fourteeneighteen

Latest client testimonial

Beth Wilkinson wrote from Orpington in Kent on 3 February 2010

I’ve read your report and I’m writing to say that I am absolutely thrilled with it. The report has really brought to life the war-time experiences of my great uncle and I now feel that I have as good an understanding as is reasonably possible of all that he went through. I would unhesitatingly recommend your friendly and efficient service to anyone who wishes to know more about a soldier’s military service.

Our services

If you are researching men or women of your family who served in the British army during the Great War of 1914-1918, you may be finding it hard. You may even have hit the brick wall. We can help. Welcome to our website.

When? You will need our services if you are finding it hard to search the sources of information, or if you are struggling to understand what the military documents are telling you. More

What? We search for army service records, medals records and all other known sources of information. We then interpret what they say and create as detailed a narrative history as it is possible to produce. This is where the experience of more than 3000 such projects comes in. More

Why? You not only need documents - you need insight. There are many people who will look things up, but fourteeneighteen brings real value by turning words, acronyms, squiggles and abbreviations into family history. More

Who? fourteeneighteen is the brainchild of Chris Baker (past Chairman of the Western Front Association, producer of the Long, Long Trail website, founder of the Great War Forum and military author). More

Online quote now!

Online? Now? fourteeneighteen communicates electronically with our clients. You can obtain a quote for research, place your order, track our progress and receive all documents and reports fully online. Why not start right now? Get your quote and place your order now

Another happy client

Madeleine O’Byrne wrote from Ireland on 2 February 2010

I would like to thank you very much for the documents concerning George. It was great to add to the little information that we have. With the exception of his bronze plaque, all documents and medals belonging to him were stolen in the late 1940’s. As you are probably aware, the political situation in Ireland had changed by the end of The Great War. Families with sons who served in the British Army did not talk about them so no information was passed on to the next generations. It is because of this that those of us who are researching our family histories are grateful to companies such as yours to find out the information we require. The information you sent in relation to the 12th Prince of Wales Lancers, the maps of the battle area and the war diaries for September and October 1914, gave me a great insight into the last two months of George’s life. He has become more real to me and he can now take his proper place on the family tree.
I hope to use your company again in the future, to search for George’s brother, Leopold, who also served in the Great War and survived.

Great War image of the month: February 2010

British infantry occupying a breastwork in a quiet sector at Armentieres, 1916. The two men sitting on a duckboard (and wearing steel helmets) are “chatting”: hunting for lice in seams of their their shirts.

What is the picture in the frame at the top?

The men in the frame are from the 527th (2nd Durham) Field Company of the Royal Engineers. Top left is Tommy McSloy, a blacksmith from Blyth in Northumberland. When he returned from the war, Tommy’s employer had filled his job, so Tom moved to the nearby colliery town of Ashington. Formerly a shipyard worker, Tom worked on the surface at Woodhorn Colliery. He gained some small fame in later years as one of the Ashington Group, the artists known as the “Pitmen Painters”.