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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: FrameShift on Sunday 18 February 07 08:55 GMT (UK)

Title: My Ancestor's Fob
Post by: FrameShift on Sunday 18 February 07 08:55 GMT (UK)

After the death of my grandfather, my grandmother gave me his watch chain and two fobs.  One of the fobs was a prize for bayonet fighting.  Inscribed on the front around the edge is: ‘2/1st West Riding Divisional Sports, Thoresby Park, July, 1915’.  The slash between the 2 and 1 could be a deep scratch and is maybe 21st.  In the centre on a circle of gold on the front is: ‘The Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment’ with an elephant, a rampant lion, and a crest.  The back is engraved with, ‘First Prize Bayonet Fighting 2/5th West Riding Regt.’  It is made from hallmarked silver.  As far as I know my grandfather wasn’t ever in the army, but I think that two of his brothers might have been army regulars.  Does anyone out there know how I would go about identifying the winner of the prize, please?

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Title: Re: My Ancestor's Fob
Post by: wizz123 on Sunday 18 February 07 14:22 GMT (UK)

Could you pass on more details of your Grandfather,ie name ect,so we may do alittle research if its possible.

                        WIZZ

Title: Re: My Ancestor's Fob
Post by: FrameShift on Sunday 18 February 07 14:38 GMT (UK)

As I say I don't think it was my grandad, but his name was Spencer, first name Fred.  He had a number of brothers, two of which I suspect were army regulars, Charles Hanson and William Henry.  They were all born and lived in Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire.  However, I understand that the 2/5th West Riding Regiment was a Huddersfield regiment and my graet great grandfather and grandmother both came from ther, so maybe he is related to her side.

Thanks for help.

Cheers,

Brian Spencer.

Title: Re: My Ancestor's Fob
Post by: Wendi on Sunday 18 February 07 15:50 GMT (UK)

Hi FrameShift and a Warm Welcome to Rootschat  ;D

The National Archives have medal index cards for 2 x Frederick Spencer in the West Riding Regiment.

and it looks like they are on the same sheet, so if you download one, you'll probably get the other one anyway.

Wendi  :)

Title: Re: My Ancestor's Fob
Post by: harribobs on Sunday 18 February 07 16:34 GMT (UK)

west riding regiment recrited as far as saddleworth ( which is now lancashire . ;D )

Title: Re: My Ancestor's Fob
Post by: goggy on Monday 19 February 07 13:03 GMT (UK)

The appropriate Regimental Museum may have the skinny on this prize.By the same token,they would be very glad to have new,s of it.It would be much appreciated.
                  Goggy. ;) ;D

Title: Re: My Ancestor's Fob
Post by: FrameShift on Monday 19 February 07 13:35 GMT (UK)

Thanks.  I've contacted the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Division Museum in Halifax by email and am now hoping for the best.