Genealogy Chat

hi all. 3 months ago I sent off a letter to BIRDCAGE WALK, LONDON, for the records of my uncle ERNEST BLUNDELL who joined the SCOTS GUARDS in 1925. I kept hoping that they could help me but was getting frustrated as time was moving on. Well today I received a reply, giving me all the info I could possibly expect, in fact more than I thought possible, and im 'chuffed to bits' and they didnt charge me a penny, although I'm going to send a donation to the SCOTS GUARDS CHARITY for their kind help. The only thing that saddens me is that he finished his term of service in 1952 after 27years service, but then he was allowed to re-enlist again in 1952, the same year, but they had to send his records to the Ministry of Pensions, who lost his records. It seems that he was in the Territorial Army prior to 1925 and had a different army number, but Ive been given to two Army numbers, bit isnt it typical of a Govt Dept who are and always have been careless with records? or am I just being horrible, maybe so. Anyway I just wanted to tell somebody, so there it is YIPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. The reason Im so chuffed is because I only remember seeing him when I was around 8 maybe 10 years old and can remember how big and soldier like with one of those peek caps with the peek straight down his face, and I was duly impressed. Apart from that I knew nothing about him until 6 months ago when I decided to try and find him. Dont wanna go on and bore you all, TED.

Well Done Ted I would say a donation would be well received and I'm sure it will be money well spent How much info did you give them? I have a rellie born c1850, all I know is he was Royal Artillery when he married in 1872, and still Royal Artillery 1873 when his son was born, then he disappears off the face of the earth. Do you think this is enough info for them to search for me? Elly

Elly, Hi. I didnt have much to tell them really. Like I said I ws only 8 maybe 10 when I saw him for the first and last time. He never came to either his mom or his dads funeral in 1939 and 1948 and nobody in the family knew what happened to him. There were all sorts of stories going around that he married into a society family in LONDON whilst he was in the SCOTS GUARDS, but as usual it was family talk, usually wrong, as you know. All I told them was he was a SGT in the SCOTS GUARDS in 1937, knew he was born in LPOOL in 1903, and thats all. You should go on to GOOGLE and look for the ROYAL ARTILLERY archives and write to them, theres bound to be an address to write to there. TED. HOPE YOU HAVE THE SAME LUCK AS ME.

Hi Ted :) I am so glad you finally got the info you wanted:) Regards Ann

You might find this link useful for the RA... http://www.firepower.org.uk/home/home.cfm I found it via this site http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/ - very useful for anyone hunting a regimental museum - and they do have the old regimental names matched to current museums as well. Christine

I should say that I've contacted a few museums now about historical records (army and police) and all have been very helpful. Christine

to christine, ann and elly. Thanks very much for your replies. Its what makes this site ever so good. Finding all this info about my uncle ERNIE has made my day. TED.

Elly I think Ted is lucky in that his relly was in a guards regiment. Otrherwise for the period you are looking at (Victorian era) the army service records are held at Kew. WW1 also at kew (but only about 30-40 percent surviving) and post WW1 still with MOD. Ian