Hi Sean Yes For Herbert - Entered the Theatre of War on 22/9/14 and it would be 1 France although not written. Killed in Action 26/10/17 Entitled to 14 Star and clasp (no rose) which is in Medal Roll K/1/5 page 9 and Cl/2/3159 - notice they applied for the clasp on 17/3/22 British War and Victory Medal roll (they are both on the 1 roll) K/1/102 B17 page 3400 The other writing is some reference code, which no one has a clue on now A Private in the Norfolk Rifles, service number 3/7959 , the 3 may indicate he joined in 1913 For William Entered France (1) on 30 May 1915 and Died of Wounds 13/10/16 A Private in the Norfolk Rifles 12027 Entitled to 15 star roll K/1/8 B3 page 430 And BW and V medals K/1/102 B17 Page 3402 The x with the dots refers to which medals have what details written on them, although in this case as he was not promoted or changed service number, there was no need to put that on as all medals will have the same details. The Medal Rolls may have which battalion the both were in. Here is a bit on the Norfolks- The Norfolk Regiment in 1914-1918 All on the LLT site also the link above about understanding the MIC's regards Robert
I have to say, the amount of help you have all supplied today has astounded me. You will probably never know how much I appreciate it... and so will my old Mum! Thank you all. Sean
Many thanks to Jonathan for a tip which now has me in possession of the photo's of Herbert and William's war graves/memorial. Still moving forward (even if it is at a very slow pace!). Next question for PDF experts! The War Diary for the 7 Norfolks also contains War Diaries from the Machine Gun Corps and the Trench Mortar Company. Any tips on how I can split these diaries into a seperate PDF? Sean
I dont think you can edit PDF's, unfortunately oh, and a nice website you have there. I never knew that people did that!
A small additional point to the very clear explanation by bofors.... It's not a guarantee, but it is often the case that a 3/xxxx CAN (but not necessarily) indicate that his REGIMENTAL Number refers to a man in the 3rd Battalion. You still need to check the Medal Rolls for confirmation and any other details. Thus you could have different men with 1/9999; 2/9999; 3/9999 etc, all having the same number but with DIFFERENT Battalions (1st, 2nd 3rd etc). It was realised that when the Army was so greatly expanded, this numbering system was confusing. It worked when there were only a few battalions in the same regiment, but broke down when there were sometimes up to 30 battalions in some regiments! That's why the SERVICE number, unique to each man, was introduced. Of course, he would often retain that 3/999 even if he was posted to the 2nd or other battalion.... Moving to a new REGIMENT, however, would require a new REGIMENTAL number. There's a whole world of study in the Medal Index Cards, they were only meant as a quick reminder, but due to so many Service records being lost, they and the Medal Rolls themselves, are about all we have to work with now....
Thanks for the info! At Home Dad, thanks for the compliment on the website. Unfortunately I have been rather lacking in updating/improving it. As for not knowing that people did 'tactical stitching'... I honestly wish there wasn't a need for any of us to do it. Our troops should already have the best kit and there shouldn't be a need for little solo garage/spare bedroom stitchers to provide the good quality kit they need! Sean
Just wanted to let everyone (and in particular, Jonathan) know, that after his excellent advice to conact the local newspaper, I have heard back from the Librarian at the Eastern Daily Press concerning my Mum's Uncles from the Norfolk Regiment in WW1. She has found William Thurston's name in a large list of those killed. This fits in with the War Diaries and the battalion losing around 100 men in a single attack. She has also unearthed the death notice for Herbert Thurston. I'm just waiting on scanned copies to arrive. So, many thanks for your excellent advice Jonathan! It has pushed me a fraction closer to their lives (and deaths). Regards, Sean
Hello All, As the title says, I'm looking foir help with info on two WW1 soldiers that were killed in action. They are my Mum's uncles. I am now at the point were my limited knowledge of research has me going round in circles! I have their medal cards and can post these if it helps (I need assistance in reading them anyway!). The details I have so far are: Herbert James THURSTON Private 3/7959... and 7253 (these numbers could be vice-versa?) 1st Bn Norfolk Regiment... and then Machine Gun Corps Born : Date not known (North Heigham in Norfolk) KIA : 26/10/1917 Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial Medal Card (there are two for Herbert) states Killed In Action William THURSTON Private 12027 7th Bn Norfolk Regiment Born : Date not known (North Heigham in Norfolk) KIA : 13/10/1916 Buried at Longueval Road Cemetery, E 2 Medal Card states Died Of Wounds I'm looking for any further information or pointers in the right direction, particularly into how/where they died. Unfortunately, THURSTON is quite a common name in Norfolk! Once again, many thanks in advance. Regards, Sean Hello Sean, Have you tried going onto the National Archives web site, follow it along, then enter the roll number with the medals, if there is one, as a reference to search the catalogue? peaceful
That's great news Sean. The long list of names sounds to me like the local roll of honour. I've got my fingers crossed for you that the death notice will come with a small photo of him.
