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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: jack1601 on Thursday 26 April 18 19:56 BST (UK)
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Hi
Any advice on how I may find any additional information on the following would be welcome:
I recently found my grandfather, Wilfred Adams, on a Leeds Absent Voters List showing that he was serving 222949 GWR Royal Field Artillery, 1097 Battery. I have so far not found his service record, or enrolment record. He survived the war but died in 1939 before I was born
Any additional information or advice on further research regarding the meaning of GWR or the 1097 Battery, in addition as to how I may locate his service history would be welcome
Thank you jack1601
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The "GWR" is actually GNR the abbreviation for Gunner, the private soldier rank in the Royal Artillery.
Fisrt look suggests that his service record has not survived (over 60% were destroyed during WW2 by bombing). There is a medal record recording the British War and Victory medals meaning he didn't go overseas until after 1915. The medal record shows he ended as a temporary Bombardier (one stripe then) (Ancestry have mistranslated the "T" as Transport).
I have found reference to 1097 Battery as being part of 216 Brigade who were in India in 1918.
MaxD
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Hi MaxD
Thank you very much, that is great information and much appreciated
jack1601
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See CCXVI Brigade info at : http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-royal-artillery-in-the-first-world-war/royal-field-artillery-brigades/.
A Google search on 216 Brigade RFA and 218 Brigade RFA (two of the brigades of 43 Wessex Division) will lead you to a little more info (while also exposing how little info there actually is!).
MaxD
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Thank you MaxD, your help is much appreciated and I have gained a lot from your information and advice
jack1601