WW1 info

[crayspond]

Hi to all at Talking Scot,

Is it possible to find out if someone served in WW1 without knowing or having any paperwork relating to it.
My grandfather Thomas Beveridge born Bridgeton, Glasgow 06/09/1884 died 17/07/1932. He married my grandmother late in life. He was 35 (bachelor). My father was only 8 when he died so not much was known about his earlier life. I have searched on the census etc and i can't even find him on the 1889 or 1901. To confuse things he was illegitimate and his mother and father never married. She was Catherine Wright before marriage then she married John McPhee and i think she married again to Michael McGinty which why it takes so much time in research!
I just know so little about him and wondered if he had served in the war, or if anyone had any other ideas.
Thanks

Ailsa

[Currie]

Hello Ailsa,

Your grandfather died at the relatively tender age of 48, do you have his death certificate and is the cause of death something that might have conceivably been caused by deterioration in health because of war service. He may have been receiving a disability pension and if so his records may be available on Ancestry. That type of record, which would include personal information is the one most likely to be of any use to you. Most World War 1 records of ordinary soldiers were destroyed in the Blitz and you need to have luck on your side.

There are medal cards at the National Archives. These are records of campaign medals issued to those who served overseas. Unfortunately these contain very little identifying information that would help you figure which, if any, is yours, but you can look at the search results. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... edalsindex

Unfortunately the sacrifice of these men and the debt the Nation owes them does not cover the cost of looking at these and you would need to pay for the privilege. There are a number by that name from Scottish Regiments and a number have middle names and initials. These are likely to be of no use to you at all at this stage but if you decided to buy one read the instructions carefully and be aware that there may be more than one relevant card per group of 6.

When your grandfather died there may have been some mention in the local newspaper or even on a gravestone that he had served and that might be worth investigating if practical.

Unless someone else has better ideas possibly the Ancestry route might be the best first step as there are a number of Thomas Beveridge’s there. http://content.ancestry.co.uk/iexec/?ht ... 3a7858%3a0

Hope this helps,
Alan

NOTE: Re Census Question - see other post. http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 5279#85279

[crayspond]

Hi alan,

I do have his death cert and he died of Lobar pneumonia (i contacted
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Board Archive below is the link) for any more info as it was Shieldhall hospital and normally for TB patients.

Colin Waller <c.waller@archives.gla.ac.uk>

I had a reply stating that there were no records regarding the treatment he received.
His Occupation was Iron Dresser - so that may have caused the problem with his lungs.
I did have a look on National archives but without any info at all it would mean opening all Thomas Beveridges' belonging to Scottish regiments and as you say most records were destroyed. He would have been 30 when WW1 began - probably a prime age to join up or be called up.
I think that will remain a mystery. Thanks for your help and prompt reply.
Regards

Ailsa