I am searching for a relative lost in the First World War - he does not appear on this site or via the War Graves site - were the families issued with UK Death certificates- can anyone confirm please

If by the "War Graves" site, you mean the CWGC on-line register, it is not 1005%error free. If your relative has a common surname it may not be possilbe to locate them immediately from a long list of possibles, even if you have a date of death, as many entires have no next of kin details.

I think I'm right in saying that unless they actually died on UK soil they were given what's called an "Overseas" death certificate.

If you are prepared to put your realtive's name on this forum I'd be happy to search the "Soldiers who died in the Great War" CD-ROM for an entry.

Thank you krisbee, the name is John Henry Wellsley LILBURN from Sheffield - born 1898 and thought to have been killed in Belgium in 1914

He is on CWGC site. He died 26/8/1918 East Yorks Reg. Son of Annie Lilburn.

Thank you AIB you are a star!

AIB is right, there are only 7 men on the CWGC register with the surname LILBURN, one of which is your relative. I've included his detials here in case you have had problems using the site.

Name: LILBURN, JOHN HENRY WELLESLEY
Initials: J H W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment: East Yorkshire Regiment
Unit Text: "C" Coy. 1st Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 26/08/1918
Service No: 29916
Additional information: Son of Mrs. Annie Lilburn, of 11, Newhall Rd., Attercliffe, Sheffield.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 4.
Cemetery: VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL

The VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL is in France, and just happens to be where my Gran's first husband is also commemorated.

The CD I mentioned adds little, just that your relative was born in Sheffield and enlisted in Sheffield.

krisbee, is the CD-ROM you mention generally available ? I am a real novice at this and would like to help my Father locate any details of his Grandfather, John Frederick Liffen, B.1882, I have photos of him in Army Service Corps uniform , London Family , around Bermondsey possibly , dissapears from records prior to Nov 1917. I have been unable to find any sign on the CWGC site.

Steven,

The CD I mentioned is very expensive £200+, but you might find a library has a copy in your area. I have checked it for the surname Liffen, but John Frederick Liffen is not listed as a casualty.

Are you sure he died while in military service? You won't find him on the CD or the CWGC unless he did.

Sorry I can't help more than that.

many thanks for your efforts they are appreciated