Charles Stokes

[cleever]

Hi,
I am trying to find out any information on my partners Grandfather, a CHARLES STOKES, no 11038. He was born about 1880, and died in Kidderminster in 1941. I am trying to find, where he served, we know he suffered injuries, and would like to know if possible what these injuries were, he was in a wheel chair in the last years of of his life.

Many thanks,
cleever

[LarsA]

You have his medal index cards here

ERROR://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... diaarray=*

They show he served as private, later rising to corporal in the Worcestershire Regiment. One of the cards indicates a Mention in Despatches, published in the London Gazette 18th june 1915. He was then a private in the 1st battalion. ERROR://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPD ... =&similar=

This refers to actions covered in a despatch by FM John French, which can be found here. ERROR://www.1914-1918.net/frenchs_seventh_despatch.htm The Worcesters are mentioned in connection to an attack on Wytschaete, on march 12th, maybe the other officers and men mentioned might give a clue as to this.

The other card probably indicates his next MID, London Gazette 14 december 1917. ERROR://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPD ... xact=11038

Third card would be his WWI medal entitlement (probably a 14-15 star trio)

There might be some information on ancestry.co.uk (not having a subscription at the moment I cannot do a detailed search), where pension records and sometimes service papers are found. Many of those was burnt unfortunately so papers for many men can not be found.

And perhaps there is something more to be learned from the dates of the MIDs from other forum members. I have also found the Regimental Archives to be very helpful, well worth the donation they ask for - link on the first page.

Best wishes,
Lars

[cleever]

Hi Lars,
Thanks for a detailed reply, We were hoping to find were he was from, we are not sure if was born In Kidderminster, we will have to try the Regimental archives, could you explain what, --- Third card would be his WWI medal entitlement (probably a 14-15 star trio) actually means,

Many thanks for you quick reply,
Regards,
Cleever

[LarsA]

Forgive me for not being more explicit. The third of the Medal Index Cards would show what WWI medals Charles Stokes was entitled to. If he (as i guess from his service number) came to france in 1915 he would be entitled to a 1914-15 star, a war medal and a victory medal. There would be no reference to his place of residence on that card unfortunately.

I tried to search for pension records on ancestry, but found no one with the regimental number 11038. Perhaps he stayed on in the army after 1918? Or the papers may just not have survived.

Hope you get something more from the regimental archives,
kind regards,
Lars

[cleever]

Hi Lars,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, Iv'e had problems with my computer, thank you for the details you have given me.

Thanks a lot for looking,

Cleever