Machine Gun Corps Research Assistance, Help WE Need and Reading Suggestions
updated on 31sth August, 2019
All cheques must be made out to Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association, never an individual.
I THANK YOU FOR NOT EMAILING US
BEFORE READING THE INFORMATION AND ADVICE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
FIRST AND FOREMOST - PLEASE BE PATIENT.
The Honorary Secretary, Committee and any and all helpers give their time free and are volunteers, sometimes you may have to wait for a written mailed response, emails tend to be answered quickly.
General membership and events enquiries email to Mrs Judith Lappin, Honorary Secretary at this address:-.
info@machineguncorps.co.uk
Judith will try to assist for general enquiries but for individual research, you need to contact Graham Sacker at www.machine-gun-corps-database.co.uk
You can help us too:
- History Project. A group of members are researching with a view to writing a history of the Corps. If you can help or would like to participate, let us know and your details will be forwarded to the group.
- MGC/OCA Graves Photographic Project. Members take photographs of individual gravestones of MGC men, this is our way of trying to ensure that each man who gave his life is remembered and every one is visited as a special individual act of Remembrance. We have a collection of many thousands of photographs. All the graves and monuments in France & Flanders have been photographed as well as the UK.
If a member is unable to visit the grave of a relative, we will try to
obtain a photograph.
If you are going abroad, especially to far flung places, we would really appreciate it if you could look out for MGC graves and photograh them. We can give you a list of graves near any town in any country you visit.
If you are able to take photos, please ensure you also take a close up of the base of the headstone since the only way to know if there is an inscription paid for by a relative is to actually see the gravestone. And also some pics of the general layout and location of the cemetery.
Please see News page for list of overseas graves needing to be photographed. Thank you.
You may like to read the following Books:
- With a Machine Gun to Cambrai by George Coppard.Cassell 1999.
- The Mudhook Machine Gunner by Allan Mott (Galago Books).
- The Machine Gunner 1914-1918 by Charles Crutchley (Imperial War Museum Books). You may be interested to know that this book was re-printed and was available in the shops to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Corps. (You can purchase copies from Judith at a reduced rate.)
- 1916 Diary of Ernest J Coleman and finally a recent publication, Mud, Blood and Bullets by Edward Rowbotham (Amazon).
- A long list of books relating to the MGC is available.
***
We want every man who served with the Corps to be remembered as an individual, not just a number and would be pleased to receive copies of documents you hold and a photograph of him.
Anyone can go to the National Archive (formerly called the Public Record Office) and search for documents at no cost other than photocopying.
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS:
GRAHAM SACKER
Graham, a member of the OCA and author, has done huge amouts of research into MGC soldiers and history, contact him via his website: machine-gun-corps-database.co.uk
GENERAL RESEARCH ADVICE FROM ANY SOURCE
ALWAYS INCLUDE A SAE OR STAMP WHEN YOU ASK FOR HELP.
Take a tip from us, many people assume that 'they' are paid to help
or 'they' get money from the
Government to help.
or 'they' can pay for the stationery and stamps needed to answer questions.
Generally, 'they' get nothing, no financial help at all and many times all responses are from unpaid volunteers at many regimental associations and so on.
If you want to get your letter to the top of the pile, be polite, be patient, pay your way with a stamp and say thank you after you receive a response too. Many people who help you are unpaid and certainly everyone involved with the MGC/OCA does so for love not money.
THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, has it's own web site, where you can
visit to see the valuable work that they do. It has an on-line database
containing the details of every soldier killed since the onset of the First
World War and the site of their burial. Provided that you know the name of
the particular soldier, (year of death, nationality also help, but as with many a database, often theless you put in the better the result!) you can
utilise this service free of charge.
This site is well worth a visit, why not make a donation to their work as a thank you for the free search?
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVE, KEW
The National Archive (formerly known as the Public Records Office) at Kew, is another very valuable source of
information. Many soldiers records are held here, (those that survived
fires and the Blitz) and information can be found among the War
Diaries and Medal Rolls. Their web site, offers valuable information
about archives available for research, opening times and advice.
A digital photography service can be used free of charge, take along your digital camera (no flash nor tripods allowed) and laptop computer.
**You will need ID to get a readers ticket on your first visit.
Their website also offers some on-line searches either free or for small fees. Look for the Medal Card for your relative.
Click on icon to go to site.
THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
The Imperial War Museum has a very interesting web site which
providing information on all the exhibitions taking place during the
year at it's various venues. The reading rooms at the Imperial
War Museum are a valuable source of rare First World War histories
which you may find are very useful to you. Many are now available online anywhere and at the museum itself. You will need to
telephone in advance and arrange a visit to the reading room so that
the staff can have the documents you require ready for you. In
additional to documents and printed books, there are exhibits and
firearms, sound, film, photographic and art archives. If you are
unable to get to London, you will find that the staff there are very helpful.
Click on icon to go to site.