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Subject: [SUNDERLAND] National Roll of the Great War & MARK ABBOTT/DLI Uniform
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 18:33:54 EST

Thanks to all who replied about this publication -it is a shame there wasn't
one for Sunderland.
However, I have now had time to examine the Southampton book, and have very
mixed feelings about it. Firstly, it's very good in that it gives addresses
and a summary of war experience, with quite a few civilian entries. But
secondly, it is obvious that the entries have been standardised to make the
person or family feel good. Everybody did "exceptional service on work of
national importance" or words to that effect, even if they were occupied on
very mundane tasks. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't wish to denigrate any of
our ancestors who contributed to our freedom, but to me it detracts from the
value of the record, particularly since it does list quite a few who lost
their lives. I have analysed the entries for my village - we know how many
served in WW 1 - and less than 10% are in the book.
Now, before I get into hot water for misusing the message board, I have a
question pertaining to my grandfather Mark ABBOTT of Sunderland who was a
bandsman in the Durham Light Infantry. His 1914-1915 star states he was a
private; his 1914-18 medals give him as a corporal. But I have photographs of
him where he distinctly has three stripes on his arm and is wearing what
looks like an officers cap. It has been suggested that he would have been in
the Territorials after the War, and either their uniform was different, or he
had a promption, but one of the photos looks very much like France. Can
anybody comment on the DLI uniform?
Adrian

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