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| Peering into your family's military past | Peering into your family's military past |
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| The death of the "last Tommy", Harry Patch, in July put an end to first-hand memories of the World War I trenches. But if Armistice Day pricks your curiosity about what your ancestors did in the world wars, there are many avenues of archives to explore. | The death of the "last Tommy", Harry Patch, in July put an end to first-hand memories of the World War I trenches. But if Armistice Day pricks your curiosity about what your ancestors did in the world wars, there are many avenues of archives to explore. |
| Britain's last survivor of the trenches, Harry Patch, died in July | Britain's last survivor of the trenches, Harry Patch, died in July |
| The horrors of previous wars are even more personal to those whose own families took part, in conflicts such as the nightmarish trench warfare of World War I. | The horrors of previous wars are even more personal to those whose own families took part, in conflicts such as the nightmarish trench warfare of World War I. |
| And according to Anthony Richards, archivist at the Imperial War Museum, interest in researching family military history is now more popular than ever. A major aspect of genealogy is often the involvement of family members in one or other of the two world wars. | And according to Anthony Richards, archivist at the Imperial War Museum, interest in researching family military history is now more popular than ever. A major aspect of genealogy is often the involvement of family members in one or other of the two world wars. |
| "Considering the global scale of both conflicts, it is quite rare to find a family that did not have at least one relative involved," says Mr Richards. "Whether it was as a member of the armed forces, medical services, civil defence or perhaps even as a schoolchild evacuated to the countryside." | "Considering the global scale of both conflicts, it is quite rare to find a family that did not have at least one relative involved," says Mr Richards. "Whether it was as a member of the armed forces, medical services, civil defence or perhaps even as a schoolchild evacuated to the countryside." |
| So should anyone wish to learn more about what part their own relatives had to play in the battles that shaped history, then Mr Richards recommends several initial lines of inquiry. | So should anyone wish to learn more about what part their own relatives had to play in the battles that shaped history, then Mr Richards recommends several initial lines of inquiry. |
| "You need to get hold of an individual's military service record. That will detail when they joined up or were conscripted, if they were wounded and any medals they were awarded. | "You need to get hold of an individual's military service record. That will detail when they joined up or were conscripted, if they were wounded and any medals they were awarded. |
| MILITARY GENEALOGY WWI diary discovered Key extracts analysed | |
| "For WWI these are kept at the National Archives at Kew [London], which has information online or you can visit them. For WWII they're held by the Ministry of Defence in Glasgow. You must write to them and prove you're the next of kin." | "For WWI these are kept at the National Archives at Kew [London], which has information online or you can visit them. For WWII they're held by the Ministry of Defence in Glasgow. You must write to them and prove you're the next of kin." |
| Once you have details of a relative's military unit - a particular regiment for example - the next step is to again access the National Archives and obtain that unit's regimental war diaries. | Once you have details of a relative's military unit - a particular regiment for example - the next step is to again access the National Archives and obtain that unit's regimental war diaries. |
| These were kept by each battalion's adjutant - a staff officer who assists the commanding officer in issuing orders and also keeps records of its activities. | These were kept by each battalion's adjutant - a staff officer who assists the commanding officer in issuing orders and also keeps records of its activities. |
| Such diaries form a day-by-day account of where a battalion was on any given date, any battles fought and any losses incurred. | Such diaries form a day-by-day account of where a battalion was on any given date, any battles fought and any losses incurred. |
| "These were kept every single day and although they can be mundane they will contain much useful information, not least about troop movements," Mr Richards says. | "These were kept every single day and although they can be mundane they will contain much useful information, not least about troop movements," Mr Richards says. |
| Some amateur family historians, such as Alun Bagshaw, are simply blessed with luck. Mr Bagshaw, 48, recently discovered a diary written by his grandfather, Sgt William Bagshaw, who was captured in April 1918 on the French-German border. | Some amateur family historians, such as Alun Bagshaw, are simply blessed with luck. Mr Bagshaw, 48, recently discovered a diary written by his grandfather, Sgt William Bagshaw, who was captured in April 1918 on the French-German border. |
| This 31-page document disclosed details of his life as a POW and the harsh conditions the captives faced, giving Alun Bagshaw a unique insight into his ancestor's exploits. | This 31-page document disclosed details of his life as a POW and the harsh conditions the captives faced, giving Alun Bagshaw a unique insight into his ancestor's exploits. |
| Military records can reveal plenty about one's family members | |
| "I read the first few lines of my grandfather's diary and thought 'wow'," he says. "It was very emotional to see it and it's nice that his actions and his time has been recorded." | "I read the first few lines of my grandfather's diary and thought 'wow'," he says. "It was very emotional to see it and it's nice that his actions and his time has been recorded." |
| But for the luck of such a rare find, more detective work is required. | But for the luck of such a rare find, more detective work is required. |
| The increasing advancement of the digital age means increasing amounts of information is being placed online. | The increasing advancement of the digital age means increasing amounts of information is being placed online. |
| The latest example is once again from the National Archives, which has made available 99,000 RAF officers' service records online for the first time. They are available on a pay-per-download basis for £3.50. | The latest example is once again from the National Archives, which has made available 99,000 RAF officers' service records online for the first time. They are available on a pay-per-download basis for £3.50. |
| For the first time, the records can be easily searched online by first name, last name and date of birth. | For the first time, the records can be easily searched online by first name, last name and date of birth. |
