Lives of the First World War

Source information

ID: 4844075

Reference: WO372/22

Title: Medal Index Card

Description: Medal index cards were created by the Army Medal Office towards the end of the First World War. They record the medals that men and women who served in the First World War were entitled to claim.

UPP: GBM/MCI/4848605

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 7900500

Title: Parchment Reserve Certificate

Description: Certificate to prove that William Wolstenholme service No 7732, Private 2Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers, Born Blackburn, attested Darwen 6 Oct 1903, had completed his 3yrs service with the Colours & was being Transferred to The Reserve dated 5 Oct 1906, Tidworth. He had been attested for R.G.A. & transferred to R. S Fus. Age 21 years 1 month 5'7 1/2" Brown eyes & hair, trade weaver. Tattoo both forearms.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Additional: Age shown above is incorrect, it should be 19yrs 11months - he had lied about his age on enlistment

Source information

ID: 7900501

Title: Notice of Mobilization

Description: He was required to join the Royal Scots Fusiliers at Ayr on 5 Aug 1914.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 7900505

Title: William Wolstenholme Photograph

Description: My grandfather in uniform, on leave in 1917

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 7900516

Title: Newspaper article

Description: Published in Blackburn Telegraph 1 Sep 1917. He was actually Sergeant not Sgt Major. (promoted 4.9.15). Awarded the MM for leading his company & capturing 2 machine guns & 50 German Prisoners. The Bn War Diary says that this was at an embankment on the Menin Rd. The article mentions that 'He has been in various battles, and had a spell in England, to which he was invalided.'

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 7900537

Title: Grandfather's Military Medal & Bar

Description: Medal (obverse)

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 7900542

Title: Grandfather's Service Medals

Description: Reverse of L -R 1914/15 Star, British War & Victory Medals. He was de-mobbed 12 Mar 1919.His brother Robert & Herbert also served in WW1. His son, Sjt. James Neville Wolstenholme was killed by a Japanese Booby - trap in WW2.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 7933603

Name: 1722368-1

Reference: Copy obtained from the General Register Office

Title: Copy of Death Certificate for William Wolstenholme

Description: This is a copy of the full Death Certificate. It was obtained in October 2009. He died in Manchester Royal Infirmary, but was a resident of Blackburn.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 7933630

Title: Promoted Sergeant

Description: His personal copy from his original Service Record. 'Promoted Sergt 4-9-15

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Additional: Written on a 'defaulters form'! Obviously there was a lack of correct stationary.

Source information

ID: 7933642

Title: Wedding Photo

Description: William standing R. Jane seated R

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Additional: Male standing L believed to be William's brother Herbert. Female seated L unknown

Source information

ID: 7943505

Title: Military Medal Certificate

Description: approx 5 1/2 X 4 1/2" Thin Card. Crest of 30th Division.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Additional: No 7732. Sergt W Wolstenholme, 2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers. 'For your Gallantry and for services rendered to your Country at Ypres you have been awarded the Military Medal. Sincere congratulations (?Wm W Holman) Brigadier General'. The Medal was earned on 31 July 1917

Source information

ID: 7943508

Title: Bar to Military Medal Certificate

Description: approx 8 1/2 X 6 1/2" Paper Certificate. 4th Army HQ Crest.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Additional: HQ, Fourth Aromy, 29 May 1918. 'To No. 7732 Sergeant W Wolstenholme, M.M. Royal Scots Fusiliers. I congratulate you on the gallant act by which you have won the Bar to the Military Medal' Gen'l Rawlinson, Commanding Fourth Army. The Gallant acts took place 21 - 28 March 1918

Source information

ID: 8736348

Title: Family Photo

Description: Taken at the marriage of James Neville Wolstenholme to Isabella Maloney 1941, Blackburn, Lancs. Seated L William Wolstenholme MM, seated middle Isabella Pemberton, nee Wolstenholme, seated right Jane Wolstenholme nee Neville. Back row L-R William Wolstenholme, Robert Wolstenholme, James Neville Wolstenholme.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Additional: Treasured family Photo

Source information

ID: 8736375

Name: Application No. 1695682-1

Reference: From GRO

Title: Copy of Birth Certificate for William Wolstenholme

Description: Copy of full birth Cert dated 9 October 2009

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 8736381

Name: 1505011-1

Reference: from GRO

Title: Copy of Marriage Certificate

Description: Copy of full marriage Cert, dated 13 August 2009 GRO

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 8736784

Title: Campaign Medal Information

Description: Transcription of Medal Card

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 9076801

Title: Gravestone

Description: Blackburn Old Cemetery, Whalley New Road. Section 11 grave no. 4721

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 9076807

Title: Gravestone Inscription

Description: IN LOVING MEMORY OF / WILLIAM WOLSTENHOLME / DIED 23 MARCH 1957 / AGED 70 YEARS / ALSO JANE HIS BELOVED WIFE / DIED 6TH NOV 1962 / AGED 72 YEARS / ALSO JAMES THEIR BELOVED SON / KILLED IN ACTION IN MALAYA / 22ND JAN 1945 AGED 26 YEARS.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Source information

ID: 9208636

Title: Find my Past record transcription

Description: Militia Attestation Darwen 3 Feb. 1903. Born 1886, Blackburn. 6years with 6th Manchester Regiment 9082.

Connected by: Cynthia60869

Additional: The actual images show that he upped his age by 1year to 17yrs 4months. Address 53 Lansdowne St., Blackburn. Weaver, employed by Henry Livesey. 5' 3.75", 102lbs, chest 30.5" + 2.5". Fresh Complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. CofE. Next of Kin Father Robert, Mother Phoebe, same address. He had 49 days Drill on Enlistment. Joined Ryl. Scots Fus. 10/10/03