Alan Greveson's World War Forum (Page 1)

Hello,

can anyone please help,, im trying to find details on my grandad (john charles Brown), he was in ww1 and possible ww2, was born in fulham, london, i know my nan use to draw a war pension of his but cant find anything on him,

Looking for information on my grand uncle.Otto c. Roberson or Robinson, died 17/oct/1918. Ark.Pvt.307 trench mortar battn. 82 div.grave marker is in omaha arkansas

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Thursday 2nd February 2012 at 11:29 AM
Dear James,
You would need to discover if his service record has survived. See:
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Kind regards,
Alan

Hi - I am looking for more information on my Grandfathers World War 1 army service. I have found a medal card which tells me : Arthur Williams Lance Corporal Royal Engineers 3/9/14 to 25/5/18. Reg no:86142. It also says Tun Co Div. Under action taken it says List RE 1979.

I can't find him under service records or pension records - he was born in London In January 1880.

Any help anyone can give would be very much appreciated!

Thanks Chris

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 4:58 PM
Dear Chris,
There are two medal cards for Arthur Williams 86142. One showed his entitlement to the Silver War Badge for being discharged wounded through gas poisoning. He was discharged from a Royal Engineers Tunnelling Depot Company which indicated he had served in a tunnelling company but not which specific company. The depot from which he was discharged would have been an administrative depot in the UK. For a list of tunnelling companies see:
http://www.1914-1918.net/tunnelcoyre.htm
The second card for his campaign medals indicated he had served with the Welsh Regiment and the Royal Engineers. His date of entry into France was recorded as 20th January 1915, which may have been with the 1st Battalion The Welsh Regiment who went to France in January 1915. Without a service record it is not possible to suggest which units he served with. However, I note that the Royal Engineers with five digit regimental numbers starting 861* all appear to have served previously with the BEF in France by early 1915. That implies a structured transfer of soldiers already in France to a tunnelling company. The soldier with the RE number 86141 had also served in the Welsh Regiment as had the soldier with the RE number 86145. The soldier named Gomer Davies was transferred from the Welsh Regiment to the Engineers with the RE number 86141. He was killed and his record showed he served with the 170th Tunnelling Company. David Hughes, of the Welsh Regiment was also transferred to the RE with the number 86146 and he served with the 170th Tunnelling Company. Of twenty soldiers who died in the war and had five-digit RE numbers starting 861* all twenty served in tunnelling companies; and fifteen of them died while with the 170th Tunnelling Company. However, that is no evidence that Arthur Williams served in the 170th company, or that he was not transferred from one company to another. There is circumstantial evidence he was transferred from the Welsh Regiment to the 170th Tunnelling Company when it was formed, but no evidence he remained with that company throughout the war.

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Chris Williams
Date: Thursday 2nd February 2012 at 9:58 AM
Hi Alan

Fantastic! Thanks for your help. Presumably his service records will have been destroyed, so there is no point pursuing this or the Welsh Regiment connection.

In 1915 Arthur was 35 years old and he was a Lance Corporal during the first world war. Could this rank mean that he had previous military experience? The reason I ask is that in the 1901 Census there is an Arthur Williams born in 1880 who is a Private in 7th Hussars Queen's Own at Aldershot. If this was him, how long would he have had to sign up for when he joined? Is it likely that he would sign up to a different regiment at the start of World War 1? Finally, are there any records for the 7th Hussars that can be examined?

Thanks for all your help. Chris

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Thursday 2nd February 2012 at 12:00 PM
Dear Chris,
The "rank" of lance corporal was actually an "appointment" within the power of an officer commanding. The soldier was usually paid as a private soldier and could be appointed to lance-corporal or reverted back to private by the officer commanding. A "rank" could not be removed by an officer commanding. So, in that sense, being a lance-corporal was not dependent on length of service. In many New Army battalions, lance-corporals were appointed from recruits who had some previous leadership experience or skill. It is not possible to identify an individual soldier in the 1901 census as the name Arthur Williams occurred frequently and the place of birth was simply stated as London. Any service record for that period would by in series WO 97 at the National Archives only if the soldier had retired to a pension. These records can be serach at Findmypast.co.uk His service record would show his length of service on enlistment. Had he continued to serve from 1914 his record would have been retained by the War Office and would then have been among the First World War records of which only 40 per cent have survived.
Kind regards
Alan

