WW1 death

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:45 pm

I'm trying to get a death cert for a relative who died in WW1. He is buried in Ayrshire so I assume he was brought back to the UK for treatment after being wounded.
On Scotlands people there are 2 entries in minor records that match but no images available (even though the FAQs say they should be). Going on the sample image they show the minor record would only have very basic info even if I get it.
There is also a matching record on the England/Wales BMD registers for Lambeth.

If he died in the UK would the death have been reported & registered as for any other death (England or Scotland) or would it still only be listed under the army returns?

thanks

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:10 pm

Hi Bryan
The several WW1 soldiers in my family who died are all Minor Return death entries, so no further info available on them. I found with one of them that the local paper's "deaths" column confirmed his parentage, so I was able to confirm he was one of mine, so that might be an area to explore.

I'm guessing you have already checked the CWGC site and the Scottish War Memorial Web site? Sometimes these give a wee bit more detail.

Best wishes
Lesley

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:55 pm

Lesley

I have him on CWGC and they list him as buried at Beith which is why I assume he died at a military hospital in the UK rather than France. As I understand it the only dead soldier ever repatriated was the Unknown Soldier.
He is not listed at SNWM which is why I'm trying to get a death cert (they want one on order to list him). As yet much googling hasn't revealed if a "proper" death registration would have been done had he died in the UK.
If all else fails I'll just take a chance on the Lambeth entry and see what comes.

thanks

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:53 pm

Well to answer my own question.

At least for England/Wales if a soldier died there then a full death certificate is available as for any other death - presume this would also apply to Scotland.

Having tried to get this one from GRO and failed because the index details are wrong I finally got it from Lambeth registrars.

Unusually for an E/W death cert it is very informative - it shows he died from blood poisoning following a GS wound (gunshot?) which severed the spinal cord. His death was 4-5 months after his wounding - not a great way to go. It gives place of death - general hospital 4 London and details of where he is from and regiment and number. All in all well worth the £7.

A letter is on its way to SNWM with what details I have so hopefully he should get listed soon.
For me it's back to books and google to see what else I can find on him.

apanderson · Post by **apanderson** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 11:24 pm

Hi Bryan,

You didn't give a name or what the link was to him being buried in Beith (unless I missed it).

The following is a link to the Beith War Memorial:

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtop ... warmemscot

If he's not there, he might be on a neighbouring village Memorial?

Anne

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:52 am

Thanks for that link Anne

Pte George McDonald (my great uncle) is on the Beith memorial - I had come across a listing of it somewhere else but not this one with photos.

George's family (originally from Glasgow) were living at Barrmill near Beith and I can only presume were given the choice to bring the body "home" rather than it being buried in London.

apanderson · Post by **apanderson** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:43 am

Glad to be of help Bryan.

You are free to copy any photos on the site and any other info which has been posted.

If you decide to join the site and then send a PM to the original poster - I'm sure they's be quite happy to send you high res. copies of the photos.

Anne

P.S. There is also a 'sister' site to this one: http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/i ... hwargraves
but Beith Cemetery hasn't been done yet, so no photos. Worth keeping a eye on though!

Bryan · Post by **Bryan** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:40 pm

Received a letter today from the Scottish National War Memorial to confirm that - 6529 Pte George McDonald, Royal Scots Fusiliers has been added to the roll of honour.

Will need to wait for the next update before the entry appears on the website but hopefully that shouldn't be too long - 92 years after he died what's another few weeks?