Genealogy Chat

Darryl - I hope you're right - let us know if you manage to track him down. I have all the details for my own relative so will probably get the National Archive to do the search for me (I'll charge it to the family as an early Christmas prezzie!). Clare

Thanks for your advice Clare. Since posting my original query, the depths of the National Archive web site have provided the perfect answer, so the hunt ocntinues. Having drawn such a blank with this chap in all other areas, the odds must perhaps be greater that he will be among the 40 per cent of records which have survived...one has to be optimistic! Darryl

Hi Darryl I've no idea on that score, but I do know that roughly 60% of the service records from the First World War were destroyed in the Second, so its a long shot even without your added complications. May I suggest (unless theres someone who does know the answer to your question) that you email the National Archive - I've done this myself regarding soldiers records and they were extremely helpful (not an automated response, but one which related to my specific question). Good luck in your quest. Clare

Please can someone tell me if what I hope to do is practical. I have a 'missing' gt grandfather, with no apparent BMD records post-1913. He was alienated from the family, so there are no handed-down accounts of what happened to him once he walked out on wife and children. His name is George Bailey and I am trying to ascertain if he may have died in the World War I. The CWGC site has entries, but without ages or next of kin details. I have downloaded medal cards for several 'George Bailey' servicemen which provide regimental numbers. Can these numbers lead me to service records at the National Archive and would those records give details such as address or date of birth that would confirm whether one of these men might have been my missing ancestor? Sorry to be long-winded, probably a yes or no response would be all that's required! Darryl