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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Stephanie Hayward on Sunday 25 May 14 10:28 BST (UK)
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Hi my gr8 grandfather Ernest Anderson, he was born 1898 in Depford GREENWICH, served in the east kent regiment the buffs. He served in British expedition force in France. Can anyone tell me more of this?
Many thanks
Steph
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Is his no. 10783 ?
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We need his number and any further info as there were a number of battalions making up the Regiment
From that it could be possible to find a war diary for his battalion
Ady
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Is his no. 10783 ?
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http://www.1914-1918.net/buffs.htm
Ady
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His MIC's are under Suffolks & E.Kent Regt's.
His service docs. are under his E.Kent no.
Transferred to the Suffolks after being wounded in 1916.
Was put on a couple of fizzers for being AWOL.
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Yes that's my grandfather iv the records myself but if anyone can explain it better that would b great many thanks again steph
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Shall I put more details on?
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I think this must be him as I can't see another one in 1911.
5/8/14-attested/occ: glassblower.
28/10/14-posted 9th. Batt.
26/12/14-posted 3rd. Batt.
19/12/15-24/1/16-AWOL (84 days detention)
2/5/16-Alice born.
19/5/16-posted overseas with the 6th. Batt.
8/8/16-wounded in shoulder & hand from shell blast.
11/11/16-marries Eliz. Lockyer at Greenwich R.O.
23/3/17-AWOL (forfeited 23 days pay)
23/8/17-transferred to the Suffolk Regt.
13/10/17-28/10/17-AWOL (16 days detention & 16 days loss of pay)
23/12/17-1/2/18-AWOL (23 days detention & 41 days loss of pay)
31/5/18-Ernest born.
8/7/18-discharged as being medically unfit for active service.
Character described as bad.
Can't help but like him can you.
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The Battle of Pozieres*
After short spells at Bus-les-Artois and in the front line at Beaumont Hamel, the Division moved back to the Ovillers area for an operation north and northwest of Pozieres designed to destroy the enemy garrison holding Thiepval. On 3 August, an attack aimed at capturing 4th Avenue Trench was successful and pushed on to Ration Trench next day. German counter attacks including flamethrowers were beaten off over the next few days. An attack on 8 August to finally capture the stubborn enemy Point 77 failed with heavy casualties to 7th Sussex. Severe local fighting continued for five more days, when the Division was relieved and moved to the area of Doullens. Casualties since 28 July amounted to 126 officers and 2739 men.
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That is brilliant thank you very much. I know you can't help but love him. My nan adored him, I've heard so many stories about him. Would you have any ideas what part of France he was sent to? Also I do believe he may have also been sent to ireland for a brief time. I hear lots of stories about soldier going awal and being shot for it. Would you perhaps know why this never happened to my grandfather. There always been a rebel streak in my family unfortunately it hit me and both my daughter's lol. Thank you for your help kind regards steph
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Sorry I've just seen your second post I'm just going to read to sorry if I've repeated my self
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The 6th. Batt. was part of the 37th. Brigade 12 Div. which was involved in the above battle.
If they shot everyone who went awol they'd have to shoot half of the army. It was far more common than you'd think.
There was a difference between failing to return from home leave or going awol while in the UK & (allegedly) deserting while under fire.
Those found guilty of the latter were shot unless there were extenuating circumstances.
Ernest joined pretty much in the first batch of volunteers & like the others joined to fight "the Hun".
Because he was under age he was left kicking his heels in a reserve Batt. He probably became disillusioned & wondered why he was in if he wasn't allowed to fight.
He got his chance with the 6th.
Looking at his record again there is a home posting 20-1-17 to British Command & what looks like an "I" which is probably when he went to Ireland.
2 months later he went awol again & in the August of 1917 posted back to the 3rd. & transferred to the Suffolks.
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For a sentence of 84 days detention in 1916 he was most likely court martialled.
James
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Brilliant that's so much info, for him. That's great since all I had no ideA
About his military history. Both his kid's past away too so this with the army might be reason he went awal. Military war diaries, would I have to go to Kew to view them?
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Some war diaries are online but you'd have to check their site.
A couple of other things I noticed is that he received 14 days field punishment on his return to the 3rd. Batt. for an unspecified offence 26/12/14.
Also after he was wounded he stayed in France which must have been at a field hospital & embarked for the UK 11/11/16 which is the day he got married.
