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Post by tominera on Nov 21, 2010 19:44:19 GMT
Hi, I have a relative in my wifes family who apparently deserted in World War One and returned to his family in the Ffrith who were allegedly struggling to survive. I would like to know the truth without incurring any expense if this is possible. The family have always maintained he was lucky not to be shot and he returned to work on the farm as they could not manage at the time. All I know is he was in the army and his name was William Henry Griffiths born in Llanfynydd 6 10 1898. There may be a more obvious answer which someone can come up with who knows ? Thanks Tom.
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Post by pierce on Dec 30, 2010 22:37:52 GMT
Tominera Try National Archives web site. Under ww1 although a number of ww1 army documents were destroyed by enemy bombing during the 2nd WW. You may need a little bit more information than you have. There is a strong possibility that if the family were living in the FFrith then it is likely that he would have enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers tha being the local regiment. It would help if you could find out a little more information to point you in the right direction
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Post by ago on Feb 7, 2016 14:20:31 GMT
hello tominera, just been browsing our mystery posts when I came across your post, found this in the Cheshire observer 1901, I know the dates do not coincide, but this is what I found,
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Post by tominera on Feb 8, 2016 15:01:47 GMT
Hi Ago, Appreciate your attempt to help me but as you said they do not tally and my William Henry was only born in 1898 I did not pursue this query as he has relatives closer to him than me still alive and you will realise it can be a touchy subject. Nevertheless thankyou and my apologies to Pierce for not replying to his post Cheers Tom
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Post by piercepierce on Feb 14, 2016 22:41:34 GMT
Tominera, on the British Army Medal Rolls for WW1, have found 10 W.H. Griffiths. These are as follows. 1. Regimental number 8284. Entered theatre of operations France and died of wounds 5.7.17, Royal Welch Fusilier. 2. Regimental number 5361, theatre of operations Balkans, entered theatre of operations 28.6.15, discharged wounds. royal Welch Fusilier. 3. Regimental number 2677 Balkans entered theatre of operations 8.8.15. Cheshire Regiment. 4. 30597 Grenadier Guards, deceased 20.7.18. 5. Regimental number 75731 Royal Field Artillery entered France 26.9.15. 6. Regimental number 61919 entered France 27.8.15. 7. Regimental number, 61834 entered France 19.9.15. 8. Captain, Lancashire Fusilier, killed Gallipoli August 1915. 9.Regimental number 2505 Middlesex Regiment, discharged 29.6.16. Sickness. 10. Regimental number 6283 Machine Gun Corps, France entered theatre of operations 8.12.15. Hope this helps to narrow the field.
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Post by piercepierce on Feb 14, 2016 23:09:28 GMT
Tominera, a little back ground re campaign medals for WW1, they were 1914 Star, qualification was service in either France or Belgium between 5.8.14 and 22.11.1914. 1914/15 Star Qualification, service against Germany in any theatre of operations between, 5.8.14 to 31.12.15. British War Medal any theatre of war or service overseas, between 5.8.14 and 11.11.18. Victoria Medal, having served during WWI. There was also the Territorial Force Medal, for service overseas, but were not eligible if you had received the 1914 Star or the 1914/15 Star.
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Post by tominera on Feb 15, 2016 17:38:27 GMT
Thanks for all the information and I am sorry I put you to all that trouble as I believe WHG came back home pretty soon after joining up but I appreciate your help and realise I need more info than what I have. Thanks a lot once again Regards Tom
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Post by annedw on Feb 15, 2016 18:49:38 GMT
I found some records all for the same man but he was born Cefn y Bedd I know this because the service numbers match. he died in 1918, but no mention of age. The only other name given is Annie S.
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Post by piercepierce on Feb 15, 2016 23:13:54 GMT
Tom, whilst looking for records of W.H.G., have found a R.G.Griffiths (no unit or regimental number ) on the War Memorial for those men from the Parish of Llanfynydd who were killed in WW1. The memorial is on the gates of the Ffrith Memorial Garden. I would think this is a relative of W.H.G., perhaps a brother.
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Post by tominera on Feb 16, 2016 17:49:10 GMT
Hi Pierce, You are absolutely correct regarding Richard George Griffiths being a brother to William Henry---He was badly wounded but do not know where or when and he died from his wounds 10 9 1922 and is buried in Llanfynydd churchyard with his mother and father. I believe the family had to fight hard to get his name on the Ffrith Memorial. I would welcome any info regarding his service etc if you are ever able to find anything Thanks again Tom
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Post by piercepierce on Feb 17, 2016 12:04:44 GMT
Tom, will have a go, the family grave explains why I could not find him on the Commonwealth Graves Commission site.
