Wilfred HORNSEY 3/Worcs Rgt - Pte 6342

[fadedgenes]

Wilfred HORNSEY was my wife's grandfather. We know very little about his origins, and there is nobody left to ask now. We have not found him in any official documents prior to his marriage in Dover in 1909.

He survived WW1 and died in 1943.

In 1914 Wilfred was living in Dover, Kent, with his wife of five years, 3 children and another one on the way. He was a coal miner. He was 36 years old.

His medal card shows that his WW1 service commenced 20th Sept 1914.

He was awarded the British War Medal, British Victory medal and 1914 Star with clasp and roses.

This all suggests that he was one of the members of the early BEF in France and Belgium.

I have not been able to get to Kew yet to search for his records.

I find it strange that he enlisted so early, and in the Worcs Rgt. when he was living in Kent.

I think that this all points to him having served previously in the Worcesters, possibly in South Afica, and that he was a recalled reservist.

Any comments/observations/suggestions on my theory would be most welcome.

Best regards

Dave Dixon

[Guest Rab1]

Thanks you have just switched a light on for me I have the same problem with my Grandads military history record which shows he reenlisted in 1914 but doesnt give any clue as to where he was before that.