World War I Soldiers

2014 saw the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, on 28 July 1914 and 2018 the centenary of its end on 11 November 1918.

A great deal has been written about the War, its battles and why it ever happened at all.

The loss of life was huge, and few families were untouched by it which means that nealy everyone who is interested in their family history will have a direct or collateral ancestor who was involved in some way.

Four of my own great uncles were killed in the War; two brothers of my paternal grandfather were soldiers as was a brother of my paternal grandmother. A brother of my maternal grandmother was a merchant seaman.

You can read about two of them in the sample reports here. The Life and Death of Francis Higgins shows how much can be uncovered when no records survive. The Will of Robert Bruce Lindsay shows what information about an ancestor's family can be gathered from a Will.

You may not have medals but you may have a photograph of a soldier, letters, diaries or memories of something you were told about by another family member. 

You may have researched your own family and found a soldier who served but, because his record was missing, thought nothing further could be done.

You may have found there is a grave or a name on a memorial and be planning a visit and would like to know more before you go. 

Whatever your interest might be in a First World War Soldier please feel free to contact me for a no obligation assessment as to whether your soldier's story might be capable of further research..