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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: jtobred on Monday 21 June 21 21:39 BST (UK)

Title: Edwin John Southam
Post by: jtobred on Monday 21 June 21 21:39 BST (UK)
Hi,

I am looking for some help in deciphering Edwin John Southam's WW1 service.
Edwin joined the Queens Own Oxford Hussars on 24 Feb 1914. He was later transferred to the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry (date unknown) and later the 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (again, date unknown) where he finished his service as a Lance Corporal.

His dates of service (all of which were in France) are as follows:
20/08/14 - 24/12/14
18/12/17 - 24/01/18
07/08/18 - 25/01/19

I was wondering if it is possible to discern which Regiment he was serving with during these times,  and where he may have been posted/which battles he may have been a part of.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Edwin John Southam
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 22 June 21 11:20 BST (UK)
Ancestry doesn't appear to have his service record so you
will have to put it up (for me anyway). I can see a pension report.
Is this what you have?
His medal roll shows he first went overseas with the 1/1 Ox. Yeo.
& transferred to the the 2/1 (never went overseas).
In early 1917 the TF (Ox. Yeo. were a Territorial Regt.) were renumbered
with a 6 digit no. so he was still with them at this time.
OK so went overseas with the 1/1 20/9/14-24/12/14.
Back in the UK (probably transferring to the 2/1).
18/12/17 transferred to the Ox & Bucks & sent back to France.
31/12/17 In hospital & sent back to the UK. There's no Btn. mentioned
but it doesn't look like he got any further than the Base Depot at Rouen.
7/4/18 transferred to the 4th. Reserve Btn. Ox & Bucks &
posted to Seaton Delaval as part of the Tyne Garrison.
7/8/18 transferred to the 5th. Btn. Berks Regt. & sent back
to France.
Anomoly:
On transfer he was given a 6 digit no. allocated to the 4th.(TF) Btn. Berks. Regt.
who were in Italy at this time but posted to the 5th.
18/9/18 wounded in the arm (Epehy) & went through the medical chain.
25/1/19 returned to the UK.
Title: Re: Edwin John Southam
Post by: Tickettyboo on Tuesday 22 June 21 11:42 BST (UK)
Ancestry doesn't appear to have his service record so you
will have to put it up (for me anyway). I can see a pension report.
Is this what you have?
His medal roll shows he first went overseas with the 1/1 Ox. Yeo.
& transferred to the the 2/1 (never went overseas).
In early 1917 the TF (Ox. Yeo. were a Territorial Regt.) were renumbered
with a 6 digit no. so he was still with them at this time.

Don't know if this helps Jim, but there is a pension record which looks to be for this soldier - though at first glance it mainly seems to be medical history - but I am not too good with military records.

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/1114/images/MIUK1914A_086995-00890?

Boo
Title: Re: Edwin John Southam
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 22 June 21 12:36 BST (UK)
Found it thanks.
Title: Re: Edwin John Southam
Post by: jtobred on Tuesday 22 June 21 13:44 BST (UK)
Yes the pension record is the only information I have. Thank you so much for all the information Jim!
Title: Re: Edwin John Southam
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 22 June 21 14:05 BST (UK)
I'm not sure why he was sent back to the UK. His Regt. remained in
France as part of the 4th. Cavalry Bde.
This is what the LLT says:
1914
The Battle of the Aisne (12 – 15 September)
The Battle of Messines 1914 (12 October – 2 November)
The Battle of Armentieres (13 – 17 October)
The Battle of Gheluvelt (30 – 31 October, a phase of the Battles of Ypres 1914) (“First Ypres”)