Military Chat

Would like to find out if he survived WW1. His DOB was 1896 Bethnal Green, London. He joined up in 1916 to theDurham Light Infantry but that is all I know. Have searched for him unsuccessfully, any help would be appreciated.

Only 3 records for a D or David Fitzgerald shown on
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx?cpage=1

David Fitzgerald
Rank:Lance Corporal
Service No: 7356
Date of Death: 23/11/1917
Age: 19
Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Rifles 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 10.
Memorial: CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL
Additional Information:
Son of Robert and Maggie Fitzgerald, of Upper Ballysillan, Ligoniel, Belfast.

D Fitzgerald
Rank: Private
Service No: 63239
Date of Death: 09/04/1918
Age:26
Regiment/Service:Welsh Regiment "D" Coy. 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference: III. A. 11.
Cemetery:
BEUVRY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fitzgerald of 5, Aubrey Terrace, Cowbridge

D Fitzgerald
Rank:Private
Service No:629
Date of Death:16/11/1918
Age:24
Regiment/Service:Welsh Guards1st Bn.
Grave Reference:III. G. 17.
Cemetery: AWOINGT BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of James and Catherine Fitz Gerald, of Cork; husband of Ellen Fitzgerald, of 57, Taff St., Merthyr Vale, Glam.

Unless any of the relatives match with the info you have, there's a good chance that he survived.

Although over 70% of full WW1 records were destroyed during WW2, if you can give us the service number, we can check if his escaped the fire.

Do you have his full date of birth? Have you looked on the 1939 Register?

I have a number 5693, would this be the service number? Only have year of birth so far as 1896 and haven't checked the 1939 register. Looked on marriages but no luck there either.

Where did you get 5693 from? Nothing coming up for him with that Regt No in WW1.

Do you have the family on the 1911 census?

This one was in the Durham LI:


Name:David Fitzgerald

ilitary Year:1914-1920
Rank:Private
Medal Awarded:British War Medal and Victory Medal
Regiment or Corps:Durham Light Infantry
Regimental Number:TR5/77079
Sub Unit:Training Reserve
Previous Units:1st West Yorks 6257 Pte

Another possibility:


David Edward Fitzgerald

Military Year:
1914-1920

Rank:
Private

Medal Awarded:
British War Medal and Victory Medal

Regiment or Corps:
Durham Light Infantry

Regimental Number:
6/2008

Previous Units:
1/6th Durh. L.I. 6/2008. Pte.

but I think he was born in Hoghton le Spring

I have a blurred copy of his short service and there is a number at the top of 5693, presumably the regimental number, then his name then Corp, but this is undecipherable. It is him as the address is the family address, 3 Princes Court, Bethnal Green. I could not find him on the 1911 census

1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
3 Princes Court Bethnal Green, Bethnal Green, London, England

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Household Members
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Occupation Age Birth year Birth place
Mary Fitzgerald Head Married Female - 53 1858 Spitalfields
Transcription
Bella Fitzgerald Daughter Single Female Bon Bon Maker 23 1888 City
Transcription
Sarah Fitzgerald Daughter Single Female Rag Sorter 21 1890 City

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Block a Buildings, 21, Lisbon Street, Bethnal Green, London, England

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Household Members
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
John Fitzgerald Head Married Male 43 1858 Dock Labourer City of London, Middlesex, England
Transcription
Mary Fitzgerald Wife Married Female 41 1860 - Spitalfields, Middlesex, England
Transcription
Isabella Fitzgerald Daughter - Female 13 1888 - City of London, Middlesex, England
Transcription
Sarah Fitzgerald Daughter - Female 11 1890 - City of London, Middlesex, England
Transcription
Eliza Fitzgerald Daughter - Female 9 1892 - Spitalfields, Middlesex, England
Transcription
James Fitzgerald Son - Male 8 1893 - Spitalfields, Middlesex, England
Transcription
David Fitzgerald Son - Male 5 1896 - Spitalfields, Middlesex, England

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1333135?page=0

(below, from above relating)

Chris :)


ArgyllGran Report 22 Oct 2013 22:23

David's in the army in 1916.

British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 about David Fitzgerald
Name: David Fitzgerald
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Age at enlistment: 20
Residence: 3 Princes Court, B G
Document Year: 1916
Regimental Number: 5693
Regiment Name: Durham Light Infantry
Number of images: 8


Address is the same as mother and sisters in 1911:


1911 England Census about Sarah Fitzgerald
Name: Sarah Fitzgerald
Age in 1911: 21
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1890
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Civil Parish: Bethnal Green
County/Island: London
Country: England
Street Address: 3 Princes Court, Bethnal Green
Marital Status: Single
Occupation: SORTER
Registration District: Bethnal Green
Registration District Number: 17
Sub-registration District: Bethnal Green South West
ED, institution, or vessel: 27
Piece: 1444
Household Members:
Name Age
Mary Fitzgerald 53 - 9 children, 2 deceased.
Bella Fitzgerald 23 - bon bon maker
Sarah Fitzgerald 21

David Fitzgerald appears to have survived WW1, he was discharged 28 January 1919. Address for pay was 3 Princes Court, Bethnal Green.

At the time of discharge he was in the 29th battalion London Regiment and his service number was then 783235 (he'd been transferred from the DLI to the London regiment in July 1918. This is from the service records referenced above).

He never served overseas which is probably why I can't find a medal card for him. Seems to have spent most of his time in the reserves.

Thank you very grateful

No problem Karrie.

A big coincidence but when I read your post I'd just got back from the Durham Light Infantry museum (which closes next week).

:-) would you let me know where are the records kept, thanks as I had no luck when searching for David.