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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: perdy on Wednesday 21 February 07 01:02 GMT (UK)
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Hi wonder if anyone can help I have inquired with CWGC where I found the info of my rellie as follows:
SIMPSON, CLAUD CLEASBY
Initials: C C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pioneer
Regiment/Service: East African Pioneers
Age: 25
Date of Death: 15/02/1918
Service No: 3225
Additional information: Son of Amelia Simpson, of "Airville," Johnson St., Cheetham, Manchester, England, and the late Daniel Simpson. Born at Manchester, England............
But they said he must have enlisted there I cannot find anything more about East African Pioneers or any further info
Any help appreciated
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Hi Perdy !
I found his medal card .... do you have it already ? it can be downloaded for 3 pounds 50 !!
Medal card of Simpson, Claude C
East Africa Pay Corps
3225
Pioneer
Date
1914-1920
http://www.rootschat.com/links/019r/
Annie :)
Remembered with honour
DAR ES SALAAM WAR CEMETERY
I think this might be you - but just in case it's not .... somebody is looking for the same person !! :)
http://www.britishislesgenweb.org/data/read.php?34,4355,4355
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But they said he must have enlisted there I cannot find anything more about East African Pioneers
I must admit there is precious little on the internet about them! perhaps the libraries ???
It's interesting that the CWGC have him listed as East African Pioneers, but his medal roll says East Africa Pay Corps. Both are individual units in their own right ???
Wendi :)
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I suspect the MIC is mistaken.
Notice it gives his rank as Pioneer but unit as Pay Corps, which just doesn't make sense.
Pay Corps should read Pioneer Corps. :)
Neil
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Quite right neil - I should have spotted that :D
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I'm not sure if these books would give you any information ..... but I wonder if the library might be able to obtain them for you !
German East - The Story of the First World War in East Africa.
Brian Gardner
A fascinating book on a little known and unusual campaign of the 1st World War
On to Kilimanjaro - The Bizarre Story of the First World War in East Africa.
Brian Gardner
An account of the little known World War I Campaign in East Africa, with the ingenius German Commander, Colonel Paul Von Lettow Vorbeck, pitting his wits against the no nonsense opposition of Britain's Lieutenant General Jan Smuts. Illustrated with photographs, and a selected bibliography
If you go to Abebooks and put in Gardner as the Author and East Africa as the title - you get quite a few hits
Annie :)
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Thanks again Annie you sure are trying to help me here and again must say I appreciate it. I have taken a not of your comments regarding books on the subject.
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*note*
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HI
The Pioneer Corps didnot form until 1939, so he was not in the Pioneer Corps in WW1. The Indian Army had a lot of Pioneer Battalions in WW1
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Hi Perdy !
I Googled German Commander Colonel Paul Von Lettow Vorbeck and came up with some background information .... not what you asked for - but maybe it will give you some idea of what was going on at that time .... it may also give you some ideas of where else to look !!
http://www.angelfire.com/de/greatwar/vorbeck.html
http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/lettowvorbeck.htm
And this is the East Africa Despatches of Lieutenant-General the Hon. Jan C. Smuts
Despatch Date Gazette Date Scope of Despatch
30 April 1916 20 June 1916 Operations in March 1916
17 January 1917 27 October 1916 Operations to September 1916
28 February 1917 17 April 1917 Operations to January 1917
http://www.1914-1918.net/despatch_index.htm
Annie :)
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Hi Annie
Thanks again for your help I have saved the links will check them out asp. had a quick look at the dispatch one nothing jumped out for the dates I needed but will look again. meanwhile there does seem to be controversy about the regt mmmm CWGC sent me a mail and give me address to write to just seem to be going around in circles lol
ahhhhhhhh well no doubts something will turn up sooner or later especially will all the offers of help from others and your good self
Thanks Again
Perdy