Military Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Harper - World War 1

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Rose

Rose Report 7 Oct 2013 16:28

I wanted to try and find some records from world war one for two people.
John Edward Harper born 1899 in Bristol and Samuel Harper born in 1897 in Bristol. Their parents were George Harper and Harriett Bryant.
I am not sure of their regiments although have been told that John may have been with the Hampshire Regiment. I also believe he was discharged with ill health.

I am new to finding military records so would be reateful for any help.
thank you

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 8 Oct 2013 11:16

Unfortunately for us, only 30-40% of WW1 records survive - the rest were destroyed during WW2 bombing.

Although he doesn't have a middle name, there is this one

British Army WWI Pension Records 1914-1920 about John Harper
Name: John Harper
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1898
Age at enlistment: 18
Document Year: 1916
Regimental Number: 5161
Regiment Name: 25 Battalion Middilesex Regiment
Number of images: 4

Address 6 Cannon St, St James, Bristol
Occupation Butcher
NOK Mother Harriet Harper of the same address
Age 18 years, 9 months
Attested 1 Jan 1916
Joined at Northampton 28 Jan 1916
Discharged 24 Apr 1916 – cause misstatement as to age on enlistment

Researching:
Dormant member as from 20 Sep 2019 . Click on my board name to send a message

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 8 Oct 2013 11:30

British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 about John Edward Harper
Name: John Edward Harper
Residence: 30 Keynsham Street, Cheltenham
Document Year: 1915
Regimental Number: 2809
Regiment Name: Rgt Z
Number of images: 24

Served in the Gloucester Reg and discharged in 1919 as 'surplus to reguirements'. He had moved to Ipswich by 1920

Researching:
Dormant member as from 20 Sep 2019 . Click on my board name to send a message

Rose

Rose Report 8 Oct 2013 14:54

The first one I am sure is correct as his mother was harriett Harper and they were living in Bristol. I was told he was discharged with ill health but I also heard he was too young to sign up so that could but why he was discharged.
Is there a way I can get the records? Can you get them free on line or do you have to apply for them?
Thanks

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 8 Oct 2013 15:02

I can find them again and email to you if you are sure it is the right person. I did look for census to see if anyone in the family was a butcher.

There was another family with a John, mother Harriet, but father Joseph. :-0

Researching:
Dormant member as from 20 Sep 2019 . Click on my board name to send a message

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 8 Oct 2013 15:58

Jpeg of 1st image, and screen shots into Word for the 2nd and 3rd now sent.

If anyone can save and send Jayne image 2 and 3 as Jpegs, please feel free!

Researching:
Dormant member as from 20 Sep 2019 . Click on my board name to send a message