RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: anglessaxonsjutes on Thursday 15 November 07 16:49 GMT (UK)
-
My grandfather was in the 8th London Regiment (later in the 16th London) during WW1. I believe the 8th Regiment was known as the Post Office Rifles which was likely as he was a postman all his working life. He was one of the lucky ones who survived and lived to the age of 75.
Any more information about the London Regiment especially the 8th or 16th would be very helpful. I think at least one of his brothers died in the battlefield.
-
http://www.1914-1918.net/london.htm
Should give you a start point.
Ady ;)
-
I think at least one of his brothers died in the battlefield.
That at least should be checkable on CWGC or SDGW
Can you give us some names?
-
Very late reply but the histories of both battalions are available as re-prints from Naval and Military Press (with which I have no connection whatsoever)
WAR HISTORY OF THE FIRST BATTALION QUEEN’S WESTMINSTER RIFLES. 1914-1918
Maj J.Q. Henriques £14
HISTORY OF THE POST OFFICE RIFLES, 8th Battalion City of London Regiment 1914 to 1918 £9.50
-
Hello,
I noticed your message regarding the Post Office Rifles Regiment. My Great Grandfather was with this Battalion. He was badly injured which left him very lame for the rest of his life. Luckier than most.
Have you had any luck or found any good websites regarding this Regiment?
I really do not understand the military side of family history.
I do know that his Army records were lost or destroyed.
Any information would be gratefully received.
Kind Regards
Sarah :)
-
Sarah
Have you got his Medal Index Card?
If he was discharged there may be info on the SWB Roll at Kew
http://postalheritage.org.uk/history/war/por
Do you have his name?
Ady :)
-
Hello,
I noticed your message regarding the Post Office Rifles Regiment. My Great Grandfather was with this Battalion. He was badly injured which left him very lame for the rest of his life. Luckier than most.
Have you had any luck or found any good websites regarding this Regiment?
I really do not understand the military side of family history.
I do know that his Army records were lost or destroyed.
Any information would be gratefully received.
Kind Regards
Sarah :)
I think the above book will be your best bet.... ;)
Specialised websites on rather obscure battalions are few and far between, I'm afraid....
Do you have a name or anything (dates MIC, medals, paperwork etc) that may help us? ;D
-
Sarah
Have you got his Medal Index Card?
If he was discharged there may be info on the SWB Roll at Kew
Do you have his name?
Ady :)
Blimey Ady...We're at it again!!
Double cross posting!!
-
Hi Ady,
Hi Scrimnet,
Thank you for your messages.
I hope the 2 images are shown below. I haven't quite mastered this yet.
It is the Medal Index card but it is in 2 halves.
I really don't know what it all means. Can you help me with this?
-
Hello Sarah,
It looks like he ended up in the RAMC, 1st London Field Ambulance. I don't know if there is a connection with the 8th Londons and being at work, can't dig deeper.
I'm sure Scrimnet will expand on it. ;D
Phil
-
Thanks Phil,
I know that my G Grandfather was a postman all his life and he had some involvment with the Post office rifles. I'll have another word with Mum and see if she can shed anymore light on the subject but I don't think she really knows much as he died when she was a little girl.
I'll keep digging as well.
Cheers
Sarah :)
-
He started in the PORs and was then transferred to RAMC ad 1st London FA as Ady pointed out. His medals would be inscribed for 8th Londons....
I am expecting he started off as a Stretcher Bearer, and then finding he was adept at that, was re-badged. SB's are Regimental, and not part of the RAMC...His RMO probably recommended him for the Corps.
It also appears that from the KR quote, he was not fit for front line duties and was discharged under 392 (para16) is a discharge note for no longer physically fit...
I'll have a dig around for 1st London FA....I have some contacts in their modern equivalent...
-
I think we really need to see the entire MIC pse!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
2/1 London FA appear to have remained with 56th (1st London) Division from Aug 1915 to May 1919, according to the NA catalogue entry for their War Diary, WO 95/2944.
1/1 London FA, according to the Long Long Trail, left 56 Division for Salonika in June 1916 and on arrival, was redesignated 30th Stationary Hospital.
His service number is a post-1917 six figure number, but I can't differentiate which line by it.
Phil
-
I think we really need to see the entire MIC pse!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Hello to you all.
As I mentioned before I am completely military illiterate. Is the MIC the Medal Index card?
My word I'm finding this really hard to write because I don't know what I'm talking about.
Also I've suddenly realised that I've taken over someone else's topic which is very rude of me.
I will start a new thread with some other papers I have found.
Sorry Anglessaxonjutes, I'll give you your topic back.
Please accept my apologies. ::)
Sarah
-
If you can secure a back copy of 'Regiment' issue 35 dated 8th 8th January - 4th March 1999 you will get the complete rundown of the 'London Regiment' 1859 - 1999 which does have a lot of detail including the Post Office Rifles.
Joe
-
Thanks Jo, I'll see what I can do to get hold of a copy of this.
Sarah ;D