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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Nevthedigger on Monday 11 August 25 10:47 BST (UK)

Title: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Nevthedigger on Monday 11 August 25 10:47 BST (UK)
Is anyone able to decipher which regiment this is please? It appears to at '1st Can. Lem. Coy'. I'm assuming the Can means Canadian but it's the 'Lem' part which throws me. Or could it be 'Lun'?
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Andy J2022 on Monday 11 August 25 11:28 BST (UK)
I can't help with the word, but are you aware that there are three records for Weller W J in the Library and Archives of Canada World War One collection? Link here (https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Result?DataSource=Genealogy|Military|PfFww&LastName=Weller&DataSourceSel=Genealogy&SEARCH_TYPE=SEARCH_ADVANCED_HELP&)
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: ShaunJ on Monday 11 August 25 11:33 BST (UK)
More information please - full name etc, service number if known
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: ikas on Monday 11 August 25 11:41 BST (UK)
Could it be Tun? Canadian Tunnelling Company. Not sure though.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: alan o on Monday 11 August 25 12:17 BST (UK)
How about Can Lein

Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) were an Irish Regiment.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: ShaunJ on Monday 11 August 25 12:22 BST (UK)
ikas might be on to something

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Canadian_Tunnelling_Company
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Andy J2022 on Monday 11 August 25 14:42 BST (UK)
I agree with ikas and Shaun. I don't think Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment works here, because it is referring to his compnay, which wouldn't have taken the title Leinster. In an Infantry battalion it is more likely to be A,  B or C Company etc. The 1st Tunnelling Company was an independent unit.

Going back to the service records at the LAC, there is only one Sapper mentioned, namely Sapper William John Weller 164213 who enlisted at Niagra on 7 Sept 1915. He was a plumber by trade and single. His mother was Kate Weller of 166 Sheridan Street, Brantford. If he is the man in the OP's document, there is no sign in his service record that he was ever posted to the 1st Tunnelling Company, and never went to France. Of the 104 pages comprising his record, most are taken up with medical and pay related matters.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Nevthedigger on Monday 11 August 25 16:58 BST (UK)
More information please - full name etc, service number if known
Sorry all the info I have is in the photo.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Nevthedigger on Monday 11 August 25 17:00 BST (UK)
I can't help with the word, but are you aware that there are three records for Weller W J in the Library and Archives of Canada World War One collection? Link here (https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Result?DataSource=Genealogy|Military|PfFww&LastName=Weller&DataSourceSel=Genealogy&SEARCH_TYPE=SEARCH_ADVANCED_HELP&)
Thanks, I'll have a good look at that this evening.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Nevthedigger on Monday 11 August 25 17:08 BST (UK)
I've just found this written on another page. It doesn't add much but there is added lettering at the bottom which looks like 'in the field'.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Nevthedigger on Monday 11 August 25 17:12 BST (UK)
(Sorry the second photo is on its side, I always seem to have problems uploading photos to this site.)
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Andy J2022 on Tuesday 12 August 25 22:03 BST (UK)
I agree with 'in the field', and since the T of 'the' is the same as the first letter of the  unknown word, I think that strengthens ikas's suggestion that it's short for tunnelling.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: Nevthedigger on Wednesday 13 August 25 10:51 BST (UK)
Thanks all for your input, the wonderful expertise on here never ceases to amaze me. I'm going to go along with the Canadian Tunnelling Company as the most likely answer.
Title: Re: Great War military unit ID
Post by: ikas on Wednesday 13 August 25 11:05 BST (UK)
You might want to consider posting on a WW1 forum. Those with experience of WW1 research might be able to confirm or suggest other possibilities. There is one on here but not sure if mods allow duplicate posts. The Great War Forum has helped me in the past. https://www.greatwarforum.org/