James NICHOLSON

[Noreen Anne]

Greetings to all forum members!

James Nicholson was in WWII I have a photo of his return to Toronto Ontario on his duffle bag is the number: B-89244 He is in centre of photo holding child his father William Henry is holding the duffle bag.

James is my Great Uncle born Northern Ireland 29 Jul 1904

Emigrated to Toronto Ontario 27 Jul 1914 with his mother Isabella and several siblings including my Grandmother Annie NICHOLSON.

His father William Henry NICHOLSON emigrated to Toronto 1913 one year ahead of the family.

James NICHOLSON married Caroline Lillian ATHERLEY 18 Oct 1924 in Toronto

They had one child Muriel.
Sometime after Muriel was born James and Lillian separated and remained so.

James died 21 Nov 1967 at the Ontario Hopital in Woodstock Ontario.


I can not find any military documentation on him despite 40+ yrs experience in research (Military Research is not my strong suit)

Would anyone know if this number on his duffle bag means anything?
I do have a photo of his return with his father and other family members meeting him.

Appreciate any ideas advice that might further my search.

Kind Regards
Noreen Anne

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Dear Noreen,

Welcome to MLU.!

Always interesting to hear from people trying to find out more about their relatives. You have a name, date and place of birth and I bet the number on his duffle bag is his service number. That would be your starting point to further your research using the tips & tricks as outlined by the late founder of this site, Geoff Winnington-Ball: http://www.mapleleafup.net/locator/research.html

Hope this is of some help,
Hanno

[Noreen Anne]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Dear Noreen,

Welcome to MLU.!

Always interesting to hear from people trying to find out more about their relatives. You have a name, date and place of birth and I bet the number on his duffle bag is his service number. That would be your starting point to further your research using the tips & tricks as outlined by the late founder of this site, Geoff Winnington-Ball: http://www.mapleleafup.net/locator/research.html

Hope this is of some help,
Hanno

Dear Hanno
Thank you so much I felt that it might be his service number !
I shall have a long hard read but the late site founder
Thank you for this forum!
Off I go for reading time
Noreen

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Noreen

That is indeed his Canadian Army Regimental Number.

The Letter shows his geographical Military District and the number is with a block assigned to the sub-unit that he at least initially attested to. It had no bearing on subsequent types of Army service. In this case, B equals Military District 2 (Eastern Ontario) and the number falls with in that assigned to No. 2 District Depot, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps or RCASC. Was he a tradesman?

You can write for his service file here:

http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/transpa...iles.aspx#tab3

If you are not his closest surviving relative or cannot provide proof that he has been dead more that 20 years (pic of headstone, Obituary, Certificate of Death etc) then you will get a file that his heavily censored for personal info and I would guess you don't want that.

Send the proof with your request and specifically ask for an un-redacted file.

regards
Darrell

[Noreen Anne]

Hello Darrell!
Thank you for your response!
The info you have provided is received most gratefully and I can not thank you enough! The late founder of this wonderful forum would be most pleased!
Again my sincere thanks this brings it altogether for me and I will be sending shortly for my Great Uncle Jimmy's documentation!

Originally Posted by Darrell Zinck

Hi Noreen

That is indeed his Canadian Army Regimental Number.

The Letter shows his geographical Military District and the number is with a block assigned to the sub-unit that he at least initially attested to. It had no bearing on subsequent types of Army service. In this case, B equals Military District 2 (Eastern Ontario) and the number falls with in that assigned to No. 2 District Depot, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps or RCASC. Was he a tradesman?

You can write for his service file here:

http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/transpa...iles.aspx#tab3

If you are not his closest surviving relative or cannot provide proof that he has been dead more that 20 years (pic of headstone, Obituary, Certificate of Death etc) then you will get a file that his heavily censored for personal info and I would guess you don't want that.

Send the proof with your request and specifically ask for an un-redacted file.

regards
Darrell

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Noreen

You are welcome.

Please let us know how you make out as every experience with LAC differs. Usually all good but varieties of service etc. You may also need help with what you receive. Any idea if he had a Trade?

Plus we are curious people by nature.

regards
Darrell