, sometimes even with photos of the casualties. Check National Archives for medal entitlement roll (becoming searchable on-line). His service records may (30-40 percent chance) have survived but it would probably pay to have a professional researcher look for you. That's all I can think of. Good hunting, Ian

I've been looking for an Albert Edward Dipple born 1892 in West Ham, was told by family he died in war aged about 25 - can't find him anywhere/ Any ideas Sorry Leigh did'nt mean to pinch your thread was just reading all your replies and got a bit carried away :-( Maggie

All your help is very much appreciated Ian! Thank you! I willl see what I can find. I now have 4 people from my family who were killed during WW1 and all buried or commemorated around the Arras area. Including the three brothers I have mentioned here. The other one was my grandmothers brother. A few years ago, I visited the cemetary where he was commemorated. His body was never identified. Two of his brothers were then killed during WW2, one in Tunisia and the other made it home but died as a result of injuries. It really does make you think! Maggie, not a problem! That's what this site is all about. All the best Leigh