Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know much about finding out details of soldiers who fought during the First World War? I have a discharge certificate for my Grandfather and I have viewed his MIC card but I'm still remain confused over which regiment he belonged to. If truth be told I'm confused about what constitutes a battallion/regiment/division etc.

Is his MIC card his medal card? Doesn't it say on it which regiment he belonged to? Regiments, battalions, divisions etc are all different units of an army and I find it all v. confusing too, especially when they disband and reform and become th 18th lancers or whatever. The problem with 1st WW soldiers is that about 2/3rds of their records were destroyed in WW2, and the ones that remain are called 'the burnt records'. nell

You might find this site (and this particular page) useful: http://www.1914-1918.net/menu_what.htm Christine

It says on his MIC which is his medal card that he was Labour Corps. However, discharge certificate seems to be Cheshire Regt (actually says he previously served Kings Liverpool). He was discharged 1919 and by that point I think the Labour Corps was a seperate entity in its own right. Previously I believe each regiment had its own 'section' referred to as the Labour Corps. My theory is he joined Kings Liverpool but was too short for their groups so was transferred immediatly to Cheshire Regiment as they had a Bantam Division (GG was only 4'11). I think he then either served in their branch of the labour corps or was just a a 'regular soldier'. Then I think he was invalided into the Labour Corps following being Mustard Gassed. Which by then was a seperate entity. This is just my guess and that's how great family rumours start for either me or my descendants to research!

Thanks Christine. I've already been involved with that site which is howcome I learnt how to get his MIC card. I've also posted on the Great War forum which is conncted with the site. I just thought some one on here might have some ideas

You really should look at the Black Sheep Index - an absolutely brilliant site, basically an index of nespaper cuttings www(.)lightage(.)demon(.)co(.)uk Remove brackets

This website is dedicated to the memory of the men who served in the British Army’s Labour Corps during the Great War. www*geocities*com/labour_corps/ Remove* Hope they can help you. Keith

the 1914-1918 site is brilliant for WW1, they have a forum and a soooo helpful and knowledgeable on WW1. Found my Great Uncle thanks to them!

4'11' - bless him, the rifle must have been nearly as big as him. And there was me thinking my Scots Guards ancestor was a bit short for a guard at 5'9'.

HELLO HAVE YOU TRIED THE FOLLOWING SITE ITS FREE AND VERY HELPFUL ITS CALLED THE GREAT WAR FORUM. MY GRANDFATHER WAS ALSO IN THE LIVERPOOL KINGS IAM SURE WITH THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE ON THIS SITE WILL BE VERY HELPFUL KEITH http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?