Does anyone have the surname PENNOCK? I have this book, you see ......

[Desiderata]

I bought it in an Oxfam shop in Coventry seven, maybe eight years ago.

I believe it's quite valuable, but I would like it to be returned to the family of the man who originally bought it.

His name was J H Pennock, with PIP in brackets. He was a soldier in the Great War. He was in Poperinghe (near Ypres) in October 1917.

He was in the late Signals H/79 Bde, RFA

He was entered as a clark to TocH (Talbot House) in December 1922.

The Book is Tales of Talbot House (1st Edition) by P B Clayton.

Sorry for the monotone delivery of this OP, but I wanted to get all the facts in from the off

So ... anyone have the surname Pennock?

That's because I entered the wrong link. It should be freebmd.rootsweb.com

Oh wow been reading this thread from the start what a wonderful, wonderful, ending. Would you upload his picture on your profile Desiderata, for a couple of days? And a pic ot the flyleaf, or am I kicking the ass out of it?

I'd love to do that, Tartan, but I don't know how .

Give me a day or so!

Don't know how you got Dumbrell etc. as when I try searching I get absolutely nothing. Would be v. grateful for any tips...

Actually I'm clearly doing something very wrong as just for a test have looked myself up and got nothing, then tried mother/sister/father with no result... please do me an idiot's guide!

Oh... that I did at [www.ancestry.co.uk. The BMD searches used to be free to access, but they seem to shield some of the results now - the names come up, but not dates or districts.

Ahem - at www.ancestry.co.uk. Maybe we should take this non-Pennock stuff to a new thread.

Good point, sorry Desi.

Trouvere, yes that would be a good idea, if Edam's happy to go ahead.

Edam, do you want to start one? I'm sure the agency did a pretty thorough job, but the power of Mumsnet and all that......you just never know!

Must have been a real shock for your mum

oh sorry, I was still typing when you posted.

Trouvere, have started a new thread here

Mercy, yes, it was.

Desi - any news?

Also, I thought you might be interested in this documentary which is on tonight The Trench Detectives

Mercy, so sorry for your ignoring your post of 7th August. I didn't see it, but this thread has been mentioned again in active convo's, so I thought I'd just update again.

The book was duly sent off, and was received the next day by Joseph's great-grandson. The family were overwhelmed to receive it ... and I can't help thinking how wonderful it must have been for a grand-son to be able to give it to his grandmother (Joseph's daughter). When she is long gone from living sight, he will always have that precious memory.

He has since written me a letter to say that the book has now been brought to the attention of national archives. They are giving him advice on how to preserve the book.

It's material worth has been verified. It's emotional worth is, of course, beyond value.

Thanks so much for all the interest everyone took in this story.

... and sincere apologies for the hyphenation in grandson!!!!!

thanks for the update, Desi, such a lovely story.

Did you have any luck, Edam?

This is my favourite thread, Desi.

lol

you are such a pedant

What a great end to a fascinating search.

No problem!

What a great thread

Thanks, girls!

Yes, TnOgu, I am a bit of a nightmare, (but not infallible, eh!)

Not so far, Desi, but I did get some interesting ideas from MN and am hopeful it is worth trying again. Before your thread we'd rather written it off as something that would never happen. So thanks for the inspiration! Am very happy for the Pennocks anyway, whatever happens to our own search.

Thanks for the update Desi - what a lovely ending and good luck Edam in your search.

only jsut seen this, well done guys!!

You know, after all the goings on over the last week or so, this thread has made me feel very happy.

Well done to all those involved.