Looking for U.S. Navy information from WWI on David Redman :: FamilyTreeCircles.com Genealogy
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Looking for U.S. Navy information from WWI on David Redman

Query by dpress

My grandfather was a kind, generous and strong man. He was my rock and stability during my early childhood years and taught me values, loyalty and faith. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was only ten, and I still miss him today, (I am now 43).

I was often fasinated by the Navy Cross that my grandmother showed me once or twice. When my grandfather died, he had a military funeral, and my grandmother had the flag that draped his casket in her bedroom. I often would look at that flag and wonder what he experienced. I tried as a child to ask my grandfather to tell me about his time during WWI, but all he would say was, "I was in France, and there are things that I saw that I could never share, for it would bring back too much pain."

So, here is all I know. He was in the Navy during WWI and was in France.

His name was David Earl Redman. He was born on September 24, 1896 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His mother was Amanda Redman and his father was David Thomas Redman. Therefore, since his father was David, they called my grandfather "Earl." He had two older sisters, Celia and Louella, and one younger sister, Lydia. Before he was born, his mother had two sons, (Walter and Jacob), who were about two years apart. Both boys died of illness prior to the birth of my grandfather. My grandfather went on to marry his wife, Myrtle Allen, (from Philadelphia, PA). They had three children: Howard, David, and Evelyn, (my mother). All of my great aunts have died, as did my grandmother. All of the children from my grandfather and his sisters are still alive and well, (as are their children, and grandchildren).

Because my grandfather didn't talk much about WWI, no one really knows what he has gone through. I have studied about WWI growing up to get an idea of how my grandfather gave of himself for his country along with his military brothers. I have tried different approaches to start from the beginning with how he entered the Navy, what battles his Naval team was involved in, and how he earned a Navy Star. My family really does not have much information, and it would really help me find closure by understanding what he has gone through. In addition, my 16 year old son, (who resembles my grandfather quite a bit), has become interested in this often forgotten war.

Any information you can give me to help me in my search would be wonderful! If one of your loved ones served with my Grandfather, contact me as well!

He was truly a hero in my life, and a hero who proudly served his country and fellow man.

Thank you.

Surnames: Redman
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by dpress Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2006-12-10 21:58:38

dpress , from Pennsylvania, USA, has been a Family Tree Circles member since Dec 2006. is researching the following names: REDMAN.

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Comments

by allycat on 2006-12-11 15:41:21

Dear dpress, Hi there. I appreciated reading your story about your grandfather. Whilst I am of the generation after yourself, my own grandfather (a Brit) died when I was 10yrs old and he served in WW2.

Have a look at these war-related websites:-

RootsChat.com - Discuss your Armed Forces connections

World War I Forum

206 records for REDMAN in the Debt of Honour List at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Tip: Please edit this journal to replace 'David Earl Redman' in the surnames section with 'REDMAN'. That way it becomes a link to the REDMAN surname wiki page (hasn't been created yet).

Good luck,
Alison
EDITOR from Australia.

by dpress on 2006-12-11 16:46:47

Wonderful! Thanks for the tip, allycat!

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