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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: jstomlin on Tuesday 13 October 09 13:22 BST (UK)
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Hi all
My grandfather (b 1889) was an old contemptible - he joined the Die hards (1st Middlesex Battalion (regiment?)) and was posted overseas to India. He was in Woolwich being demobbed when war broke out and was re-enlisted in to the Die Hards and was one of the first regiments to land on French soil, seeing service in Mons (the first battle involving the British army).
Unfortunately his war medals were stolen when my parents house was burgled >:( so I have no idea of his army number etc
I've tried searching the rolls on Ancestry and 1911 census but can't find him.
Any ideas on who I could approach etc would be most appreciated.
Jules
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If you could tell us his name first it would help.
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Hi
Charles Herbert Clarke, born in Westminster / Vauxhall.
Jules
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Well, being an Old Contemptible, there should most certainly be a medal card for him, and we're looking for someone who was awarded the 1914 Star.
So how many possible matches are there (all Middlesex Regt, and eliminating any with the wrong middle initial)?
2725 Pte Charles Clarke
PW/3758 Pte Charles Clarke
6386 Pte Charles Clarke
3632 Pte Charles Clarke
525 Pte Charles Clarke
G/5753 Pte Charles H Clarke
And that would seem to be it for the shortlist. It might be tempting to go with the last one with the middle initial H, but things are never that simple. ;)
Let me see if I can eliminate any of the six.
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G/5753 Pte Charles H Clarke
Well this one was Charles Herbert Clarke, but he was killed at Loos in Nov 1915.
So the next question, did your grandfather survive the war or not?
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Hi
Yes - he died in 1968.
Cheers Jules
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Hi Neil , :)
If he re-enlisted maybe kept his orriginal number, would point to the 3 figure 525 Clark as a possible.
:-\ Just a, Thought Rog
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Hi
I came across this web-site. http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/search/label/Middlesex%20Regiment
The numbers range if he did keep the original number would all mean he was enlisted pre 1901 but on the 1901 census he was at home and not enlisted.
Is there a Middlesex Regiment association who might have access to records?
In hope, Jules
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Point taken ,he would only have been about 12 in 1901 so wouldnt think he would have joined up much before 1903/4.
As you know when he died are there any press write ups in the local papers might give you info about him as he Was an Old Contemptable .
Also did he attend regimental reunions there could be write ups on those over the years.
Was he in the British Legion his details could have been on his membership details of the lodge.
Also you could try the local paper archives for period when he demobbed at wars end.Some of our local papers have Tommy returns safe etc articles which give lots of details.
Good Luck. Rog
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Hi Neil , :)
If he re-enlisted maybe kept his orriginal number, would point to the 3 figure 525 Clark as a possible.
:-\ Just a, Thought Rog
Not sure Rog, the vagaries of the numbering system isn't something I know too much about. :(
To be honest Jules I think you need to look at the 5 Medal cards now, and we can eliminate more. If you're a member on An****ry I think you can get them that way. Or you can download them from the National Archives for £2 a pop. So it'll cost you £10 max to get all 5 (possibly less if you're lucky enough to get more than 2 on the same page).
Any that were not entitled to a Star or were entitled to the 1914-15 Star were NOT Old Contemptibles.
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One way and another, that's the whole list wiped out. :(
Phil
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Very often MICs for Old Contemptibles have the battalion indexed.
I've searched on 1st Middlesex alone, but there are no Clarkes / Clarks that conceivably match.
Also tried 2nd Bn as well, just in case, as they would just about have qualified.
Phil
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I'm probably confused with the numbers but my dad was in the Royal Scots. I think he joined before 14- 18. I think his no was 11469. We know 5that he ws wounded and got medals....inc the silver war badge. As a child I was embarrassed cos he walked very badly.....as kids are. His SISTER had recieved a telegam saying that he was missing in action, believed dead. After a long while, I believe in Netley hosp . he was found alive. He was Royal Scots. . I believe that he was a regular prior to the GREAT wAR. Needless to say, my dad survived and went on to breed 5 nurses and 5 soldiers, Can you help His name was pte. thomas pugh.Royal Scots.
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Hello smeetoo and welcome to Rootschat :)
Thomas Pugh, Pte 11467, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots.
Awarded British War & Victory Medals. 14 Star with Clasp & Roses.
His qualifying date for the Star is 11/8/14, so part of the original draft.
Discharged, as you say with SWB.
Phil
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Thankyou so much Forester. I'm amazed that you found all that and so quickly.
Huge hug and a million thanks.
Smeetoo.
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The info came from his Medal Index Card.
Extract below (hopefully)
Phil
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My goodness.....that gave me a shiver down my back. Bless them all...I think it's only as an adult that I've realised what hell these young men went through! I'm researching for my grandkids ...and me.....apparantly they don't get history any more,. at school. I wan't mine to know. Thanks again Forester. I'm now hooked into learning more. Hugs....smeetoo...and much thanks.