First World War, William Thomas Evans, Cinderford collier (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Monday, May 26, 2014, 22:50 (3629 days ago) @ JaneyH

No probs Janey, glad to help, I did quickly look for Walter's baptism and saw a possible match at Blakeney, to a blacksmith too, but unsure if "your" Walter as no mention of middle name Edward, as you say that can be a great help here.
Re the blacksmithing I see William's marriage was to a blacksmith's daughter living nearby, were the father's business partners perhaps ?, the 1911 Census for the Gabbs might be worth viewing.

Yes it's good that none of your ancestors appeared to have died in WW1, but perhaps not that unusual ?, depending on number of men your discussing of course. The official figures suggest roughly 1/3 of the British side became casualties, altho' of course this figure doesn't include a great many who would be considered psychological casualties nowadays.

ie Great Britain mobilized 8,904,467; of which 908,371 died, 2,090,212 wounded, and 191,652 Missing/PoW
http://www.worldwar1.com/tlcrates.htm

The Cinderford War Memorial in the town centre lists some Evans and Gabbs, both common names locally, so there may be some relatives to your ancestors if you try working their trees back. Despite my being born in Cinderford, I knew my parents weren't and we had no relatives in the town that we knew of. However I've since found a large branch of my mother's "cousins" in the town, all found by researching William Wright from the Memorial.
http://www.memorialtranscripts.co.uk/Compressed/gloucestershire_ww1.html

Cheers, Jeff