Looking for traces of my Grandfather's 2 brothers

[alysone]

My grandfather was one of 3 brothers and the only one to survive WW1. Everything I know about my 2 great uncles is contained in the following headings from the Haddingtonshire Courier of the time:

• Bird James, Sgt. Royal Scots, Aberlady, obit. 13 10 1916
  Bird James, Royal Scots, Aberlady, killed in action 13 10 19116
  Bird, Thomas, Scottish Rifles, Aberlady, killed in action 12 11 1915

Having done some background reading on this forum, I may have traced one of them at the GWWG's site. At least it could be: "Casualty Details
Unit: 12th Battalion Royal Scots
Service: Army
Service Number: 3978
Force Nationality: British Forces (image not held)
Rank/Appointment: Lance Serjeant
Commemorated at: Loos Memorial
Locality: Pas de Calais
Country: France
Other Details: 24th September 1915. Panel 10 to 13."
Then on a Scottish Casualty list, I may have found Thomas?
"BIRD Thomas 15435 11/05/1916 THE ROYAL SCOTS (LOTHIAN REGIMENT) Pte"
From this information (should it prove to be accurate) I am respectfully asking advice on how to proceed? Do I have any hope of learning more about their service records and deaths?

[JustJean]

Hi there

If your family was the one at Kilspindie in Alberlady for the 1901 census then this is certainly the record of their son Thomas from the CWGC website:

Name: BIRD, THOMAS
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Unit Text: 10th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 25/09/1915
Service No: 14139
Additional information: Son of James and Elizabeth Bird, of Blawearie, Longniddry, Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 57 to 59.
Memorial: LOOS MEMORIAL

I'm not certain what might exist for further records.

Best wishes
Jean

[alysone]

Yes, that is the right family!
That is simply awesome, Jean! Would you mind posting the link to CWGC or pm-ing to me? I turned around for ages at GWWG and never found him. I noticed sometimes photos can be provided for specific graves? Thanks so much, alysone

[JustJean]

Hi alysone

The Commonwealth War Graves site is found on the list of helpful websites right here on TalkingScot. Just click on the link to "Sources" at the top of this forum and you'll find it part way down the first column.

http://www.cwgc.org/ will also get you there!!

I had a look further for his brother James but the only one that looks likely is the data you already posted above and that record doesn't list any parent names or his age.

My only experience is in finding information on soldiers who survived the war.

There's lots of others around here who might be able to add further info or suggestions.

Welcome to talkingscot by the way!

Best wishes
Jean

[alysone]

You have been so helpful, Jean. I found the memorial moving, particularly since it included my great grandparents' names. On a more positive note, his death notice gave me another vital clue. "Longniddry". In my list of the Haddingtonshire Courier headlines, there were 2 others:

• Bird James, Longniddry, Golden wedding 20 10 1933
  Bird James, Longniddry, died 21 08 1942

So it is a comfort to see that James and Elizabeth shared a long life, despite their terrible losses. (The 3rd son, my grandfather, emigrated to Canada in 1927.)
What is the difference between a Lance Corporal and an ordinary Corporal or is there any?
Thanks for the welcome. I can see I will enjoy it here already! alysone

[JustJean]

Hi alysone

If you don't have it already....the DC for James Bird the father is found on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk indexed as:

1942 BIRD JAMES M 80 NEWINGTON EDINBURGH CITY/MIDLOTHIAN 685/06 0557

Best wishes
Jean

[AndrewP]

Hi Alysone,

He is also recorded in the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. The details are much the same as already found on the CWGC website.

http://www.snwm.org/

Surname: BIRD
Firstname: T
Service Number: 14139
Date Death: 25/09/1915
Other: 10th Bn.
SNWM roll: THE CAMERONIANS (SCOTTISH RIFLES)
Rank: L/Cpl
Theatre of death: France.

All the best,

AndrewP

[alysone]

Hi Jean,
I am a neophyte at this research. I have only been finding my way around scotlandspeople for one week. I had missed the fact that deaths as late as the 1950's were registered. With your help I went straight to it. It has given me quite a few new clues. Thanks ever so much. alysone

[StewL]

Alysone

The difference is in the rank itself:

Private
Lance Corporal
Corporal
Sergeant

Just a step up from private and one below corporal, a lance corporal may take on minor duties instead of corporal, but doesnt have the "kick" or authority that a corporal has

[djcrtoye]

Hi you could look them up on the National Archive site which will contain their medal index card that is when and where they served and any medals etc they were entitled to. The site addres is www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. It will cost £3.50 per record to download. Hope this helps.