| I wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission with [my grandfather's] number and his unit, which we knew, and they wrote back immediately to say that he was buried at the Somme, with all the details we needed to find the grave Rod Newman | I wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission with [my grandfather's] number and his unit, which we knew, and they wrote back immediately to say that he was buried at the Somme, with all the details we needed to find the grave Rod Newman |
| The records were created with the inception of the RAF in April 1918, but many include the retrospective details of earlier service in either the Royal Flying Corp or Royal Naval Air Service. | The records were created with the inception of the RAF in April 1918, but many include the retrospective details of earlier service in either the Royal Flying Corp or Royal Naval Air Service. |
| Each service record typically details the date the officer was initially commissioned, subsequent promotions, units in which they served, type of aircraft flown, details of any honours bestowed and the date these were announced in the London Gazette. | Each service record typically details the date the officer was initially commissioned, subsequent promotions, units in which they served, type of aircraft flown, details of any honours bestowed and the date these were announced in the London Gazette. |
| Such records also note the date the individual resigned from commission, their retirement date, and, in several cases, when they died. | Such records also note the date the individual resigned from commission, their retirement date, and, in several cases, when they died. |
| 'Patience and elimination' | 'Patience and elimination' |
| Retired bank manager Rod Newman's interest in uncovering family military history began when he started looking into his own. | Retired bank manager Rod Newman's interest in uncovering family military history began when he started looking into his own. |
| "My grandfather was killed in the First World War and for one reason or another my mother and grandmother didn't know he had a grave," he says. "I wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission with his number and his unit, which we knew, and they wrote back immediately to say that he was buried at the Somme, with all the details we needed to find the grave. | "My grandfather was killed in the First World War and for one reason or another my mother and grandmother didn't know he had a grave," he says. "I wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission with his number and his unit, which we knew, and they wrote back immediately to say that he was buried at the Somme, with all the details we needed to find the grave. |
| WWI battles still hold a fascination among the modern-day public | WWI battles still hold a fascination among the modern-day public |
| "I went to see his grave, and from that point on my interest in researching people's military history began." | "I went to see his grave, and from that point on my interest in researching people's military history began." |
| Mr Newman has several sources he says prove useful in any hunt. The National Archives are a good starting place but he urges "patience and elimination" - two qualities, he says, that any amateur sleuth needs. | Mr Newman has several sources he says prove useful in any hunt. The National Archives are a good starting place but he urges "patience and elimination" - two qualities, he says, that any amateur sleuth needs. |
| And as in Mr Newman's case, the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC) has information should you already have details of a relative's military life, and death. The IWGC also recorded deaths of servicemen in the years shortly after WWI. Should they not have a recognised grave, there are many war memorials where names will be inscribed in order to remember servicemen and their sacrifice. | And as in Mr Newman's case, the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC) has information should you already have details of a relative's military life, and death. The IWGC also recorded deaths of servicemen in the years shortly after WWI. Should they not have a recognised grave, there are many war memorials where names will be inscribed in order to remember servicemen and their sacrifice. |
| While many small ones are dotted around the various battlefields of Europe, the main ones for World War I, he says, are at Menin Gate in Ypres in France, Tyne Cot near Ypres, and Thiepval at the Somme in France. | While many small ones are dotted around the various battlefields of Europe, the main ones for World War I, he says, are at Menin Gate in Ypres in France, Tyne Cot near Ypres, and Thiepval at the Somme in France. |
| But if information is scarce, then Mr Newman recommends trying bodies such as the Royal British Legion, which publishes regular periodicals which contain articles on how to research relatives. | But if information is scarce, then Mr Newman recommends trying bodies such as the Royal British Legion, which publishes regular periodicals which contain articles on how to research relatives. |
| Surprising results | Surprising results |
| Equally, if it is World War I history that is required, the Western Front Association (WFA) prints publications that has "an awful lot of information" about conducting research. | Equally, if it is World War I history that is required, the Western Front Association (WFA) prints publications that has "an awful lot of information" about conducting research. |
| The WFA is dedicated to "study, learning and research into all aspects of the Great War" and has many local branches. Its website also has information and articles on how to trace family military history. | The WFA is dedicated to "study, learning and research into all aspects of the Great War" and has many local branches. Its website also has information and articles on how to trace family military history. |
| Even research outside the military realm can yield surprises. When Mr Newman accessed the 1911 census - the latest to made publicly - he discovered he had a relative who was listed in the census as being in the Navy. | Even research outside the military realm can yield surprises. When Mr Newman accessed the 1911 census - the latest to made publicly - he discovered he had a relative who was listed in the census as being in the Navy. |
| "I wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission and they informed me that he had died in a boating accident in Portsmouth Harbour in 1916. | "I wrote to the Imperial War Graves Commission and they informed me that he had died in a boating accident in Portsmouth Harbour in 1916. |
| "Even though he wasn't killed in battle they had kept a specific record of his death, because he was killed during wartime. I only discovered this because of my search of the census." | "Even though he wasn't killed in battle they had kept a specific record of his death, because he was killed during wartime. I only discovered this because of my search of the census." |
| Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |