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British Army

Commemorating the start of World War I

Posted on 3rd August 2014

This weekend is the centenary of the start of World War I and yesterday (2nd August) we marked this with three fascinating talks at our Family History Centre by Col Iain Swinnerton, the Society’s Military Advisor and a renowned military and family historian Iain started by discussing the causes of the war and then moved on to talking about the history of the Somersetshire and Dorsetshire regiments and the role they played during the conflict After a tea break Iain then provided helpful... more

The Greenwood Tree – August 2014

Posted on 20th July 2014

The August issue of the SDFHS journal, The Greenwood Tree, is now at the printers and will be distributed to all members shortly The Editor, Bob Barber, previews the contents of this very special edition As the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War approaches we will be subject to a rolling barrage of books, newspaper articles, television and radio programmes and local and national events and exhibitions The SDFHS is no exception in attempting to acknowledge the sacrifice... more

The East Dorset Group hear about a Dorset-born Canadian, Ernest Seward.

Posted on 22nd February 2014

Pat Hilbert and John Tanner of the SDFHS East Dorset Group describe their new venue The SDFHS East Dorset Group has now held its second meeting at its new venue, the Hilda Coles Learning Centre at the Priest's House Museum in Wimborne with around 30 attending on Monday 17 February to hear Alan Brown speaking on The Life and Times of Ernest Seward, a Dorset relative of his Ernest fought in the Boer War then emigrated to Manitoba but joined up again to fight in a Canadian regiment at the Somme... more

Your Journal needs you!

Posted on 7th January 2014

Bob Barber, the Editor of the Society's Journal The Greenwood Tree needs your help: Have you made any New Year resolutions Why not make it a priority to put pen to paper and write up some aspect of your family history research The Greenwood Tree is your journal and can only continue if members send material for publication Publishing your research gives it exposure to a wide audience and can often answer questions or help to make contacts with others interested in the same area In August... more

Basic sources for tracing World War I soldiers

Posted on 30th November 2013

As the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I approaches, Col Iain Swinnerton, SDFHS Military Adviser, summarises the basic sources for tracing and identifying soldiers who fought in the War The Medal Rolls Every soldier who served in a Theatre of War received at least the British War Medal and the Victory Medal However, you must remember that many soldiers did not go overseas or did not do so until the war was over, when they were sent to join the Army of Occupation in Germany, so... more

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