Right, second time lucky with this. I'm going to post in sections this time as I lost the whole post last time. Although this is a WW2 forum I'm hoping you might be able to help me with information regarding my grandfather Reginald Stringer. He never spoke much about his life, either army or civvy (he was a bit of a black sheep of the family & didn't keep in contact with his own family), so we would love to be able to learn something about his army career. We think he was in the London Scottish regiment, attached (?) to the KOYLI, but my uncle has checked the Roll and not been able to find any record of him. He was born in 1899 and supposedly signed up under age, although this could be ficticious. He was possibly in the 5th Army? and in the last big battle of WW1 which if Britain had lost they would have lost WW1, but again this could be incorrect. I will post pictures in the following post
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57349326@N00/5104355287/ Reg seated far right with arms crossed Why doesn't the pic show?
More pics of Reg and KOYLI I1st one, he doesn't have his arms folded - my error, hes 3rd in from the right in the row sitting on chairs
Had a look on Ancestry and found him - the only man who was in the London Scottish (14th Londons) with this name. Shows he was originally DLI rather than KOYLI. His service record doesn't appear to have survived.
Just remembered something else my uncle mentioned. Reg was a cousin of or some how related to a VC air ace whose name was Albert Bach/Boch or something like that. Does that mean anything to anyone. I am seeing him again tomorrow so can confirm the details if necessary.
Hi Nicola a few details re Albert Ball Albert Ball - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Albert Ball - British flying ACE of World War 1 - Biography
Drove down to Devon yesterday on a WW2 quest, but also chatted to my sister about Reg as well. I wasn't aware of this, but apparently he was in the Merhcant Navy at some point. Am I right in thinking there are MN files at TNA Kew? How would I go about researching them? What ref number do they use? This may explain the rumour that he went to the US at some point. I've previously checked the logs for passenger entry in New York with no luck. Thanks
Am I right in thinking there are MN files at TNA Kew? How would I go about researching them? What ref number do they use? In case you're still wondering: You'll find eight categorised links in the RH column here There are two 2-step drill-down research guide links here The research guides quote appropriate ref. #s Then there are currently at least 3 podcasts - in publication order: 16 Oct 2008 - Merchant Navy service records 12 Dec 2008 - Merchant Navy operational records 31 Jan 2012 - Nineteenth century merchant seafarers and their records
HI Nicola, This is the first time I have been on this site in months and months. am fascinated by your story of Reginald Stringer..... Does he have any connection with Scotland or Ireland at all? The reason is I have spent years (with only moderate success) chasing the story of my father-in-law - also a Stringer. Like your Stinger he had a chequered war career in WW2. He was at Singapore - we do not know how or why he was there. The birth records do not show anything about him. He grew up in Glasgow but may have been born in Ireland..,He may have signed up under his brother's details possible to escape some trouble in Glasgow or perhaps because he was too young. Later in the war he was in the Merchant Navy.... Beginning to sound familiar??? Would love to hear how your search is going and if you have ny suggestions to further mine
