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William Mitchell of Whitby, Yorkshire 1897 -1922

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Julia

Julia Report 2 Apr 2020 13:13

Can anyone help with my search for the service details and the story of William Mitchell. Details from the family are sketchy. He was the son of Esther (nee Hovington) and John Mitchell of Whitby, Yorkshire. He was known in the family as Billie. The story in the family is that he was in the Great War which he survived but that he died in 1922 as a result of an illness caused by exposure caused by several days on a raft. I do know that there were others with him but I don't know any more than that.
I would be so grateful for any assistance anyone can give with this either with actual information or pointing me in the right direction. I don't have access to service records as part of my annual subscription.
Many thanks.

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 2 Apr 2020 14:09

Is this his death? :-

First name(s) WILLIAM
Last name MITCHELL
Gender Male
Birth day -
Birth month -
Birth year 1898
Age 24
Death quarter 1
Death year 1922
District Whitby
County Yorkshire
Volume 9D
Page 723
Country England
Record set England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007

The death certificate would give you a cause of death.

Have we looked for him before as I have accessed this record previously according to Findmypast?

Kath. x

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 2 Apr 2020 14:13

This could be his service medal roll:-

First name(s) William
Last name Mitchell
Birth year 1897
Birth place as transcribed Whitby
Birth place Whitby
Birth county -
Birth country -
Year -
Link to site http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8070008
Source Registry of Shipping and Seamen: Index of First World War Mercantile Marine Medals and the British War Medal
Archive reference BT 351/1/98459
Medal type Merchant Navy Medal Index Cards, 1914-1920
Record set Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Medal Rolls and Honours
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

It looks as if his service record must be one of the ones destroyed. Only about 30% have survived.

Kath. x

Julia

Julia Report 2 Apr 2020 15:11

Hi Kathleen
Thank you for your help. I have asked for help in the past searching for information about William's father. Would that explain it? I will look at the National Archives site you recommend. Once again thank you.

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 2 Apr 2020 16:41

Earlier thread about William:

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/military_chat/thread/1375604

Researching:
Old genealogists never die.....they just lose their census.

Julia

Julia Report 2 Apr 2020 17:59

ArgyllGran
Thankyou I had completely forgotten this previous request.