Hi, I have been researching Private Bernard COYTE (#4757) of the 13th Bn, AIF. I have his service records and more recently his court martial record (21st June, 1917 in London; sentence for 90 days after already being in custody for 20 days for fraud) from the national archives in Australia. As the AIF did not have its own military detention barracks until November 1917 I am wondering if there is any way of discovering where he may have been held during his period of detention or if not where were some of the British military barracks? I would also like to understand what life would have been like for soldiers in these barracks/prisons. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 3:31 PM
Dear Jenny,
It is not possible to be precise about which detention barracks or prison Bernard Coyte served his 90 day sentence. His court martial was in London and he was arrested in London at Horseferry Road and detained for three weeks awaiting trial. That period of detention may have been at Wandsworth Prison as that would have been the nearest prison serving as a detention barracks. During the war, the armed forces used civilian prisons as detention barracks. The only permanent British detention barracks were at Aldershot and Colchester.
After his trial he would have served his 90 days at a detention barracks used by the AIF. The system was that detainees were escorted to Tidworth Garrison in Wiltshire where the AIF had its depot headquarters for the Provost Marshall. The prisoner would then be detained at Tidworth by the Provost Marshall until a place could be found for him at a detention barracks. This involved telephone or telegram messages being sent to the barracks to see what space they had available. Men were then dispersed to serve their sentence at Aldershot, Chelmsford, Devizes, Devonport, Gosport, Parkhurst, Pembroke Docks, Stafford or Wandsworth. The paperwork for Bernard Coyte does not state where he served his sentence.
See also:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb271/is_2_46/ai_n29193695/?tag=content;col1

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Jenny
Date: Thursday 2nd February 2012 at 1:01 AM
Thank you so much for taking the time to explore my question and quick reply. You have been a great help to me. Thanks!

I managed to get over 20 docs online for my grandad James Collins 22290 KORL Preston. Army 1915-1918.
After further scrutinising the documents I have it would appear that my grandad was awarded a Victory medal.
I thought I saw a reference to him being in the RAMC but am now unable to trace that paper.
One doc I have is Army Form W. 3202 notification he is being sent home from hospital and discharged under Para. 392 [xv1]. Beside the officers name who signed the form at the bottom of page is a stamp for the RAMC, but I am unsure if it is just a stamp for the hospital or if it is related to James Collins 22290.
This form was issued at the Expeditionary Force Office Arbour Hill Dublin Ireland on 13 March 1918 and it says "for the RAMC officer i/c wounded Hospital" in print.
I could forward his docs and medal card for reference.
Sorry for the confusion but I have been online at home, in the library, and at Nat Archives Kew, and I cant remember where I saw RAMC on his paperwork?
He also received the Kings Certificate No. 4/706 on his discharge but I do not see this anywhere in his surviving docs?
It said on the 1916 Rolls that he was in A company 11th KORL so is there any photos of him or his unit available and how would I find out exactly what he did in France and how he was wounded?
I appreciate your support so thanks again.

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 4:56 PM
Dear Denis,
An army medal rolls index card for James Collins 22290 The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) recorded he was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal (indicated by the ditto marks). I have been unable to find a service record for him online at Ancestry.co.uk. Do you have any further details such as date and place of birth or address on enlistment that might identify his records?
Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Denis Menton
Date: Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 5:45 PM
Hi Alan
Tnx for a speedy reply.

James Collins was born in Dublin abt 1885 but no birth records yet. Joined British army in Dublin on 31/8/1915...South Lancashire Regiment No 24142.
2/9/15 at Warrington he was transferred to KORLR 12th[service] A Company and his number was changed to 22290. [Army 1915-1918]
I have copied the link below from ancestry.co.uk where 24 docs are available...some duplicates...his army number there is 24142
His address at signing up was 8 Whitefriar St Dublin, but a typo error has his address as "Whitefrias St" and in some cases number 9 instead of 8

ancestry link:
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/iexec?htx=View&r=5538&dbid=1219&iid=MIUK1914G_131008-00575&fn=James&ln=Collins&st=r&ssrc=pt_t34166822_p18599853264_kpgz0q3d32799_m1&pid=363264