He must have gone straight from ship to Records Office.
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How interesting I've always . Had trouble reading it. Could you tel me please what is a field hospital, and field punishment. Also wHat would he be doing as punishment when he got detention? I know I've so many questions but it's just amazing to ask someone who has lots of experience in this area.million thanks again for your help it is much appreciated.
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Field punishment was awarded for lesser offences & was dealt with by the C.O. More serious offences were dealt with by the Courts Martial such as when he went absent.
Field hospitals were set up in the theatres of war but away from the front. Men would be treated there by doctors & surgeons as they would if in the UK. Those fit enough went back to their Units others sent back to the UK.
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he also received an SWB ,, Silver war badge This was given to injured or sick soldiers who had left the army to identify that they had served,,but had been discharged due to injury or sickness,,this stopped the civilians throwing white feathers at them in civvy street !!
Silver War Badge Roll
Private Ernest Anderson Service number 38292 enlisted 5-Aug-1914
Badge number 371184
Discharged 27-Jul-1918 from 1 Res Gar. Bn. Suffolk
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Field Punishment Number 1 consisted of the convicted man being shackled in irons and secured to a fixed object, often a gun wheel or similar. He could only be thus fixed for up to 2 hours in 24, and not for more than 3 days in 4, or for more than 21 days in his sentence. This punishment was often known as 'crucifixion' and due to its humiliating nature was viewed by many Tommies as unfair. Field Punishment Number 2 was similar except the man was shackled but not fixed to anything. Both forms were carried out by the office of the Provost-Marshal, unless his unit was officially on the move when it would be carried out regimentally i.e. by his own unit.
No punishment was handed out while in detention unless the rules were broken which wasn't difficult.
Just being there was punishment enough.
Constant drilling, exercise & weapons training all at the double with meagre rations.
They were marched in public as extra humiliation.
Days were long & hard.
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Brilliant thank you for your help, I understand better now. I noticed that about his marriage. I know I sound dumb but what is court martial? And what could have caused the bronchitis, ?
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Steph
court martial is a military court held for various charges ...he would be tried by a board of army officers.
The bronchitis may be down to working in all conditions it may have been exposure to gas initially but unless you have medical documents you may never know.
He was lucky he went AWOL in UK if it would have been overseas he could have been shot!
Ady
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Thank you both of your help I k ow have a little more understanding of him. What would life b like for him in France and Ireland ?
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Thank you for alll your help to all of you ;D
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Wow, what excellent help you have had on here -
So good to have someone so able to explain things and find such detail for you.
may have to call out for some help one day with my lot :)
great work.
;D
xin
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Life in Ireland would be pretty relaxed in comparison & would have consisted of normal military duties.
During the war there were problems with the IRA which had to be addressed by the local garrison.
Mainly patrolling & showing a presence.
Front line Battalions suffered heavy casualties & manned up from the Reserves of which the 3rd, was one.
If you were a C.O. of one of these who would you transfer, your best men or your worst?
Below covers the period that he served in the 6th. E.Kent's:
In June 1916 they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th.
more details here:
http://outofbattle.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Battles%20-%20Pozieres
I make no apologies for showing these photos of the battle as you did ask what it was like:
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more:
Pozieres area
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last 2:
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The photo s are great I've no problems with them as I want to really know what it was like for him. The info is amazing thank you for all your hard work. I have one photo of him at my nans wedding as a middle-aged proud smart man, and from his eyes I want to understand an know what it really was like. I'm under no illusion what it was like and I understand the reality of war was very bad. If was to look at war diaries for the time he was wounded which battalion do I search as I get very confused with it all. Once again thank you
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6th. Batt. E.Kent Regt. (The Buffs)
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Many thanks again. Do you think it's . Worth looking at? Ernest file has buffed right out thanks a . Million
Steph
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Hi guys I was wondering if possible some one could help me with my other grandfather if possible I've posted a post and some one has kindly sent me a link but it's a bit to technical for me. It's about salonika my grandfather s name was Frederick William Hobbs and was born 1895 ish Camberwell London. He served in the r a m c as an ambulance driver. I just would like to know a bit more about what he was doing there appreciate any help.Thank you so much steph
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Hi Stephanie .just was reading all about your granddad. yes you are right to be proud of him. after looking at D DAY .and Jim1. you are right to show us those pic. we can not forget what those men went through.I hope it was ok. to post this here.