Tracing disgraced soldier

[JohnnyO]

Hi, I have been posting on another forum here about trying to find out more about my wife's great grandfather. A relative was saying that he was dishonourably discharged from the army, possibly due to beating his partner (not married although records say they were).

His name is Clifford Walter Smith, know as Walter, and he was born in approx 1873 in Warwickshire. I'm not sure if he would have been in The King's, but any way of finding out if there is any military record based on the rumour.

As the name is so common, and I don't have a service number, I can't find out any other information about his service in the Great War.

Many thanks, John

[Blue70]

Have you looked for his service record on Ancestry and FMP? If it's not on there then it's probably one of those records that haven't survived.


Blue

[JohnnyO]

Have you looked for his service record on Ancestry and FMP? If it's not on there then it's probably one of those records that haven't survived.


Blue

Hi Blue, I have looked on both but can see no sign of any dishonourable discharge records for anyone, let alone Clifford. I don't know enough about him, but based on the hearsay, was hoping to narrow it down. Thanks.

[Blue70]

I don't think there's a separate category I think all surviving WW1 service records are together. The last one I remember collecting was for a deserter and his record was with other service records.


Blue

[retiringtype]

I couldn't see any record of a Clifford Walter Smith born in Warwickshire in 1873 but there was one born in Birmingham in 1869.

The army discharge files on FMP include a Walter Smith (2293, Royal Warwick Regiment), born Birmingham circa 1867, discharged with ignominy in 1889, mother Maria Swinburne.

[JohnnyO]

I couldn't see any record of a Clifford Walter Smith born in Warwickshire in 1873 but there was one born in Birmingham in 1869.

The army discharge files on FMP include a Walter Smith (2293, Royal Warwick Regiment), born Birmingham circa 1867, discharged with ignominy in 1889, mother Maria Swinburne.

Hi retiringtype, many thanks for that. I have FMP but still cant see that record. I did see an entry in the British Army Service Records 1760-1915 Transcriptions for him, same service number. 11th April 1888 Chelsea pensioners records. I don't know if that is him or not. My Clifford Smith (known as Walter) says born Birmingham Warwickshire on the 1911 census. l have him as Clifford Walter Smith, born 1873 and mother Clara Amelia Reeves, but that is best guesswork based on the census.

I had a look on GRO for Walter Smith with mother Swinburne, but couldn't find a record.

Would love to be able to prove the fact, based on the family history that he was kicked out. Maybe, just maybe, it is him .

[retiringtype]

I have FMP but still cant see that record. I did see an entry in the British Army Service Records 1760-1915 Transcriptions for him, same service number. 11th April 1888 Chelsea pensioners records

Have you looked at the images? Beyond the first image?

[JohnnyO]

I have FMP but still cant see that record. I did see an entry in the British Army Service Records 1760-1915 Transcriptions for him, same service number. 11th April 1888 Chelsea pensioners records

Have you looked at the images? Beyond the first image?

DOH. I have now, thanks !