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 7:13 PM
Dear Denis,
Thanks for the link. The paperwork for James Collins does not record any service with the RAMC. There is, as you say, a signature block of an officer-in-charge of wounded, British Expeditionary Force, RAMC, which refers to the hospital administrator.
James was a volunteer who enlisted in the 12th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment on 31st August 1915. The 12th Bn South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in June 1915 and joined 120th Infantry Brigade in the 40th Division at Blackdown Camp, Surrey, in January 1916. The battalion was not up to fighting strength, nor was the 11th Battalion King's Own RLR which was also in the 120th Infantry Brigade. In March 1916 the 11th King's Own absorbed the 12th SLR. The 12th ceased to exist and the battalion became the 11th Battalion King's Own RLR. They went to France on 3rd June 1916 and spent until October 1916 in the trenches in front of Loos-eh-Gohelle in the Pas de Calais. The Battalion then took part in the Battle of the Ancre 1916 which was fought in the Somme region between 13th and 19th November 1916, after which the Battles of the Somme 1916 ended.
After the winter of 1916-17 they took part on the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917 and the capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vaquerie in April and May 1917.
In July 1917 James was shot in the left arm (GSW – gunshot wound) and suffered a compound fracture of the upper left arm (humerus). He was admitted to No 10 General Hospital at Rouen about 10th July 1917 and was apparently returned to the UK as he was administered by the King's Own depot from 25 July 1917. He was discharged no longer physically fit on March 13th 1918. He had lost much of the use of his left arm.

The war diary of the 11th Battalion King's Own is held at Kew in catalogue reference WO 95/2611.

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Denis Menton
Date: Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 9:45 PM
Hi Alan

Tnx for such an informative narrative.
It gives me much to think about so I will say goodbye for now and remember you for future reference.
I am also trying to trace WW2 records for my mother, and my wifes grandad who was a POW for about 6 months.
I just got the forms today from MOD and I also wrote to the Red Cross trying to trace his file as a POW as we have nothing related to his army career so far.
Take care Alan and good luck for now.

Hi Alan
i read that soldiers in barracks had to put thier names on the 1911 census even if they was station overseas. well my grandad samuel gibbs born 1889 was with the 2nd battalion koyli in that year but i dont know exactly where he was maybe cork ? i can`t be sure but i did a search on the irish 1911 cesus and nothing come up but it may not be complete.
Would you buy any chance know where his battalion was in 1911 ? as i want to find him in the 1911 census.
thankyou
mike

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Tuesday 31st January 2012 at 7:19 PM
Dear Mike,
The 2nd Battalion KOYLI was at Victoria Barracks, Cork, in 1911. The 1911 census was not completed by the soldier but by the adjutant and clerks of the battalion. The military barrack lists did not require the full name of the soldier, but allowed simply the first initial of his forename and surname. Fortunately, the clerks added the men's regimental numbers which were then crossed out. Therefore you will find Private soldier 8032 S.G., musician, with 2Bn KOYLI at Victoria Barracks Cork in the 1911 census. See:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001857468/

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Mike
Date: Tuesday 31st January 2012 at 9:29 PM
Thanks once again Alan . your brilliant
regards
mike

Dear Alan, My Great Aunt, Martha Eveline Goggin was in the first world war I believe her number was 30272. She was from Liverpool.Could you possibly give me any information.Thank you. Leleen

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Monday 30th January 2012 at 7:39 PM
Dear Leleen,
No service record appears to have survived for Martha Goggin. Most records were destroyed in 1940 and very few have survived. Fifty-seven thousand women enrolled in the WAAC and only nine thousand records have survived. Without a service record it is not possible to suggest her wartime service. A medal index card showed Martha was a worker (the equivalent of a private soldier) with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps with the membership number 30272. She qualified for the British War and the Victory Medals, so she worked abroad at some stage as the medals were for overseas service in a theatre of war, although women did not work at combat duties.

