Doncaster Soldiers

Hi
By any chance would you have something on Alec Smith 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards? He joined up in 1940 at the recruiting office in Doncaster and survived the war leaving the army in 1946. He was from Thorne.
Thanks Nick

 

Unfortunately this photo is all I have on Guardsman Alec Smith, I have him listed as being from Thorne. It was taken from the Doncaster Gazette 4th July 1940 issue page 6. there may well be a write up on the same page regarding information on him. He may have been the Alec smith who lived at 25 Kirton Lane, Thorne listed on the 1939 register as a joiner in a military camp. Born 19th February 1920.

 

Thanks very much, that’s amazing. That’s him and yes it’s the same Alec Smith listed as a joiner living at Kirton Lane. Would you know how I might get access to the historical articles in the Doncaster Gazette please? Thanks again, Nick

 

Yes Nick, the local studies section in the main library library in Waterdale will give you all the information you need to access the newspapers. they have all of the local newspapers on microfiche so you can request a newspaper from whichever date you want and scan through it for your info. if you ring the library they will give you a slot (you can have up to 4 hours). when you get there ask for Liz Astin, she is very helpful and knowledgeable. I don`t know whether things have changed as I haven`t used the library since I compiled my database of over 12,000 photo`s and write up`s of local servicemen and women a few years ago. regards and good luck. Jim. P.S it`s worth trolling through the whole of the 2nd World War papers if you have time as there may be more references to Alec.

 

Just belatedly joining up the dots with this post. Here is what developed re: Sidney Rupert Jones a couple of years ago:
Sidney Charles Rupert Jones

 

Jim, thanks so much for sharing your hard earned knowledge and insight. They’re some fabulous pointers. Best wishes Nick

 

Hi Jim
I’m looking for my grandads details but I don’t know anything about his regiment, only that he was in the trenches in France in the Second World War. His name is Thomas Henry Hutton born in 1909 & lived at Edlington & Stainforth.
Hope you can help, would love to see if he was pictured in the paper.
Thanks
Jane Cobham

 

Jane,

Just sent Jim a PM alerting him to your post. He was logged on in late April, he could have this thread flagged too. Hopefully he will respond.

 

Hi Jane, I have just looked through my records and unfortunately there is no reference to a Thomas Henry Hutton in my data base. There are other Hutton`s but not related. Ironically I was born in Stainforth and lived almost all of my life in Dunscroft, (the next village). Where I knew a Hutton family, I remember Tommy Hutton, Harry Hutton and Susan Hutton, also other members of the family. Sorry I couldn`t help. regards. Jim Mitchell.

 

Hi have you anything on my father W.K.Moore Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) who Joined in 1939. The main RAVC depot during the war was on Donny racecourse. any pics of the camp? Also Their was a large RAVC old comrades branch active throughout my childhood and I went to many events.

 

Hello Jim

I was very interested to read your post about your research into WW1/WW2 service personnel with photographs published in the two main Doncaster newspapers. I wondered if I might trouble you to check if any of the following individuals were located in your searches:

- WW2: Harold MELLOR - lived at Norton, near Doncaster, served in Royal Artillery and died in Japanese hands on 1 December 1942, age 38.
- WW1/WW2: Any references at all to individuals named LIVERSEDGE.

Anything you might locate would be really helpful.

Kind regards

Simon Johnson

 

Hello David. I recently joined the forum, specifically relating to researching some Doncaster-area soldiers. I located this Doncaster Soldiers thread, and found the fascinating message from Jim Mitchell (Shin Gebis) about his collection of over 12,000 WW1/WW2 photographs located from the microfilm copies of two Doncaster newspapers. I posted my query to the Doncaster Soldiers thread, though I noticed that you had assisted a previous poster, in 2022, by sending Jim a private message to alert him to her post. I'm new to the forum so wasn't sure how to send a private message to Jim (perhaps I can't), and wondered if you might be able to assist. I was just keen to ensure that Jim would be aware of my post to the thread. Many thanks.

 

Simon,

Using 'Start a Conversation' accessed via your avatar I have sent Jim a message just. You can only use this facility after x5 pots. Jim was here on Saturday, so should pick the message up.

 

Hello, I'm not sure if this thread is still active but my great grandfather was called John Robert Mead and there was also a William Mead and Abel Mead, could be spelt Meade and they lived in Doncaster, I’m sorry I don't have any information about their service. I would be very grateful if you could see if you have them in your collection please

 

Hi there, I was wondering if you have anything for Harry Clark, 20th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery? I am doing some research into him - he was killed in action in Normandy on 9th June 1944 - and I'd be very interested to see if there was anything about him published in the local papers.

 

Hi Jane, this is all I have on Harry Clark. Hope it helps.Regards Jim.

 

Hi Jim

This is great, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much. I know how long it can take to go through the local papers and as the Doncaster papers aren't on the Newspaper Archive you have created an invaluable resource as I don't live locally.

 

Hi there, I know this is an old post but I am desperately trying to find a photo of my great grandad who lost his life at the somme
his name was George Barlow, He was in the York and lancaster regiment service number 12914. He had served in the 5th 2nd and finally 8th battalion and was a Thryburgh man, but his son my grandad was born in Doncaster and raised in Rotherham. We have his History but no photos. any help greatly appreciated.

 

Hi there, I am a little late to the thread, so my apologies! Do you think these newspapers would cover Rotherham too? I am in the process of trying to find information about my grandfather, and he was born and lived in the Dearne Valley area. I would love some more information if possible please!

 

Hi, I am researching William Allen Mitchell from Doncaster, who was in the tank division on Sword Beach on D Day. He survived and returned to Doncaster. I would be grateful for any information. I don't know his regiment. In process of applying for his service record