Photo's of Northamptonshire Men/Women Both Wars Wanted Please

[Stebie9173]

The old Regimental numbering was completely changed in 1920 to Army numbering with Regiments issued a range of numbers. The Northamptons were allocated 5875001 to 5931000, so Frank Jones' new Northamptonshire Regiment number would basically be "No. 48" within the new series.

No. 8259 fits in exactly with a November 1906 enlistment.


Aubers Ridge was up at the La Bassee battlefield area near Lille and Armentieres. (Nowhere near the MArne and the Aisne)


The overseas posting dates are (or should be) always from the date of leaving the shores of England to the date of arrival back in the UK and shouldn't include time "in transit". He would have left the 2nd battalion in Egypt (they had arrived there from Malta on 18-1-1914) a couple of weeks before in late July 1914. It was just a coincidence that he arrived just as the 1st Battalion needed him.

The normal length of "active" service was 7 years (e.g. November 1906 to November 1913 for Frank) extended to 8 years if a soldier was overseas whilst his normal active service period expired. Hence, he would have been arriving home for a few weeks or months in the UK - either with 1st battalion at Blackdown or at the Depot, and just happened to be available just at the point they needed him most! A very interesting set of movements, that I wasn't aware of before....

The battles of the Marne and the Aisne were both in September 1914, though the 2nd battalion was captured wholesale on the Aisne in May 1918…..


Was Frank actually from Northamptonshire? If so, I might be able to dig some more information out on him.


Steve.


Steve.

[Penholder]

Hi Steve

Thank you so much for that detailed reply.   What a mine of information you are!   

Yes, Frank was from Northamptonshire.   He was born in Piddington as were most of his brothers and sisters.   The younger children were born in Shelley Street, Northampton.   

Any other information you can dig up for me would be very welcome indeed.

Regards,

Diana

[Stebie9173]

I knew part of that picture looked familiar.....


Charles Ryder John Mowatt from Talavera Day (27th July - the Regimental Day - just ask Mister Scrimnet!) in Dublin in 1922.

He's even sitting in the same chair!


See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/northampton_museum/3005021084/

(Though the caption on the link suggests Lt Col Mowatt was with the 2nd Battalion after the war, it was the 1st Battalion that was in Ireland in 1922).


The other officers being


Captain Edmund Locock Hughes

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northampton_museum/3005021010/


and

Wilfred John Jervois

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northampton_museum/3004185767/



So your picture was taken on 27th July 1922. I don't know what time.... 



Steve.

[seahall]

Hi Diana/Steve.

Lovely new photographs Diana.

I have just come through Hackleton and Piddington on the way
back from Milton Keynes earlier this evening. 

I stopped to take some pictures of the villages for Rootschatter
Marty in Australia.

The clock at Piddington says 6.40, I am suprised that I managed
to get the pictures clearly.

Thought I would put one of the War Memorial at the corner of
Piddington Road in Hackleton here.

Sandy

[seahall]

Whoops forgot me mate, sorry Phil. 

Sandy

[Penholder]

Hi Steve, Sandy and everyone else

Steve, thank you for those names and the date.   I knew my Grandad was in Ireland after the War so it's great to know the picture was taken then.   Having the exact date is the icing on the cake.   In my notes I've got that he was stationed at Phoenix Park, Dublin, in June 1922 - must have come from another photo.   I'll have to see if I can find it.   Also, my Uncle reckons Frank and my Grandma were in married quarters at Richmond Barracks in Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

Sandy, thank you for putting the photo of the War Memorial here.   I didn't see it on my only ever visit to Piddington and Hackleton earlier in the year.   I will have to go again next time I come up to Northampton.   Please say hello to Marty for me.   I haven't forgotten how helpful he was with the BODSWORTH family.   I will send you the photos in a minute.

Diana

[seahall]

Hi Diana.

I will send Marty a cd rom of the piccies as there are 94 piccies
and size is 197mb, therefore too large to send in e-mails if I can find
his address again. 

If you would like one just let me know.

I found a Wesleyvan Church at the end of the village in Piddington.
I wonder if any of your own family went to it.

Do you have any names on the war memorial that you know of
as I took all the names as well.

Thanks for saying you will send photo's, look forward to them.

Sandy

[Stebie9173]

I think the make-up of the 1922 picture will be all Sergeants except the row with the officers on which will be:

Company Sgt Major -> Company Sgt Major -> Regimental Sgt Major -> Second-in-Command (Hughes) -> Commanding officer (Mowatt) -> Adjutant (Jervois) -> Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant -> Company Sgt Major ->Company Sgt Major


It may well be worth contacting Paul Robinson at the Regimental Museum to see if their copy of the photos from this occasion are captioned.


Don't forget that as a soldier serving after 1921, Frank Jones' records should still be held by the MOD.



Steve.

[Penholder]

Hi Steve

Thank you again for your invaluable information.   Being totally ignorant, is the Museum in Northampton?   It does sound as if getting in touch would be a good idea.   

I've been working my way through the Flickr site, trying to identify men in photos of the cricket and hockey teams that I have.   It's a bit slow going, but very interesting.   Wilfred John JERVOIS is in them too.   On the Flickr site there is a photo purporting to be my grandfather that isn't him and another one captioned E JONES, which I'm sure is him.   I wonder how many other mistakes there might be?

I had wondered if I could get hold of my Grandad's records but I have no idea how to go about it.   Is it easy?

Many thanks,

Diana