Military Records

[Julian Bagwell]

I am new to the Society and am trying to build up my research.  I want to dig into the records of a small number of servicemen.  Online there are various sites that claim to offer all I need, only on a payment.  I don't mind paying, but only if it is worthwhile.  Does any member have any thoughts or advice on the best sites?  My current field of interest is WW1.

[Alan Baker]

Julian
I use both Forces War Records and Ancestry. Both are going, if they hold the records, but can let you down unexpectedly. Sometimes I have found nothing for what I thought would be an easy name to find.

FWR costs about £9 per quarter I think, Ancestry is £13.99 monthly but I have also done family research through it so probably worth it (just!).

You can buy into more expensive packages through either, but I have avoided them.

There are other sites which are free but more specialised (e.g. Portuguese Military Archives)

If your requirements are limited, send me the names and I will be happy to have a preliminary look for you

[Julian Bagwell]

Alan, that's really good of you.  The first two records in which I am interested are

Sapper R Bibb, No 39084 - I do know that he got the 1914-15 Star for service in Egypt and I think he was a postal clerk in Salonica in 1916, can't find anything else.

The other is E Kendall (or possibly C E Kendall).  He was involved in the British Forces in Constantinople after WW1 and may have been the ADC to the Commanding Officer and may have been a Lieutenant.  That's all I can get from the envelope that I am trying to research, which is dated 19 Sept 1923, just before the final pull out.

Any help gratefully received

Julian

[Alan Baker]

Sapper Reuben V Bibb RE - cannot find any more than you know. Might be worth trying the RE Museum. The Society has a membership. Mike Dobbs is our contact

Alternatively, try Chris Grimshaw. He is our expert on Salonika

Can you scan in a copy of the Kendall cover? Bit difficult to find any trace without more info

Both classic cases of limited detail for less than common names, especially Bibb

Any more (easier) ones?

[Julian Bagwell]

Here it is

[Alan Baker]

On FWR - Army List 1922 - Lt CE Kendall, -Aide de Camp, Allied Forces of Occupation, Turkey. Unfortunately, you have to pay more to view!

On Ancestry, I have found a Lt CE Kendall, RFA, who served in Iraq in WWI. From FWR, it appears he was a career soldier, rising to Captain in the Royal Artillery and served in WW2. This may be the same person...or...

[Chris Weddell]

I have just looked at the records and the 2 C.E. Kendall's Alan mentions are the same man.

[Julian Bagwell]

Alan, Chris

Sorry, been a busy week and only just got to your responses.  Both really helpful, many thanks

Julian