Edmund Lawrence Durcan

AlwynEvans · 08-01-2012, 15:51

I am researching Edmund Lawrence Durcan. Edmund Lawrence Durcan was born in St Asaph in 1895. He was the third eldest child of James and Mary Durcan (nee Durcan) who had six children. In 1901 he lived at 1 Red Lion Cottage, Gemig Street, St Asaph and in 1911 he was a patient in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Rhyl. His headstone states that he was in R W F. He died on 3 May 1916 and is buried in the Mount Road Cemetery, St Asaph. I have serched the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site and Findmypast and did not find him. Can anyone help please?

**Blairy** · 08-01-2012, 16:14

He was Number 1347 5th Bn RWF

**Baconwallah** · 08-01-2012, 16:20

I think I can add some information. The reason you cannot find your man in the CWGC database is that he died after his discharge and during his service never left the UK. His death, moreover, was not caused or aggravated by war service.

His personal file still exists. Here is what I have on him:

Edmund Lawrence Durcan, 1347 Pte

Born St Asaph. Father James Durcan, Gemig Street.

Educated County School, St Asaph. Motor mechanic, Daimler Motor Co, Coventry.

Enlisted at Rhyl, 5 RWF (TF), 12/12/1913, age 18 years 5 months.
Height 5 ft 7 in. Chest 34 in. Complexion dark, eyes grey, hair brown.
Church of England.

Discharged medically unfit, bronchial catarrh, 09/08/1914.

Hope this helps.

John

AlwynEvans · 08-01-2012, 19:02

John. Thank you very much. This is excellent. Can I ask where you accessed his personal file? My reason for asking is that we are trying to produce a booklet about all the serviceman listed on the St Asaph War Memorial and there are several RWF volunteers.

Regards

Alwyn

**Baconwallah** · 08-01-2012, 19:10

Alwyn, the service file is available in the National Archives and can also be accessed through Ancestry.co.uk if you happen to be a member.

I can copy what there is for you and e-mail you a zip file. Not that there is any more info there, though. But you may want to see the originals.

John

**Baconwallah** · 08-01-2012, 19:15

I just found more info. It appears that Edmund had another go and in Sept 1914 enlisted in the Army Service Corps. He was again discharged medically unfit.

John