GREATWAR-L Archives

From: "Shane " <>
Subject: [WW1] INTRO and DELVILLE WOOD
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2002 20:12:02 +1000

Hello from Sydney, Australia

My name is Shane London. I found out about this list from someone on
the Bristol and Somerset family research list. My great grandfather,
Charles Joseph Payne, enlisted in the 6th Battalion of the Somerset
Light Infantry early in the war and died from wounds on 24 August 1916
and was buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, France. From the date of
death and the time line of the Somerset Light Infantry website, I have
determined that he died in the 3rd attack on Delville Wood. The Wood
was taken the day after, on the 25 th August, 1916. Consequently I am
very interested in any information I can gather on Delville Wood in
particular, but also on the 6th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry
during those two years. I believe they were also involved in an attack
at Bellewaarde.

I would also like to ask about something else. Several years ago, when
I wrote to England asking about WW1 Service records I was told there was
no public access and that most of the records were destroyed by bombing
in World War 2. I have since heard that some people have in fact
obtained the service records of relatives who served in the British
armed forces in WW1. Could someone offer me some advice on this
issue, thanks.

I do have a copy of the Commonwealth War Grave Commission records and a
photo of the war grave.
A Lance Corporal Bridger of the Sussex Regiment is buried in the same
grave.

regards,

Shane London

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• [WW1] INTRO and DELVILLE WOOD by "Shane " <>