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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: martinharkins on Tuesday 18 January 11 21:03 GMT (UK)

Title: John edward Harkins
Post by: martinharkins on Tuesday 18 January 11 21:03 GMT (UK)

Hi all,

Im new to all this am im having difficulty understandin this medal card, how do i tell what regiment and battalion he served in.

i know it was border regiment but it shows two?

I would be so greatful if somebody could help me in understanding it as i would like to find out where he was sent etc etc

Moderator comment: copyright image removed.  Only small portions of such images may be posted and only to assist with deciphering bad handwriting.

Title: Re: John edward Harkins
Post by: mmm45 on Tuesday 18 January 11 22:12 GMT (UK)

Hi
He served with Border Regiment,Labour Corps and Lancashire Fusiliers.
Only about 30% of Service Records survive mostly on Ancestry.To determine which Battalion you would have to view the Roll books at Kew which marry up with this Index Card...however you MAY get an idea which Battalion by looking at numbers and comparing it to Records which survive and/or casualties that are also on CWGC etc...its not exact but sometimes weilds results.

He was entitled to 1915 Star,British War and Victory Medals and entered France in 1915...the date on the card which may also prove his Border Regiment Battalion
As their deployment dates are recordered.

He changed Battalions maybe due to been ill or wounded?? or maybe manpower was needed elsewher.

Ady

Title: Re: John edward Harkins
Post by: forester on Tuesday 18 January 11 22:16 GMT (UK)

13721 is probably an 11th Service Battalion (Lonsdale) number. The date of entry matches and the service record of 13720, Stanley Arnstrong, is on Ancestry.

516139 Labour Corps was issued between October and February 1918.

60895 Lancashire Fusiliers appears to be from a batch of Labour Corps men transferred to 23rd Garrison Battalion, Lancs Fusiliers on 1st June 1918.

Phil

That's just what I did Ady  ;D

Title: Re: John edward Harkins
Post by: mmm45 on Tuesday 18 January 11 22:18 GMT (UK)

Concur with Lonsdale Pals! :)...theres a good website for them will dig it out!

Ady

Title: Re: John edward Harkins
Post by: mmm45 on Tuesday 18 January 11 22:19 GMT (UK)

http://www.border-regiment.kerchi.co.uk/wikiproject/index.php?title=11th_(Service)_Battalion_Border_Regiment_(Lonsdale)

Here it is :)

Title: Re: John edward Harkins
Post by: forester on Tuesday 18 January 11 22:45 GMT (UK)

The Labour Corps info came from "No Labour, No Battle", so you can't argue with that and the service records for 60866 and 60894, Lancashire Fusiliers are on Ancestry, both with the same rubber stamp.

All in all, I think that's about as close as it gets without a service record.

Phil  :)