Trench,The Great War Project / Map Leicester 2500

'A Social History Initiative for Local Communities'; 1901 – 1921

Trench,The Great War Project / Map Leicester 2500

WW1 Research Services

Trench Services

Smart Digital Mapping is now expanding its Service strategy to include WW1 research assistance. In this instance, Trench Services is a part of a developing project, entitled ‘Trench’.

Trench Services, WW1, WW1 photos, War medals, WW1 documents
Trench also encompasses projects like Trench – The Great War Project and Blogs from the Front. The photograph, left, shows common items that help the researcher build a narrative about the Soldier in question.

Theses projects are in continuous development and are therefore still on going. Some aspects of the project are not publishes as of yet. However, SDM intends to widen and continue its growth at locations such as :

  • The National Archive
  • Imperial War Museum
  • The National Army Museum
  • And other locations where advantageous

This presents the opportunity to open up time and services. To emphasize, these services are open to any individual, group or general enthusiast. Whether it’s an interest in researching their own ancestors or help in a local project.

The service includes :

  • Researching Soldiers
  • Help understanding
    • Documentation
    • Awards, Medals, Cap Badges, Ranks and other Badges and Insignia
    • Histories and War Diaries
    • and many others
  • Help interpreting soldiers and units in photographs
  • And others, when they arise

Using, with the aid of, where possible and appropriate :

  • Index Cards
  • Medal Rolls
  • Census Records
  • Casualty lists, notably, British Red Cross Enquiry Lists/Soldiers Died in the Great War/Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  • Regimental Histories
  • Unit War Diaries
  • Local Papers, The Times
  • Detail provide by you the client

 

Family archives and possessions

Many of us will have boxes in our wardrobes that contain family archives and possessions. Things like photographs, death certificates, paper cuttings or things relating to the Great War. These objects will all add to the story of your relatives histories.

However, sooner or later, as generations pass on, the objects may be thrown away. Equally, the objects’ stories may become increasingly confused. Now is a great opportunity to learn about how they fit in with your family’s history. As a result, the next generation can receive these narratives and legends. In fact, why not do the project together.

Many items can give you a lead to building your story. Besides the general genealogy documents, (although very useful) there are countless Great War artifacts. Many still hiding in your cupboard. Items including but not exclusive to :

  • Service Medals
  • Photographs
  • Memorial Plaques (dead mans penny)
  • Letters
  • Discharge Papers
  • News paper clippings, etc.

SDM and Trench can help interpret any of the items you may have that could hold clues to what part your relative played in the Great War.

Interpreting Photographs

Photographs are highly important in the aid to identifying activities of the British Tommy. They are a invaluable means for ‘Trench’, in helping to create an account of your ancestors War effort. They are also a highly regarded resource for another aspect of Trench projects, see below.

Any small detail provided by you can, in most circumstances, be a lead to new discoveries. This is no different to the photograph. They say, in one way or another, that a photograph is worth a thousand words.

From photographs, we may learn, or confirm :

  • The regiment and sometimes the unit the man was in
  • An achieved army school certificate or class of instruction
  • Wounded
  • Location of the man and sometimes confirm when that may have been
  • Aid in dating the photograph
  • To name a few
Understanding Documents

Trench Services, WW1, WW1 documents, Service documents, Index Cards, Medal Rolls
You may be doing your family’s history and come across some WW1 documents; like the ones mentioned above. Whether it’s due to, time, terminology, nature or complexity of trawling through these records, please don’t struggle. Potentially, you could miss important leads. Why not allow SDM to provide Trench Services, to help you along.

The image provided here shows examples of Medal rolls, service records and index cards. Depending on your ‘Mans’ circumstances, not all will have them available.

 

 

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