WWI Guards Division Forum

evening all, anybody got any hints or tips on what to do next, my g/father served with the G/Guards during WW1 and indeed after, his MIC shows he was awarded 1914 Star Clasp & Roses iv, Victory and British medals, the MIC showed he was with 2nd Batt. at the time, he got married in 1919 while stationed at Chelsea Barracks, on applying to Reg. Archivist at Wellington Barracks for his service record i was told no record exists! A bit flummoxed now, i never knew him so would like to trace as much as poss. Many thanks in advance for any help or advice. Pete.

I have heard that alot of the service records for ww1 vets were dystroyed during ww2 as a result of the blitz so idk if your really gonna be able to find anything else.

Bomber Macgregor

What was your Grandfathers name? I can see if there is anything mentioning him in the official histories of the Guards Regiments in WWI. Also, is it possible he transfered into or out of the Grenadiers at the end of the war? If so, that might explain the lost records.

I will do my best of help you find some information on your grandfather, but I wouldn't give up on the archivists yet. Perhaps if you made your request to them more broad, they might provide some more insight for you.

I am sure your grandfather would be proud that someone like yourself is showing interest in his service.

Regards,

Jim

evening all, many thanks for replying, my G/father was Pr. Pickett WJA 16280 his marriage cert fromApr. 1919 shows him as still in 2nd Battalion G/Guards if he transferred to other regiments i dont know. Knowing the Guards regs. kept their own records i was most hopeful of discovering something of his war service, and was understandably well cheesed off when i drew a blank. I would love to find something out to be able to tell my kids what their Great G/Father did in the First World War. Thanks again, pete

Hey Pete,
Sorry to take so long to get back to you, but I have looked high and low through every book I have related to the Grenadiers during WWI and no reference to your grandfather. It is rare to have individuals names in those books, but it didn't hurt to look. I know they are busy, but you may consider calling up the Archivists at Wellington Barracks again and see if they have any further recommendations for you.

Good Luck!

Jim

hi james, many thanks for looking will try once again with archivist, fingers crossed!! merry xmas, pete

Pete,

I'd recommend sending a formal letter to the GG's at Birdcage Wallk stating what it is that you are looking for. break it down by bullet headers. For example:
- a xerox copy of any old company or squad photo for "_____".
- a xerox copy of any B-217 short service form for "_____".
- a xerox copy of any medical forms for "_____".

Check out the GG website to see who the regimental colonel is.
Address your letter to him.
One of his adjuncts will open it. They will see that it gets to the correct person in charge of these matters. (This is a rotating job, looking up archives etc, so to try a head of time to pin down a name is almost impossible.)
Include a second smaller envelope within the first.
Write on the front of this envelope that it is "for the gentleman who retrieves the requested records."
Inside the envelope, place two twenty pound notes wrapped inside white lined paper. (This way the money will not be detectable from just looking at the envelope.)
On the white lined paper, write that the money is in thanks for retreving the information requested on the initial letter, as per the example above.
I guarantee that the responsible party will do everything possible to find your records.
If not, they will tell you exactly where to go and exactly how to obtain them.
MONEY DOESN'T TALK... IT SCREAMS. That is how the empire was built!

Corporal Walsh

thank you Corporal Walsh for that very interesting reply, will try it and let you know how i get on !! pete