How do I identify my great-uncle William Hanson in the WWI Medal Rolls?
QI have found a brother of my Grandad (Edward Bernard Hanson 1896-1963) who is William Hanson (1875-1939) on the National Roll of Honour of the Great War. Edward Hanson is listed in the Royal Garrison Artillery, address 121 Marroway St. Ladywood Birmingham and on the same page is William Hanson, Sapper Royal Engineers, at the same address, where I first learned he existed. It states he received the 1914 Star with Mons clasp, plus other details, but no service number given. His WWI service record has not survived and I can’t identify him in the campaign medal cards, there being too many of this name. I hope an expert can help?
About the national roll
Dave Hanson
AThe National Roll of the Great War was published in 1920 by the National Publishing Company compiled from information submitted by relatives of servicemen of all three services on a paid entry basis, which explains why its 150,000 entries, covered in 17 regional volumes, is only a fraction of those who served. 84% of entries refer to combatants who survived and the National Roll is often the only source of
