Reunited with my Gr. Uncle's last letter from the Somme July 1, 1916

[Colin_Fraser]

Heh Tony - you are so lucky having such a wealth of info. And its very itneresting. I would be happy with a grainy microfilm photo from a local newspaper but so far have nothing. Unfortunately I have to search at long range what with being in Canada.

People on some the Great War sites are very generous with their time. One made a special trip to Kew for me to photograph teh 19th BN war diary. Another is going to take a photo of my Gr. Uncle's headstone next time he goes to Warloy. I want to know what the epitaph at the foot says. Its a high priorty for me to visit his grave one day and I will likely be the first family member to do so.

Interestingly, I lost another Gr.Uncle (maternal Grandfather's brother) serving in 14th Servcie BN Royal Welch Fusiliers in August 1918, within a kilometre of where George was wounded. His remains were never found.

Colin

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Here's a 15 post blog I did to let my kids appreciate what their ancestor George had done and endured in WWI. Thought it might be of some interest.

http://3rdsalfords.blogspot.ca/2012/04/i-grew-up-knowing-that-my-maternal.html

Colin

 

[Helm]

Fascinating and heart wrenching stuff Colin

Steve

 

[Jazz]

A fascinating story Colin. Having had three Great Uncles that served in WW1, two of those being killed in the conflict, I can appreciate the interest that you have taken in this subject. I also did not have much interest in WW1 until I found relatives that served in it. After then researching the period I was ashamed that I had not showed more interest when my parents and grandparents were still alive, but that it nearly always the case I'm afraid. I am sure that you consider yourself very lucky to find this piece of valuable family history after all these years. When you have time please take a look at my bust of my own Great Uncle Walter which I converted in his honour recently. This can be found on the VBench.

 

[Nap]

Colin, Tony and everyone else ,

What an absolutely amazing thread this is , proving that so much can be gained from research and so many familys were ripped apart by the horrors of war .

I know Jazz does a lot of geneology it must be incredible to have such treasured possesions like letters which tell the very personal storys of ordinary men and not from a viewpoint of the official despatches , our models we produce can only show how much we truely respect and how much we owe to all that have lost their lives in any conflict.



Fascinating

Nap

 

[Colin_Fraser]

A fascinating story Colin. Having had three Great Uncles that served in WW1, two of those being killed in the conflict, I can appreciate the interest that you have taken in this subject. I also did not have much interest in WW1 until I found relatives that served in it. After then researching the period I was ashamed that I had not showed more interest when my parents and grandparents were still alive, but that it nearly always the case I'm afraid. I am sure that you consider yourself very lucky to find this piece of valuable family history after all these years. When you have time please take a look at my bust of my own Great Uncle Walter which I converted in his honour recently. This can be found on the VBench.

Jazz - your Great Uncle Walter portrait is wonderful. As soon as I find a photo of George I will be doing a bust of him too. My research on him has led me to the other side of my mother's family as well. So far I have found 3 more relatives who served. I haven't even toouched on my dad's side yet.

Its interesting to see the recent 50 million pound announcement toward celebrating the centenary in the UK. I hope we do something smiliar here in Canada. I expect the Vimy anniversary will get a lotof attention even if not government underwritten. I understand the UK focus will be on July 1, 1916 but the WFA is asking for a dual focus with equal time for the 100 days string of victories as well.

I am currently assisting a former neighbour in researching his uncle, a CEF MM recipient wounded twice. Luckily I found his complete service record on line. I'm getting good at this.

Now I have to make sure my kids clue in

Colin

In Memory of my relatives who served in the Great War :

My maternal grandmother's brother - 25262 Pvt George Leonard Ingham - 19th Service Bn Lancashire Fusiliers (3rd Salford Pals) - DoW rec'd at Ovillers-la-Boisselle July 15, 1916
My maternal grandfather's brother - 55341 Pvt Clement Finney - 14th Service Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers - MIA/KIA nr. Longueval August 28, 1918
My maternal grandfather's brother - 290148 Pvt Wilfred Seymour Finney - 1/7th Royal Welch Fusiliers - served from 1915 incl. Gallipoli and survived the war
My maternal grandfather - F44746 ACII Alick Hayden Finney - RNAS/RAF - later Chief of Staffordshire Fire Service and KPFSM, OBE

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Colin, Tony and everyone else ,

What an absolutely amazing thread this is , proving that so much can be gained from research and so many familys were ripped apart by the horrors of war .

I know Jazz does a lot of geneology it must be incredible to have such treasured possesions like letters which tell the very personal storys of ordinary men and not from a viewpoint of the official despatches , our models we produce can only show how much we truely respect and how much we owe to all that have lost their lives in any conflict.

View attachment 107546

Fascinating

Nap

Well said - what more could I add?

Colin