Geertsen Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Hi, I acquired this framed Memorial Scroll recently and have been trying to research the serviceman listed on the scroll without any luck. I can't seem to find a reference anywhere. I've checked the National Archives Medal Index Cards, the CWGC and Ancestry; all have returned no results. Am I going wrong somewhere? The scroll is named to Gunner Edmund Richard Darkin, Royal Field Artillery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spasm Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Geertsen Unfortunately not all are available: "The majority of WW1 service records for ranks other than officers were destroyed during a 1940 air raid. Those that survived - fewer than 40% - are available either at Kew (WO 363, the so-called Burnt Documents), or on-line through Ancestry. The chance of finding a service record varies greatly from regiment to regiment." Maybe the Arty type chaps on here will be able to help. You might find some rolls through the Royal Field Artillery sites. Sorry, not much help but it might be why you can't find your man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Hi, found an Edmond Richard Darkin on the 1911 Census (on FMP)...aged 15 and living in Richmond, Surrey. Not sure if he is your man. Different spelling of Edmund.... Owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geertsen Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Wow! Thank you very much Owen! The funny thing is, I bought the scroll in a second hand shop just outside Richmond! There must be a high chance that's him and it's spelt incorrectly on the scroll...? Thanks again for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geertsen Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Hi Spasm, Thanks for your help. I didn't realise that the loss of the service records also meant the loss of records of those killed in WW1...? What a shame. Geertsen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 I can't get on the CWGC site, have you tried spelling variations of his surname? Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul wood Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Cant find him on the CWGC, I have had this before. You need to get hold of a copy of Soldiers who died for the RFA, I have had occasion where a person is not listed on the CWGC but is listed in the relevant volume of soldiers who died.Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddywhack Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I wonder did he maybe die in the uk before getting to fight and thats why there is no mic etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul wood Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Even if he died before going abroad he should still be on the CWGC site and certainly in Soldiers that Died.Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddywhack Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 True which is odd thats hes not there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayedeeyew Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) I would put money on this being the man as listed on the CWGC: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/306086/DARBIN,%20EDWARD%20RICHARD Name: DARBIN, EDWARD RICHARD Rank: Gunner Service No: 960622 Date of Death: 15/08/1918 Age: 22 Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery, 104th Bde. Ammunition Col. Grave Reference: I. D. 19. Cemetery: HILLSIDE CEMETERY, LE QUESNEL Additional Information: Son of Harriet Darbin, of 147, Lower Mortlake Rd., Richmond, Surrey. Edited November 12, 2014 by ayedeeyew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayedeeyew Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) I would put money on this being the man as listed on the CWGC: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/306086/DARBIN,%20EDWARD%20RICHARD Name: DARBIN, EDWARD RICHARD Rank: Gunner Service No: 960622 Date of Death: 15/08/1918 Age: 22 Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery, 104th Bde. Ammunition Col. Grave Reference: I. D. 19. Cemetery: HILLSIDE CEMETERY, LE QUESNEL Additional Information: Son of Harriet Darbin, of 147, Lower Mortlake Rd., Richmond, Surrey. Edit - and armed with that service number, I got the following MIC: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2080916 Reference: WO 372/5/164347 Description: Medal card of Darbin, Edmund R Corps, Regiment, No, Rank: Royal Field Artillery 1473 Gunner, Royal Field Artillery 960622 Gunner Date: 1914-1920 Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record Edited November 12, 2014 by ayedeeyew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Good find! I checked spelling variations but obviously gave up too quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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