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Thank you for the email Janice, I was not going to bother because I believe it to be impossible.
James Smith born 22 July 1897, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland
Parents: Mary Smith and James Smith
What I know:
My mother, his sister was born in November 1915 and her mother (Mary Smith) told her that he used to hold her as a baby therefore he was alive then. He died in France and his parents were too distraught to go over to see his grave. Obviously this offer was after the end of the war. No-one in family left who may have remembered.
The possible address he was living at the time was Norfolk Street, Sunderland, but it would most certainly be in that area.
My mum was told he was 19 when he died and in the Northumberland Fusiliers, but the only photo I have of his is with a Durham Light Infantry badge on his cap, no date of photo.
Places I have tried are: Ancestry, CWGC and [email protected] all with zero results. Indeed, British Legion Regiments said this one had them stumped. :(
I found what I think may be him on some records in Ancestry, it is like a report-type thingy (sorry if you cannot understand my technical terms LOL) It has his name, the Corps as Durh L I. and underneath North'land Fus. Pte regt. no 35566 and underneath the regt no 5/6769. Under 'roll' it has 0/1/105322 and under page 4771
If that one is him he died 14th November 1916 and is buried Thiepval Memorial. 6796 is the Fusiliers number and 35566 the DLI
The problem I have is that I cannot find the parents, age or address of this soldier (bless him) so not able to confirm.
I have two others with less info but died the same year.
Sorry for the long post and thank you to anyone who may find an avenue I have not.
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You sound like you have a very good match there.
Just a bit of info that might help:
http://www.4thbnnf.com/03_organisation.html
4th Territorial Battalion
Northumberland Fusiliers
1914 - 1918
"Under the Army reforms of 1908, the Territorial Army was formed and organised into regional Divisions, area Brigades and local Battalions. There were 14 Territorial Divisions when war broke out in 1914. A Division (Divn) was in effect a self-contained army of approximately 18000 men including infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineer, medical, supply and signal units. The Northumberland Divn was typical, consisting of three infantry brigades (Bde), namely the 'Northumbrian', 'York and Durham' and 'Durham Light Infantry (DLI)' Bdes. Each Bde was comprised of four infantry battalions (Bn). The Northumbrian Infantry Bde was comprised of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Bns of the Northumberland Fusiliers."
It seems the Durham Light Infantry was a brigade of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
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Thank you Evie, it does sound like a good match, but it so easily might not be. Will have a look at the site you mention.
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There may be something for you there.
http://www.4thbnnf.com/64a_nominalroll2.html
"No official nominal roll for the 4th Battalion exists, however, I now hold data on 5000 fusiliers who served with the 1/4th, 2/4th, 3/4th and 4th Reserve Battalions between 1908 and 1919. The extent of the data held on each fusilier varies considerably. Unfortunately, for many it is limited to the fusiliers' surname and initials, while with others their name, rank, service number, date and place of birth, date and place of enlistment, date and place of death or discharge, memorial location, home address, obituary, photograph and medals awarded are known. Many fusiliers enlisted in the 4th Bns, but were transferred to other Battalions on completion of their training.
Provide me with as much information on the fusilier or individual as you can and I will search my database to identify fusiliers that fit the description. See Terms and Conditions of Search ..."
The J Smiths listed are:
Smith, J; Smith, JE; Smith, JH; Smith, JJ; Smith, JS; Smith, JW; Smith, JWC;
The only one for which there is a link, meaning that the site owner has a photograph, is JW.
I would certainly contact that website owner ... if that is not something you have already done in your very thorough search!!
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Thank you, I have filled in the form and submitted.
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I have had a reply, but they only have details of the 4th btn and he was not in the 4th. I did not expect anything, but thank you very much for the link as I know now that I have tried everything. It is very, very tempting to say that the details I have are his, but without age, parents names or an address I cannot truly do more than say it is a possible.
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