GREATWAR-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] Service Records/War Graves/Tusculum
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 20:55:06 +1000

Margaret

Our records here in Australia are the envy of other countries. Just think
they were going to throw them all out a few years ago.

One other really easy thing to try is to go back to the National Archives
Web Site, and select search, the record search facility and search on your
father's name (using a variety of types, such as full name, surname and
initials etc). Put 1914-1920 in the date range to limit the search. This
will tell you if the archives have any other files indexed which relate to
your father - there are a whole heap of files on things like war gratuities,
courts martial, pay books etc. You may find nothing but you never know...

Also, on the War Memorial Web Site (www.awm.gov.au) try searching the
various databases, to see what you might come up with, particularly the
photographs and the private records (but it is worth doing a search on
everything, just in case).

Finally, if you want a bit of background, many units have had their WW1
histories written. Most of these are in the National Library. You can
check their catalogue on the web, and maybe call in next time you are
passing Canberra. I actually found a reference to the circumstances of
death of a distant cousin in the 38th Battalion ware history, information
that is not available on the service record.


Cheers



Peter Gibson
Queanbeyan Australia

----- Original Message -----
From: Margaret Rose <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 12:27 PM
Subject: [WW1] Service Records/War Graves/Tusculum


Have just joined the list and found much useful information in the archives.
Thank you Iain for the very helpful summary of the various air units.

Also interesting has been the discussion on obtaining service records. Last
year I wrote to the National Archives of Australia to ask if I could get a
copy of my father's record in WWI, and how much it would cost. A couple of
weeks later I received photocopies of all(?) the pages in his dossier in a
very attractive, specially printed folder, matching printed sheet of useful
abbreviations, facts sheets, addresses, and a bill for $A15 (trusting
souls - and worth every cent!). As well as his enlistment form, movements,
medical records, etc. there were also copies of such things as a very
poignant letter from a young girl he'd left behind asking if the army were
keeping his letters from her, anxious telegrams from his mother after he was
wounded, a passionate defence of his wish to be allowed to take his
discharge in England rather than being repatriated - an invaluable insight
into the personal background of a young man at war.

A similar application this year to the New Zealand authorities for the
records of Dad's two older brothers who served with the Auckland regiment
took longer, were not as detailed or as attractively presented, but cost
nothing (they even returned my International Reply Coupon and self-addressed
envelope). No charge for two records up to 25 pages total.

An application to UK authorities for a record of my father's service with
the RNVR in Palestine in WW2 cost £25 (+ $A15 bank charge at this end) and
produced no result at all.

A search on the War Graves site for one of the above uncles who was killed
at Gallipoli also turned up a Pte 1st Class Frederick William TREACHER, 1st
Aircraft Depot, R.A.F., died 6/11/18, remembered at Lowestoft (Kirkley)
Cemetery, Suffolk. This is the right name (not common) and age for a cousin
of my father's, but I don't have much information about this branch of the
family. Unfortunately, unlike other war graves, there is no mention of any
family, or any battle involved and the only other information given is the
address Tusculum. An e-mail to Lowestoft Council bounced, the RAF just sent
an application form and request for £25 (very reluctant to take this route
after previous experience). I will certainly follow the advice given to
Thelma and contact the War Graves Commission, but in the meantime I would be
grateful if anyone has any information about Tusculum and/or 1st Aircraft
Depot. I would also have thought November 1918 was a bit late for a battle.

Margaret ROSE
Wagga Wagga, Australia
Researching
TREACHER : Bombay, Poona, Brockley, Battersea, Penge, Auckland








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