soldiers who died

[roberthenry]

Les reading the Victoria Cross Forum I see you own a copy of Soldiers who died and I wonder if you could tell me what information it holds on

Jackson Burns 2573 Driver Royal Field Artillery died 27/09/1916

Great Uncle on my Mothers side

Samuel Hugh Henry 76135 Bombardier Royal Field Artillery died 18/10/1918

Great Uncle on my Fathers side

Many Thanks
R Henry

[Les]

No problem-o!

Details per the SDGW CD are below for both.

Jackson BURNS

[Les]

Samuel HENRY

[roberthenry]

Thank you Les, Your CD gives very similar information to the CWGC. Both men, according to the Army Records office come under "The burnt records" although apparently a lot of information has been retrieved in the last few years. I was hoping some of it may have been on your CD

Isnt it wonderful, I was asked by my grandmother when my grandfather died in 1984 if I would be interested in THESE OLD MEDALS and when I said My Grandfathers, she said yes theres his and his brothers who was killed in the war, and that was the first I had heard of a Great Uncle who never made it. Amongst them there was a Croix de Guerre awarded to my great Uncle. When I brought them home and my mother saw them she announced your Great Uncle Jackson ( her uncle) was killed in the war as well. So in one day two relations nobody ever mentioned before were resurrected, of course by then nobody knew anything about them, anyone who knew had passed on.

Thanks again
Robert Henry

[Les]

You're welcome - I love this stuff!! What you might want to do is see if they are named on their local town/village memorial. They could even be listed on a local church plaque. You've got a great "find" - I've only recently been given my G-Grandfathers pair and plaque (see Henry on my sig). As for Alfred (also on sig), I've only got his Victory Medal with the BWM ribbon. So I've managed to get his MIC and made up the missing two.

[roberthenry]

Les, I have unearthed quite a lot of information about Samuel henry. I found where he lived (now Demolished) and I found his name by chance on a Church rememberance Plaque. I asked if the church had any birth records and I found my grandfathers and two of his brothers but two brothers including Samuel Henry were missing, all five had served in WW1. Finding National records in Ireland can be complicated. After the Irish civil war 1922 many records have been lost ( thats why birthdates on many Irish VCs are Questionable )or they could be in Kew, Dublin, or Belfast. One of His nieces, another relative I didnt know about, ( But an old soldier in the local Artillery Association did ) and who is still alive has an old local newspaper cutting which had been kept by her father, about the award of the Croix de Guerre, for rescuing two french artillery men with a gun limber after their gun had been knocked out and the rest of the crew killed, and it being presented to him by the french President, Poincare. She was also told by her father that he was nominated for the same action by the British but recieved nothing. I still don't know his birthdate to proceed any further.

As for Jackson Burns because he is from Cumberland I know nothing, And any relations we still have there (my cousins) didn't know they even had a Great Uncle never mind one killed in the Great War. But I know there are specialists who can search the records, finding a good one may be a problem. I think I have bored you enough but thanks again.

[roberthenry]

By the way Les since when did I become a Corporal ( I assume you put it there because I didn't) The Royal Artillery which I was in has Gunners, Lance Bombardiers and Bombardiers. I reached the dizzying heights of Bombardier before I gracefully bowed out.

[Les]

The ranks aspect of the forum is pre-set (by me) - post so many times and you go up in rank. Post more & more again and you'll eventually reach the dizzy heights of General

[Les]

roberthenry said:

As for Jackson Burns because he is from Cumberland I know nothing, And any relations we still have there (my cousins) didn't know they even had a Great Uncle never mind one killed in the Great War. But I know there are specialists who can search the records, finding a good one may be a problem. I think I have bored you enough but thanks again.

I assume you've checked things like the 1901 census etc.... if not, I've found a Jackson Burns, born (March?) 1894 in Cockermouth (and another entry for Crosby) in Cumberland and lining in Flimby. His parents are listed as William & Jane Burns and he was one of 8 children (6 boys & 2 girls). However, I can't find an entry for a marriage for him.

If you want the names etc of the offspring, let me know.

Les.