WWI records shed light on Gunnerton serviceman

Posted by The Journal on Nov 5, 09 09:45 AM in Nostalgia

Relatives of First World War servicemen can now find out more about their heroic ancestors.

The Army service records of more than two million British soldiers who served during the "war to end all wars" have been published online for the first time.

General picture of the World War One trenches

A variety of information concerning all aspects of the army careers of those who completed their duty or were killed in action include the soldier's name, date and place of birth, address, next-of-kin, former occupation, marital status and medical history.

Data on John Hedley, from Gunnerton, Barrasford, Northumberland, is just one set of thousands of records now available (pictured below).

He was 19 years and one month old when he enlisted with the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers on December 20, 1915, as a sapper in Hexham.

Records amazingly give details including the former labourer's height - 5ft 3in - and whether Mr Hedley had any distinctive marks, which he didn't.

Other information revealed Mr Hedley lost three days' pay after he was caught spitting on the floor of his billet, in January 11, 1917 in Herne Bay, in Kent. And the unmarried soldier later served with the 323rd Quarrying Company of Royal Engineers.

He was discharged in April 28, 1918, and received an advance of his pension of ÃÂ£2, which was sent to his home address.

Ancestry.co.uk said full military careers from 1914 to 1920 were included in the collection.

Website content director Dan Jones said: "The service records will provide millions of people with information to help them better understand what their heroic ancestors were like as soldiers.

"The records include information such as their performance in battle, their health and details of their general appearance."

William Spencer, military records specialist at The National Archives, said: "It is fitting that the digitisation of surviving First World War soldiers' records of service should be completed at this time.

"With Harry Patch's death last July, any direct living connection to these records has finally been severed and marks the passing of this significant period in British military activity into history. Digitising these records makes them accessible to people around the world, many of whom had ancestors who served in the "war to end all wars", and who will now be able to discover so much more about them."

The records can be found by logging on to www.ancestry.co.uk

The form of John Hedley who was 19 year when he enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers