First World War information

[apowell]

Hi everyone,

I was so pleased with all the support and help I received from the forum I would like to offer some help in return so I'm willing to complete a search for anyone on relatives First World War service history. I won't be able to post original copies of any documents but I could give the basic information that's included on the records (including Medal Index Cards).

Please be aware that about 60% of the records were destroyed during the Blitz so only 40% still survive (service and pension records). The Medal Index Cards I think were untouched.

Hope this will help in your search.
Regards
Adrian

[Northern Lass]

Thanks Adrian that is a truly great offer!

I will route out my Arthur Rose stuff as there is something strange there and it goes over my head these army records
So thanks

[mallosa]

That's really kind of you Adrian, thanks for your offer of help

[Rob]

Hei Adrian How vai mitä?
Voisitteko te tutkia minun isoisääni Frank Williams?

How's about that then? Good or not?

[apowell]

Hei Rob,

Suomesi on hyvää, tarvitsen apuasi. Missä opit sitä? Jatka samaa rataa!

I'm running out of ideas of what to say in Finnish so back to English . I will gladly do the look up but have you his date of birth, roughly where he lived and his Regiment.

Regards
Adrian

[Rob]

Well he lived in Mott Street Blackheath and at the start of the Great War he was 17 years old.
I think he served either in The Worcs' or The South Staffs Regiment.Would that be enough to try to find his army records?

Paljon kiitoksia ja makeat unelmat!!

[apowell]

Hei Rob,

Hyvää Päivää ja Mitä kuuluu.

I've completed a search for any information on Frank's pension records but no joy (may have been destroyed during the Blitz). However the service records aren't available at the moment (only the surname index A-N) but the surname index O-Z is due shortly so it's possible Frank's service records may have survived (I'll let you know when they are available).

The good news is the MIC (Medal Index Cards) survived however the bad news is I found over 25 Frank Williams who served with the South Staffordshire and Worcester Regiments. I'm afraid these don't give any personnal details (or very rarly) only medal awards, Regiment details, theatre of war (eg France, Balkans) and date of entry. I'm afraid without the record history which gives personnal details about the soldier eg Regiment and number, parents or wife and childrens names etc we're unable to find your Frank's MIC with any confidence.

The only Frank Williams I found living anywhere near Blackheath was living at 26, Melbourne Road Smethwick.

Any idea if Frank had a middle name? If you knew his Regiment no I could check with 100% certainty.

Anteeksi ja nakemiin,
Adrian

[Silver surfer]

hi Adrian, any chance of a look up for my uncle please? George Edwin Johnson born 1898 at Old Hill. He may have lied about his birthdate as he was only 15 when he enlisted.
thanksxx

[apowell]

Hi,

I think I've found the service records for your Uncle George. I just want to confirm some details with you first to make sure it's the right person:

Name George Edwin Johnson
DOB 1896 (bless him yes I think he lied about his age)
Address 8, Mousesweet Lane, Old Hill, Worcestershire.
NOK Alice Johnson (mother)

I'm not sure if you want me to send the information via private message or here. Let me know.

Regards
Adrian

[Silver surfer]

Thanks a lot. Yes, that is he. Fortunately he did survive and went on to raise a family. PM will do if you wish.

[Silver surfer]

Can I be cheeky and ask for another look-up please. George's sister later married Howard Faulkner. He too was young, only 16, so also may have lied about his age. Unfortunately he was gassed and even though he survived till 1957 he suffered the effects thereafter. I know his number from my cousin but would like to know more of his service if possible. 5298 DVR H. Faulkner RA.

Thanks Adrian, much appreciated.

[apowell]

Hi,

I will check for you with pleasure I enjoy searching the records and like to help keep these old soldier's memories alive.

I've found Howard's Medal Index Card so can give you some extra information but so far no luck on the other records which is what we want if we're going to really find out his service history (fingers crossed I 'll keep looking and let you know).

I have the information on your other relative and will pm you that today or tomorrow at the latest (very interesting information).

Speak to you soon and feel free to ask for any other relatives (I enjoy searching because it keeps my mind active).
Regards
Adrian

[peterd]

Adrian can you find anything on my great gdad


WATTERSON, WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: South Lancashire Regiment
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Date of Death: 09/04/1916
Service No: 12336

[apowell]

Hi Silver surfer,

I've checked the pension and service records for Howard Faulkner but I'm afraid no records have survived that I can find anyway. I have however found his MIC (Medal Index Card) and I can give a little more general information that may help. The MIC I'm afraid gives very little personnel information on individual soldiers but concentrates on Regiment and medal entitlements.

Name: Howard Faulkner
Regiment: RFA
Rank: Driver
Reg No: (TF) 5298, (TF) 671735, 118981
Medal entitlement: British Medal and Victory Medal. Roll. RFA/339B Page.48042

The Royal Artillery comprised of the following:
The Royal Field Artillery (RFA) - The most numerous arm of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was responsible for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line and was reasonably mobile.
The Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) - light horse drawn guns mainly supported the RFA.
The Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) - Armed with heavy, large calibre guns and howitzers that were positioned some way behind the front line and had immense destructive power.

We know Howard was a Horse Driver for the RFA and because his Regiment No is (TF) that most likely means he was a member of the Territorial Force and may have enlisted in a local Battalion althought his last Regiment No. isn't a TF? The roll and page no reference given on his MIC can be checked to see which Battalion or Battalions he served with overseas etc. The problem is these medal rolls are kept at the National Archive office at Kew so a visit to them is the only way to check.

I suggest you look at the Royal Artillery museum website at www.firepower.org.uk. It gives lots of information on the history of the Royal Artilley and interestingly they will complete a search of their records for ex servicemen ( small fee).

I hope this helps.
Adrian

[apowell]

Hi Peter,

I've been unable to find any pension records for William but the service records are only currently available online for the surnames A-N. O-Z will be available shortly so it's possible William's service records suvived the Blitz (I'm afraid we'll just have to wait). I have found his Medical Index Card (MIC) and here are the details:
Name: WILLIAM WATTERSON
Rank: Private
Regiment: 6th Bn South Lancashire Regiment
Regiment No: 12336
Medal entitlement: British Medal, Victory Medal Roll. J/1/103B4 Page.697. Star (1915) Medal Roll. J/1/1B2 Page.157
Theatre of war first entry: 2b Balkans (Gallipoli)
Date of first entry: 01/07/15
Date of Death: 09/04/1916

I'm not sure how much you've found out about William but because we know dates and his battalion we can piece quite a bit together. I hope the information I've found helps you in your quest:

South Lancashire Regiment details
6th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Warrington in August 1914 as part of K1 and moved to Tidworth, attached to 38th Brigade in 13th (Western) Division. Moved to billets in Winchester in January 1915 before going next month to Blackdown.
Sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915. Landed at Cape Helles (Gallipoli) 7-31 July then moved to Mudros. Landed at Anzac Beach 4 August 1915.
20 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros.
February 1916 : moved to Mesopotamia.

13th Western Division Major engagements
Gallipoli
Battle of Sari Bair. 6-10 Aug 1915.
Russell's Top. 7 Aug 1915.
Hill 60. 21 Aug and 27-28 Aug 1915.
Evacuation of Suvla. 19-20 Dec 1915.
Last Turkish attack at Helles. 7 Jan 1916.
Evacuation of Helles. 7-8 Jan 1916.

Egypt
No major action (Garrison duty at the Suez canal)

Mesopotamia
Capture of Hanna and Fallahiya. 5 Apr 1916.
Second attack on Sannaiyat. 9 Apr 1916.

We can only image the horrors William witnessed at Gallipoli and Iraq sadly I've not continued after the attack on Sannaiyat 9th April 1916 because that was where he was sadly killed. The Division fought many other engagements in Iraq after Sannaiyat.

Interestingly the future Prime Minister Clement Atlee served with the 6th Battalion as a Captain during Gallipoli and Mesoptamian campaign and was wounded in the battle of El Hanna 5th April 1916 (maybe he was William's commanding officer). The national archive has information on Clement Atlee and shows an extract from the war diaries of the 6th Battalion 5th April 1916. If you wanted to look at the war diaries for the 6th Battalion you can download (£3.50 a piece):

Gallipoli, Dardenelles 11 Division, 38 Infantry Brigade, 6 Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. Includes appendices and map.. Part 9 of 32. Whole document available. November 1915 - December 1915

Gallipoli, Dardenelles 11 Division, 38 Infantry Brigade, 6 Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.. Part 8 of 32. Whole document available. September 1915 - October 1915

Gallipoli, Dardenelles 11 Division, 38 Infantry Brigade, 6 Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. Includes Appendices.. Part 7 of 32. Whole document available. July 1915 - August 1915

The war diaries for the Battalion in 1916 are only available at the Nation Archive in Kew but why not check the extract diary mentioned. I find the war diaries fantastic because they're written by serving officers detailing all actions and daily life of the Battalion.

Hope this helps any questions just ask.
Regards
Adrian

ps
Mudros was a small Greek port on the Mediterranean island of Lemnos. The Allies used Mudros to transport men and supplys to Gallipoli and evacuated the wounded from Gallipoli. The famous war poet Rupert Brookes died on April 23rd 1915 there. He fell ill and the medical staff attached to his unit diagnosed an infection caused by a mosquito bite. Also In late October 1918 the armistice between Turkey and the Allies was signed at Mudros. Mudros for such a small place is steeped in so much history.