Army ancestor

All matters military, militia, regiments and the like. Army, Navy, Air Force etc.

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searcher 52
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:46 pm
Location: Paisley

Army ancestor

Post by searcher 52 » Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:39 pm

I have a relative who is buried in the Western Necropolis in Glasgow. When I saw his grave many years ago I seem to recall that he had a "military" headstone. He died in 1921 and the cause of his death is stated as Sub acute infective endocarditis. His widow who reported the death has him designed as Tramcar Motorman, Army pensioner. I understand he saw action in WW1 in Palestine and may have contracted malaria, but that is more hearsay than based on hard evidence.

Query...
1. Is there any significance in the "military" headstone and if so what?
2. Assuming he did see action is there a source for more detailed information?
3. Any other avenues I might pursue?

I'm sure this is meet and drink to all you experts!

Andrew

DavidWW
Posts: 5057
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:47 pm

Re: Army ancestor

Post by DavidWW » Sun Aug 19, 2007 6:55 pm

searcher 52 wrote:I have a relative who is buried in the Western Necropolis in Glasgow. When I saw his grave many years ago I seem to recall that he had a "military" headstone. He died in 1921 and the cause of his death is stated as Sub acute infective endocarditis. His widow who reported the death has him designed as Tramcar Motorman, Army pensioner. I understand he saw action in WW1 in Palestine and may have contracted malaria, but that is more hearsay than based on hard evidence.

Query...
1. Is there any significance in the "military" headstone and if so what?
2. Assuming he did see action is there a source for more detailed information?
3. Any other avenues I might pursue?

I'm sure this is meet and drink to all you experts!

Andrew
I'd suggest a search on the Commonwealth Graves Commission website.....

When searching, note that the search should only be on the basis of the initial for the given name.

David

Currie
Posts: 3924
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:20 am
Location: Australia

Post by Currie » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:59 am

Hello Searcher, (aren't we all)

The Australian situation, where I come from, as I understand it, is that a veteran whose death after the war was attributed to war service or who was totally and permanently incapacited because of war service or who was a POW or a VC winner etc. would have their grave and headstone supplied by the Office of Australian War Graves. Any other veterens are entitled to have the relevant military badge inscribed on their gravestone or whatever.

I imagine something similar would apply in the United Kingdom.

World War One medal cards can give information about Unit and periods served etc. See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... medals.asp

Service records of some WW1 soldiers, in particular those who applied for pensions etc., are available here http://content.ancestry.co.uk/iexec/?ht ... 3a7858%3a0

More info in the 'Sticky'
viewtopic.php?t=3570

Hope this helps,
Alan

EDIT: Here's an interesting little story you can read. http://www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/oneson.htm

apanderson
Posts: 395
Joined: Fri May 27, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Stirlingshire

Post by apanderson » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:57 pm

Hello Andrew,

I've just finished photographing all the stones I can find in the Western Necroplis bearing the names of men/women killed in WW1 or WW2.

I can't guarantee I have a photo of your ancestor's gravestone but if you'd like to post his details, or if you'd rather send me a PM, I can check.

When you say a 'Military' stone, do you mean a CWGC stone? The ones which you see in all the War Cemeteries?

If it is a CWGC stone, then the person's death is definately recognised as War related. Although we generally think of the Great War as being 1914 - 18, the deaths listed go right up to the end of 1921.

As David said, the CWGC Website would give you a lot more information.

Another site to have a look at might be: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com (The Great War Forum) There's not much the folks on there don't know about WW1!

Anne