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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: creamcake on Sunday 05 October 08 22:40 BST (UK)

Title: Help finding a regiment
Post by: creamcake on Sunday 05 October 08 22:40 BST (UK)
Hi

I am trying to find out which regiment my Grandfather served in during WW1, my brother has his medals but there is nothing with them except he says he can make out what looks like 73rd, unfortunately he had a rather common name, Albert Taylor, however on a baptism entry for one of his daughters it gives his profession as Lance Corporal in His Majesty's Army, he was born in Nantwich, Cheshire 21/11/1889 and lived there all his life.
Does anyone have any ideas how I might find his medal card index?

Thanks in advance
Carol
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: mmm45 on Monday 06 October 08 13:03 BST (UK)
Hi Carol
Has he checked all of the rims of the medals can you say which medals he has that may be able to reduce the possibilities if for eg he has a 1915 star it will be on his MIC.?

Ady :)
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: JustinL on Wednesday 08 October 08 12:11 BST (UK)
Hello Carol,

Did Albert have a middle name?

Can your brother scan/photograph the medal?

73rd must refer to a unit within a larger formation.

If it really says 73rd, then it possibly suggests a battery in the artillery, e.g. 73rd Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery, or 73rd company of RGA.

There was also a 73rd Machine Gun Corps, which would have been in the army rather than the artillery.

Justin

Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: creamcake on Wednesday 08 October 08 14:45 BST (UK)
Hi

Thanks for both replies, in answer to them: Albert did not have a middle name, my brother is going to take some photos of them and send them to me as soon as I get them I will post them on here. I believe the medals are standard issue from WW1, but there is also what looks like a football medal from 1916/17 season I will post that too.

Thanks again

Carol
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: mmm45 on Wednesday 08 October 08 14:56 BST (UK)
Hi
Anything with a number/partial number,name or regiment and we should be able to narrow them down. :)
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: Ambertoo on Wednesday 08 October 08 21:25 BST (UK)
 I found a great military site who helped me identify a medal and regiment from an old photo. They were really helpful so try posting your info there and aee if they can come up with something. Really nice lot and very helpful


http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: creamcake on Thursday 09 October 08 22:02 BST (UK)
I went to see my brother yesterday and he has loaned me the medals and you are quite correct, his regiment and number are on the rim so thank you for that, (Inow have his medal card of Ancestry).  There was another medal, which is silver, and a photo which I think goes with the medal, which I have attempted to scan and will add them to this post if anyone has any ideas I would be very grateful.

The inscription says:

Season 1916 - 1917 (front)

73rd
Divisional
League
Winners 12th
K.O.R.L
L.Cpl A. Taylor

The medal, albert and every link is hallmarked. On the photo my Granddad is on the middle row 3rd from the right.

Thanks

Carol
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: forester on Thursday 09 October 08 22:50 BST (UK)
Hello Carol,

At a guess, at the time he was in the 12th (Reserve) Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
73rd Division were a Home Service division, of which the 12th Bn, Kings Own were part of 218th Brigade.

http://www.1914-1918.net/kingsown.htm

Phil

PS The photo looks like it may pre-date his army service and is of the local Football Club.
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: creamcake on Thursday 09 October 08 23:12 BST (UK)
Thanks for that, however on the actual medals it has his regiment number which is 245212 manch r which I presume is manchester regiment, it also says he was a private his medal card says that as well, do you have any idea why it says private on those and lance corporal on other, also on his daughters baptism record he lists himself as a Lcpl.

Carol
Title: Re: Help finding a regiment
Post by: mmm45 on Thursday 09 October 08 23:26 BST (UK)
Medal Index Card will record the  rank he had when he  first went overseas.
LCpl was an unpaid rank at the time and lads were promoted/demoted regualrly.

The Manchesters website may have info if you google Manchester Regiment. :)

Ady