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Post by tominera on Feb 17, 2016 19:54:30 GMT
Richard George Griffiths was born 1893---just thought it might help Regards Tom
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Post by piercepierce on Feb 19, 2016 21:53:47 GMT
Thanks Tom, so he was the elder brother. I wonder if William followed him into the same Regiment, perhaps joined under age. William would not have been eligible for military service till his 18th birthday, which would be late 1916, and could not have been sent overseas until his 19th birthday. Although these regulations with regard to age limits were not enforced.
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Post by piercepierce on Feb 20, 2016 14:44:57 GMT
Tom have sent you a private message. I have found only one Richard George Griffiths, who received the Silver Wound Badge, together with the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Details are R.G. Griffiths, Yorkshire Regiment, number 41980, enlisted 20.10.16 discharged wounds 29.6.1919. Silver Wound Badge number 417717.
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Post by tominera on Feb 21, 2016 16:06:32 GMT
I will try and put a pic of Richard George in full uniform which may help identify his unit etc. Regards Tom
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Post by piercepierce on Feb 21, 2016 21:07:41 GMT
Tom, I think that is the cap and shoulder titles of Royal Field Artillery. Progress. I must say a very proud and soldierly looking gentleman.
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Post by piercepierce on Mar 6, 2016 13:54:34 GMT
Hello Tom, Just a quick up date, there are a number of Richard George Griffiths on the Medal Rolls and in the Service Records of the Royal Field Artillery, so really need a regimental number or even a enlistment date or his Silver Wound Badge number, that would be as good as his Regimental Number. With regard to his brother, he is also very difficult to identify. Have looked up William in the Police Gazette with regard to reported desertions. There are 2, William Griffiths, one enlisted 1915 and the other 1916, both I think may be too early unless William enlisted under age. Will keep plugging away.
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Post by tominera on Mar 9, 2016 18:49:08 GMT
Hi, Many thanks for trying to help me and I have tried a few members of the family to see if they know more than me but have failed to find anything useful to help you. Thanks anyway Regards Tom
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Post by piercepierce on Dec 23, 2016 22:59:47 GMT
Tominera, Just returned to the tread. I have found more information with regards to Richard George Griffiths 1893 to 1922. Have a Richard George baptism 16.4.1893 LLanfyndd. Source Flintshire Parish Records. Marriage 1901 Wrexham to a Mary Jane Hughes born 1891 , in Thomas Street, Brymbo. Death 1922 Hawarden.
Is this the same person. If it is it gives another avenue of research, i.e., soldiers effects and pension records.
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Post by piercepierce on Dec 23, 2016 23:24:47 GMT
Hi Again, Just done another bit of digging and found records for both William and Richard in the Flintshire Record Office.
Richard George Griffiths, Flintshire Serviceman 1919 Nant, Ffrith Reference D/DM/181 Llanfynydd L34
William Henry Griffiths, Flintshire Serviceman 1919 Nant Farm, Ffrith Reference D/DM/181 Llanfynydd L35
Hope this information helps your search
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Post by tominera on Dec 27, 2016 9:42:09 GMT
Hi Pierce, Having PC probs at the moment but I will point out that the marriage is wrong for 2 reasons--he would have been too young and in fact was never married. Thanks for your valiant attempts to help me but and I am really grateful. I am not active at the moment with my family tree as I have a lot of other issues to occupy my time. I appreciate your help so thanks again and hope you have a brilliant new year Regards Tom
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Post by piercepierce on Aug 22, 2017 23:06:31 GMT
Hi Tominera have been reviewing this thread. For your information have found the following Richard George Griffiths : Birth registration held at Mold Reference HAW/39/43, Death Registration held at Mold reference HAW/14A/51. William Henry Griffiths birth registration held at Mold reference HAW/45/23
With regard to Richard have found a Medal Index Card for WW1 with the following details : Regimental Number 24453 Royal Field Artillery Rank Gunner. Medals awarded 1. 1914 Star, General War Medal, Victory Medal. Discharged wounds 5.9.1917. Awarded Silver Wound Badge Number 9299 ( Also known as the Kings Badge )
This may not be the relative in question but it does give you a Regimental Number which can lead to his Service Record or Pension Records if they are still on record.
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Post by tominera on Aug 27, 2017 18:24:30 GMT
Hi, Thanks for your efforts re this thread. I have decided the R.G.Griffiths is the one in my tree and have added the info re the medals and his number. I was also told he was an amputee but no positive history to support this. Thanks again, much appreciated Tom
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