The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was raised in March 1917 and provided opportunities to serve in uniform other than as nurses. The Corps was renamed Queen Mary's in April 1918 but most women continued to refer to it as the WAACs. Most members were discharged by the end of 1919 and the Corps was officially disbanded in 1921. The workers were employed at Home and in France on tasks ranging from catering, clerical work, driving, telephonists and motor vehicle mechanics.
After the war many individuals had gained a sense of achievement and adventure. Many took advantage of the subsidised "oversees settlement" passages to Canada and Martha Goggin does appear to have travelled to Toronto, Canada on March 16th 1928 on SS Montclare bound for St John. She stated she intended to work as a domestic and in 1934 stated she worked as a waitress. She gave an address in the UK of her aunt in Liverpool, Mrs M Spencer, 8 Highfield View, Stoneycroft, Liverpool.
Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Leleen
Date: Tuesday 31st January 2012 at 7:35 PM
Thank you Alan,it seems that Martha had quite an adventures nature.I appreciate very much your help.leleen

Could you possibly get me any information about my Father with the following details:

- Frank Jessop
- Born - 23/07/1878
- The Sherwood Foresters; rank Warrant Officer
- Boer War
- Discharged with a shrapnel wound

Thank you in advance.

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Sunday 29th January 2012 at 10:56 PM
Dear Frank,
I have been unable to find any surviving record for Frank Jessop of the Sherwood Foresters.
Kind regards,
Alan

Hi Alan would you be able to track down when my grandad samuel gibbs born 1889 transfered to the royal engineers from his service number is 39639 ? he was a private or pioneer. on his medal index card it shows the brtish medal and victory medal with numbers RE/101B1y [ tried getting medal roll for this number but nothing came up or the others] . he was injured twice in the great war with the koyli .
thanks
mike

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 at 9:26 PM
Dear Mike,
No individual service record appears to have survived for Samuel Gibbs so it is not possible to be specific about his wartime service. His army medal rolls index card showed arrived in France on 10th August 1914 with the KOYLI. Unless he went as part of an advance party, this date may not be correct as the first soldiers of the KOYLI did not arrive in France until 16th August 1914. They were the 2nd Battalion KOYLI, a regular army battalion, garrisoned in Dublin at the time. They were still in Dublin on August 14th when, at 5pm, they embarked on SS "Buteshire" to join the BEF in France, setting sail at 7 pm that night.
The date August 10th 1914 does, however, appear on some other KOYLI medal cards issued for the award of the 1914 Star. War was declared on August 4th and the only KOYLI battalion allocated to the BEF was the 2nd Battalion.
The 2nd Battalion KOYLI arrived with 13th Infantry Brigade in the 5th Division to fight at Mons and Le Cateau. Samuel qualified for the 1914 Star with dated Mons clasp and rosette. The card showed his rank as a bandsman and private soldier and the issue of the "clasp and roses" showing he held the least-awarded of the Campaign medals, the 1914 Star with Mons clasp. He was one of the "Old Contemptibles" as the original BEF soldiers nick-named themselves following a German remark about the "contemptible little army".
Samuel was transferred to the Royal Engineers, but no date was given. His rank in the Royal Engineers was "pioneer" which meant he was an unskilled private soldier. Royal Engineers who had trade skills were known as "sappers" and earned about four-pence a day extra for their trade qualification. Those without trade qualifications were known as "pioneers". The distinction was over pay scales rather than status.
Samuel's 1914 Star is recorded on the medal roll O/2/4 which is at the National Archives in Catalogue reference WO 329/2466 "Yorkshire Light Infantry (King's Own) other ranks: medal rolls O/2-59. Pages 1-165. 1914 Star."
The British War and Victory medals are on roll RE/101B17 which is Catalogue reference WO 329/336 "Royal Engineers other ranks: medal rolls RE/101B17; RE/101B18. Pages 3301-3600. British War Medal and Victory Medal."
The Royal Engineers' regimental number might provide a clue. I am no expert but the Royal Engineers five-digit numbers starting in the range 396* appear to have been allotted to men who had served previously in another regiment, implying some form of organised transfer. A William Bilham, who had the RE number 39623 and appeared on the same medal roll as Samuel Gibbs (RE/101B17) was transferred to the Royal Engineers on 8th November 1917. That might suggest a possible timescale for Samuel's transfer, but it does not constitute evidence.
The RE Museum may have some knowledge of the numbering system. See:
http://www.re-museum.co.uk/

The 2nd KOYLI remained in France and Flanders. They served with 5 Division until 29th December 1915 when they moved to the 97th Infantry Brigade in the 32nd Division for the remainder of the war. You can see the divisional engagements up to the end of 1917 on Chris Baker's website: "The Long, Long Trail". Divisions are listed by number under "order of battle".

The war diary for the 2nd Battalion's first 15 months in France is available to download (cost GBP3-50) from the National Archives website. It is Online Document WO 95/1558 "5 DIVISION, 13 INFANTRY BRIGADE: 2 Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1914 Aug. - 1915 Dec./ 9 Battalion London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles) 1914 Oct. - 1916."
See:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?queryType=1&resultcount=1&Edoc_Id=8199325

The war diary for their time with the 32nd Division (1916-1918) is held at Kew only. It is WO 95/2402/ "2 Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 32 Division Date: 1916 – 1919".

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Mike
Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 at 11:52 PM
This is very helpfull. thankyou very much Alan.
regards
mike

Hi all,

I have just been searching for my g/grandfathers medal card on the National Archives website and the good news is I have managed to find it,:

Charles Howes Pte / A Sgt / No: SE/12751 Special Enlistment - Army Vetinary Corps

I've read carefully the notes on the abrevaitions used on the card and am happy deciphering the majority of them, however next to 'Theatre of War First Served in' is 'Two' in Roman Numerals? Does this refer to the Balkans?

He was isued the Victory/British and the '15 Star Medal'

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated

AL

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 at 4:00 PM
Dear Alan,
No individual service record appears to have survived for Charles Howes, so it is not possible to be specific about his wartime service. The medal rolls index card recorded the theatre of war as II which was the Balkans. Some cards used Roman numerals; others the figure 2.
The Balkans could include Gallipoli or Salonika.
The regimental number SE/12751 in the Army Veterinary Corps indicated Special Enlistment for the duration of the war. The number was in a batch that was allotted to men who were recruited as a result of a circular memorandum dated September 30th 1915 calling for recruiting officers to select men who were specifically used to working with horses – grooms, horse-keepers and so on. Recruits with similar numbers to Charles Howe were specially enlisted in the first week of November 1915 and were posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force with the minimum of military training as they were to work with animals.
At the time, the fighting on Gallipoli was continuing, but the Allies eventually evacuated Gallipoli in late December 1915 and January 1916 with the men returning to Egypt. From January 1916, the Balkan theatre involved Salonika as a base for the fighting in Macedonia. Men destined for the Balkans were no longer required on Gallipoli.
Certainly, a group of men in the Army Veterinary Corps who enlisted in November 1915 with regimental numbers 1275* embarked in England on 22nd November 1915 and sailed for Alexandria where they arrived on 11th December 1915. As there was no need to go to Gallipoli, some of these men worked in Egypt for seven months, at Alexandria. The Base Veterinary Depot was at Cairo. From the base depot men were then posted to Salonika in July 1916, some sailing on 5th July 1916 from Alexandria.
There is no evidence that Charles Howe was among these men, other than his regimental number, date of arrival and theatre of war are similar. The most likely scenario is that he served in Egypt for a few months and then Salonika. The AVS provided a Mobile Veterinary Section for each army Division and a base animal hospital, such a 17th Veterinary Hospital at Salonika. For the divisions see:
http://www.1914-1918.net/salonika.htm

You may find more detail from the corps museum which is now the Army Medical Services Museum. See:
http://www.ams-museum.org.uk/museum/

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Al Howes
Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 at 4:13 PM
Alan,

Thank you very much for your quick and extensive reply! That has been indeed very informative. I look forward to to finding out more.

Once again a big thank you

Kind Regards

AL

Hi my great grandad Thomas Lockley Forrester was in the Liverpool regiment and was killed in 1914, 16th November in belgium is there any way i could check if there are any photos of him in any records,there is no grave for him but his name is on the memorial at the menin gate under Forrester T..regards Brian

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 at 4:04 PM
Dear Brian,
Army records did not contain photographs during the Fiest World War. Local newspapers of the time often published soldiers' obituaries with photographs loaned by the family.
Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Brian
Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 at 5:12 PM
Alan thanks for the quick reply and advice i will see if our local echo has any regards Brian.

Hello, our Grandfather, William Walter Smith joined the Middlesex Regiment (Shoreditch Division) 120th, which went to France in 1916. He was killed on 27th August of that year.
I am trying to find out more about what the 120th were engaged in at that time and, if possible, whether he was injured and died of his wounds or was killed outright.
He is buried in the British Cemetery at Maroc, Grenay, France.
Also is there a list for the above Divisiion, it would be interesting to know who joined up with him, he was 35 in 1916, widower, with two small children. Did he have a choice or would he have come under the conscription rules regardless of his family situation?

Sorry, lot of questions, trying to put the whole story together. Any help would be appreciated.

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Friday 27th January 2012 at 10:28 PM
Dear Jean,
The William Walter Smith who died on 27th August 1916 served with the 20th (Service) Battalion (Shoreditch) of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).
A service battalion was a battalion raised by Lord Kitchener for service for the duration of the war. The word "service" was a formality to distinguish it from the already existing pre-war Regular and Territorial Force battalions. The Shoreditch title was acquired because the 20th Battalion was initially paid for by the Mayor and Borough of Shoreditch and was created on 18th May 1915. The battalion was taken over by the War Office on 15th August 1915, and the Borough was refunded the expense. The battalion served with the 121st Infantry Brigade in the army's 40th Division until May 1918 when the battalion was broken up.
A battalion was a man's "family unit". It consisted of about a thousand men and followed the traditions of its Regiment. The Middlesex Regiment raised 49 battalions during the war. Four infantry battalions formed a fighting formation with artillery and other support in an Infantry Brigade. Three Brigades made up an army Division.
The 121st Brigade went to France in June 1916 and occupied the trenches in the area in front of Loos-en-Gohelle in the Pas de Calais until October 1916. It was engaged in trench routine and did not fight in any major engagements until November after it moved south to the Somme in October 1916.
No individual service record appears to have survived for William Smith so it is not possible to state when he enlisted. However, as he was in France in August 1916 and the battalion sailed in June 1916, it seems probable he crossed to France with the battalion and not as part of a draft of later reinforcements. He could have volunteered when the battalion was raised, or he could have been conscripted.
But, as the battalion was undergoing brigade-level training in England in early 1916 and joined its Brigade in February 1916, it was obviously in a state to go abroad in early 1916. Therefore its men would have completed their training, so it is more likely that William had been a volunteer when the battalion was being created or shortly afterwards in 1915. Conscription commenced in March 1916, which would not have given enough time for a man to be fully trained to go abroad in June 1916.
"Soldiers Died in the Great War" (HMSO 1921) stated he was "killed in action" which meant he died immediately. Deaths in the battalion around that date were limited to one or two men a day and he was the only member of the Battalion killed on August 27th 1916, which suggests a period of trench-warfare routine, rather than a set-piece battle. To discover the exact whereabouts of the Battalion in the Loos area you would need to see the battalion war diary which is in the UK National Archives at Kew in Catalogue reference WO 95/2615.

There is a useful map of the front line at Loos at:
http://www.whitwick.org.uk/history/terriers.htm

You would have to visit Kew as a registered reader.
Nominal rolls of men who enlisted when a battalion was raised did not always survive. The Shoreditch battalion might have had such a nominal roll, because it was raised on the lines of the Pals battalions where most men came from Shoreditch. You would need to enquire with the Middlesex Regiment archives which are held by the National Army Museum in London. See:
http://www.armymuseums.org.uk/museums/0000000069-Middlesex-Regiment-Collection.htm

Any battalion during the war never had a constant body of men. Hundreds of men were killed and wounded and replaced with drafts, so eventually a battalion over time consisted of a completely new group of men, as it was consistently losing men and being topped-up by others. So, there is never a single definitive list of men in a battalion. Locally raised battalions may have had an initial nominal roll, which, if you are fortunate, may have survived.

Maroc British Cemetery is located in the village of Grenay, which was just to the rear of Loos-en-Gohelle. William Walter Smith qualified for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Walthamstow War Memorial.

Kind regards,
Alan

Hi Alan,
After a lot of searching I found my Uncle, 39272.Private Richard W Bland 10th/11th Bt Highland Light Infantry. He died 9th April 1918 and is on the Ploegsteert Memorial. I was wondering if there is any way of finding out where and how he died? .
Thankyou

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Friday 27th January 2012 at 3:35 PM
Dear Lesley,
"Soldiers Died in the Great War" (HMSO 1921) stated Richard Bland was "killed in action". This indicates he died while serving at the front, as opposed to dying of wounds or sickness. No other details of how a soldier died are generally recorded other than "killed in action."
The 10/11th Battalion The Highland Light Infantry served with the 15th Division until February 1918.
Richard's medal rolls index card showed he qualified for the British War medal and the Victory Medal. As he did not qualify for the 1914-15 Star for service overseas before December 31st 1915, he did not serve overseas until after January 1st 1916. The HLI had been in France since May 1915, so Richard would have been part of a draft of reinforcements that joined sometime before he was killed. It is not possible to say when he went to France.
The 10/11th Bn HLI joined the 120th Infantry Brigade of the 40th Division on 16th February 1918 and served in the Ypres sector. To establish where the battalion was on 9th April 1918 it would be necessary to see the battalion's war diary at the National Archives at Kew. It is catalogue reference WO 95/1952.
Richard Bland is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. The CWGC says: "Most of those commemorated by the memorial did not die in major offensives, such as those which took place around Ypres to the north, or Loos to the south. Most were killed in the course of the day-to-day trench warfare which characterised this part of the line, or in small scale set engagements, usually carried out in support of the major attacks taking place elsewhere."

Kind regards,
Alan

Hello Alan,

I have found out plenty of information about a GG Uncle, you provided for a distant cousin. The info was fanstatic.

I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction to find out about my Grandfather;s time in the army in between the 2 wars. He was a batsman and I think he spent time in India. If memory serves me correct I believe he served with a Kent regiment, He name is George William Beauchamp and was born in 1904.

Man thanks for your time

Kindest regards

Sue

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Friday 27th January 2012 at 3:34 PM
Dear Sue,
Details of servicemen between the two wars are not in the public domain and are held by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The MoD will release certain amounts of information about a deceased person depending on whether you are next of kin or not. You can apply using the forms for next of kin, or with permission of next of kin, or as a general enquirer. See:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

You will need proof of death; date of birth or service number; next of kin's permission (unless you are the direct next of kin); a cheque and completed forms Part 1 and 2. The next of kin form (Part 1) is for completion by the next of kin of deceased service personnel (or enquirers with the consent of next of kin). Look for "Service records publications" under "Related pages" and follow the instructions. The Part 2 form is entitled: "Request forms for service personnel – Army" found under "Related Pages". Otherwise use a general enquirer's form. A cheque for GBP 30 should be made payable to "The MoD Accounting Officer" and sent to Army Personnel Centre Secretariat, Disclosures 2, Mail Point 515, Kentigern House, 65, Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX Scotland with all the paperwork.

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Sue
Date: Monday 30th January 2012 at 3:38 PM
Hi Alan,

Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I will get onto this straight away.

Kind regards

Sue

Dear Alan, My wife has recently acquired the WW1 medals of her father,also a group photo. On the photo he appears to be wearing the cap badge of his hometown regt., the Manchester Regtiment, however on the medal he is listed as Pvt. 352427 J.H.Comber,Labour Corps. I realise that in the later stages of the conflict soldiers were transferred t o The Labour Corps. Is it possible to find where he may have served?. Thank you,Brian.

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Friday 27th January 2012 at 3:34 PM
Dear Brian,
No individual service record has survived for John H Comber so it is not possible to suggest his wartime service. A medal rolls index card showed he qualified for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. As he did not qualify for the 1914-15 Star for service overseas before December 31st 1915, he did not serve abroad until after January 1st 1916. The medal card recorded service only with the Labour Corps. It is not possible to suggest which theatre of war he served in. The Labour Corps was not formed until 1917. His regimental number might give a clue towards his enlistment for which you would need to study specialist reference works such as "No Labour No Battle" by Ivor Lee and John Starling. See:
http://www.labourcorps.co.uk/

Kind regards,
Alan

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Reply from: Brian
Date: Saturday 28th January 2012 at 9:14 PM
Dear Alan, Many thanks for your prompt reply. Hopefully your suggestion will uncover more information, once again,thank you. Regards Brian