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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Billiegirl on Tuesday 06 May 14 07:00 BST (UK)
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Hi there, I hope I can post some pics of my grandad Charles Podmore, and that someone can tell me ANYTHING ??? about what he did in WW1. He was born in Newcastle-U-Lyme, Staffs in 1894 and was apparently in the army before the war. I have not been able to find his records.
He was definitely in France, his favourite horse was called Dolly and was kept at some time at Newcastle Barracks. In the photo he is wearing spurs and he has medal ribbons. He was also posted to Newcastle on Tyne, and Germany after the war. We don't know the whereabouts of his medals so I'm hoping someone might tell me perhaps when the photo was taken and any other info will be gratefully received! :)
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Sorry about that - new to this photo stuff. Here's grandad hopefully!
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He has a full set of campaign medals so i would say very early 20s as they werent fully issued until then.
If he had post 1922 service in army then his record will still be with MOD.
Ady
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Thanks for that Ady, I don't think he was in Germany all that long, as Nanna wanted him back home! Any ideas on what - if anything - the white lanyard signifies? We're shamefully ignorant on all aspects of his long war service except that he went through it all without a scratch and enjoyed being in the army.
Thanks, Billiegirl
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With a distinct name and the info i think he is either a Royal Engineer or an Artilleryman.
There are a couple of possibilities who he is.You said pre war soldier so most likely went to war in 1914 so will have a 14 star on medal card.
Ady
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I would think he is one of the 1st World heroes with 3 medal ribbons proudly worn on his chest,and I salute him,and am sure he would have a rank. you should be very proud of him,what a horrible war war he endured.
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Ady, I think your info re the medals has helped me narrow it down a bit. I did find records for 3 Charles Podmores: one ruled out because he didn't survive the war, one in the vet corps who only had one medal and the other I think may be him - 3 medals including the 14 star. He is ranked as a driver in the RFRA later called the RFA (1st reinforcement PDB RFA to be exact) any idea what PDB means? Then with the RASC (service corps?). He has three different munbers - 10203, M/39933, and 293606. The qualifying date (for a medal?) is 18.8.14. It sounds like someone with his long record of service, it would be terrific if I've found him.
Bugle Boy, thanks very much for your lovely comments, we are very proud of him and think he must have seen many dreadful things he never talked about. The family story is that he was able to bring Dolly the horse back from France with him, unusually! I hope its true, as he loved animals.
Unfortunately I never got to meet him, as he died in 1946.
:) Billiegirl
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There's every likelihood you've found him.
A driver in the RFA would have spurs as opposed to someone like a gunner.
Not sure what PBD stands for, maybe some sort of Battery Detachment within the RFA.
jim
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Thanks Jim, yes it is looking good that its Grandad, and I found out that the RFA had a "No. 1 Depot" at Newcastle-on-Tyne, which could explain why he was there as well. I'm trying to think how I can confirm it, as I only have the medal page with 1914 on top and it has no address for him. Also, it doesn't mention that he was a corporal (I think), he has one stripe on his sleeves.
:) Billiegirl
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With the extra info its likely he was with 1st Reserve Brigade RFA in newcastle upon tyne.
He was one of the first to War in Aug 1914.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0zas/
What about the Absent Voters LIst ....from thread above there is a pre war one for Newcastle under lyme
Ady
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Before 1920 one stripe was a Bombardier. The RA removed the rank of Corporal then, so Corporals became Bombardiers, and Bombardiers became Lance Bombardiers.
'1914' at the top of the card shows he was awarded the 1914 Star - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/medal-index-cards-ww1.htm
He was therefore almost certainly a Regular soldier at the start of WW1.
Ken
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He may have been a Driver when he was awarded his medals & promoted afterwards but before the photo was taken.
jim
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As Ady says he would not have received his last two ribbons until after the war. Maybe as late as the end of 1920/21. By which time one stripe - if that what it is - would mean Lance Bombardier in the RA.
However the RA are supposed to have switched the lanyard from the left shoulder to the right in 1920. Someone on the Great War Forum or firepower.org may be able to confirm this. Or he may have transfered to another corps using horses, such as the RASC. In this case he would be a Lance Corporal.
The regiment, rank and number impressed onto WW1 medals correspond to when he went overseas (for the 1914 and 1914-15 Stars), and what he was on 11 November 1918 for the Victory Medal and British War Medals. You may have to bite the bullet and apply for his service record from the MOD.
Ken
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All of his medals were awarded while in the RFA.
The card lists his RASC numbers including his 6 digit number which ( & I assume ) he was given after the 1920 reorganisation.
So this photo must be of him in the RASC.
jim
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Thanks Ady,Ken and Jim for the wealth of information. Ady, I've taken your advice about the Absent Voters list, so hopefully I'll get a reply soon. The MOD I'll leave as a last resort as its expensive, even if they find no results. Apparently the LDS have the same thing on microfiche so I might have a look there.
I'm thinking that the photo was taken as soon as the medal ribbon was sewn on! Its the only one we have of him so I'm very glad he did. I believe the M in front of the 39933 Service Corps number refers to "Mechanised Transport", in which case it doesn't really sound like Grandad. However he has another number after that, so maybe he was just trying out a new occupation! It will be good to find out.
Many thanks again, all input greatly appreciated
:) Billiegirl
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Hello, just wanted to let you all know you were correct about the RFA. I found Charles' Attestation entry for 1919, where he signed up for another two years, and it does confirm that it is his medal card. I accidentally found the new doc when I was looking for his son on FindMyPast. Just goes to show - never give up :D
Lots of interesting info on it, including that he joined the army in 1910, when he was 16!
So thanks everyone, now I can put grandad in his rightful place on the CWGC site in time for the centenary. Fantastic! I'm over the moon......
Very best wishes
Billiegirl ;D
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Hi Billiegirl thats great you finally confirmed his Regiment.
You wont be able to get him added to CWGC though as he wasnt a casualty of war.
There are lots of local events comemorating the centenary so maybe find out if theres a local one to you and add his story to that.
Ady
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The Imperial War Museum have a site that's just come online where you can upload photos & stories:
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/3541773
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If he was "posted to Germany" after the war, that would have been a bit exceptional.
Germany was neither invaded nor occupied after World War 1 - quite unlike World War 2. They threw in the towell even before the Allies had chased them out of France and Belgium.
He might have been sent to supervise the dismantling of the Zeppelins or the demolition of the tank factory or the deportation of the German Navy to Scapa Flow.
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Dave Ke
Sorry i have to disagree ....there was an Army of Occupation in Germany mainly the Rhineland into the early 1920s
A lot of the lads ive researched served in the 62nd West Riding Division and were based in Cologne.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_the_Rhineland
Ady
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Yes Jim. that's the site I meant, thanks. I've been looking at so many WW1 sites I got a bit mixed up!
In 1919 Charles signed up again for 2 years after 8 months in "civvy street". As far as I can tell from family rumour, about this time he went to Newcastle-on-Tyne, then on to Germany. He left my grandmother in Newcastle-on-Tyne with their one year old son and a very unfriendly landlady!