Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hi,
I am part of a team of researchers looking for relatives of WW2 RAF Sergeant (1212794) William Richard Griffiths (born 1921 Barmouth - died 1984 Everton). He was quite a war hero but is sadly buried in an unmarked grave in Everton cemetery.

You can read his story here in the Liverpool Echo (We had an article published as part of our search).
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.live ... 390167.amp

Basically, after leaving the RAF in 1962 he disappeared until we found his burial records. We, however, believe he may have stayed in the Liverpool area during this time. We are quite experienced researchers and have tried all of the usual routes but - to date nothing found. We know at the time of his death he was living in sheltered accommodation connected to Fazackerley Hospital.

We want to trace any immediate family (if they exist) to tell let them know of this remarkable story. I think the answer to find more of his life lies in local records that are not available online or local knowledge.

I would like to ask that if anyone has any ideas or would like to help us in the search then please contact me for more information. (Post a reply and I will pass you my email address etc).

Many thanks
Paul
Belgium

Welcome to the Forum Paul, I am unaware of any sheltered accommodation connected to Fazakerley Hospital, can you give the full address for this so we can give a "local" opinion.

Presumably you may not have been able to check more recent Directories, I can give them a try on Tuesday, what was the occupation given on his death certificate? I know it may have been retired, but perhaps it was "retired something ...."

From Echo,



Also mentioned, Ancestry Tree, little info.

Thanks Bert.

There is nothing to suggest he was in sheltered accommodation, and I would think he was an in-patient at the Hospital, which would be the appropriate one for the area he lived - ie Field Lane Centre, which I believe would be the Field Lane off Longmoor Lane. I could look and see if there is any mention of him in the directories.

Paul,

Shall I invite the tree owner to view this thread?

Hi All

And thanks for your interest.

We have a copy of his burial record from Everton which gives his last address as Field Lane Settlement Fazackerley Hospital. I understand this is now Alt Bank House ..according to this news article
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/lo ... et-3349370

I contacted them hoping they had old records...unfortunately not.

As soon as I work it out I shall upload the Burial Record!

thanks

Paul

Hi Bertieone

yes please!


thanks

hi

I am having problems trying to upload an image... if I click on the image icon

I get

grateful for some advice!

thanks

paulnot wrote: ↑

23 Nov 2018 16:19

hi

I am having problems trying to upload an image... if I click on the image icon

I get

grateful for some advice!

thanks

https://www.lswlfhs.org.uk/phpBB3/viewt ... 16&t=15790

We have searched for:

BMD records... no luck
electoral roll (up to 1970)...there is one William R Griffiths married to a lady called Edna - got marriage cert..not our man
Tried British Royal Legion in Liverpool - nothing.
Exhausted local area of birth (tracked him to the 1939 Register)..he joined RAF 1940. Last place of service was Singapore 60/61. Posted on Friends Reunited and other military friends web sites.
Tried military war diaries for his unit
Got Service Records - they have marital status and children blanked out...as we are not next of kin etc.
tried wills
tried land search
..and more !

Hi

i created an account on Imgur.com and uploaded a photograph there..but still having problems understanding how to get the url into the post..sorry..I will keep playing!

got there!

...also tried to contact the Undertaker EH Roberts...no longer in business

I've notified tree owner on Ancestry, hopefully she will be in touch.

sorry bert... I think that is Di..one of the research team!

Yes it is, no problem.

Hi

on the https://liverpool.gov.uk/libraries/arch ... l-records/ web site, they say they have these records.. I know they are a little early for our man but I wondered if he is listed.. has anyone any experience in them ? I dont understand the "ask permission from the trust"...comment

grateful for any advice

Hospitals that we hold records for

Please note that the date range given below is that of the records we hold for each hospital and not necessarily the dates that the hospital existed. Also where no reference number for an NHS trust is given this means there are no closed records and it is therefore not necessary to ask permission from the trust prior to access.

Fazakerley Hospital (ref: 614 FAZ), 1902-1974 (NHS trust: 6)

Yes it does sound as if their dates don't extend as far as you need, I will ask on Tuesday, they are often good in allowing us access if a death certificate is produced, so perhaps.

The address is Field Lane Settlement, Fazakerley. This relates to the area NOT to Fazakerley Hospital. Field Lane is only a matter of less than a mile away from the hospital but not part of it.

Hi Paul,

It looks like he was staying in a hostel towards the end of his life. There was a homeless hostel in Field Lane Fazakerley and this hostel is referred to in the Liverpool Echo news story you mentioned. It was replaced in 2012 by a new facility. This hostel was not connected to the hospital.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/lo ... et-3349370


Blue

Hi Mary,

many thanksfor offering to check the records on Tuesday. We do know that, according to his service records he was discharged in 1962 the reason given "Physically unfit" . I was wondering if he had an illness that required treatment at the hospital because of his discharge and that he died relatively young ..aged 63.

again thanks for the offer of help and look forward to seeing what you find..we really want to do the right thing for this man and get his grave marked. We are very happy to pay for it but feel we should do all we can to find any family first.

regards

Paul