WW1 and WW11 Army Chaplain Records

[AlisonT]

My grandfather was an Army Chaplain in both WW 1 and 11. He returned home safely from both. How do I find out his Army Record Number as only records of those who died seem to be available easily.

[Redroger]

Get a look at the Army List for either or both conflicts. They are held at Kew, National Army Museum, and a variety of reference libraries. There you will find him, as I believe that all Army chaplains were given the rank of officer.

[stanmapstone]

You could contact  the Museum of Army Chaplaincy
http://www.army.mod.uk/chaplains/museum/13117.aspx

Stan

[AlisonT]

Thanks for replies. I will check main reference library in Sydney for William Etienne WATTS and hope it holds the relevent resources.

[mattgibbs]

Was he a New Zealand Chaplain? I'm a new member here interested in the chaplains service. I did a "quick" search in the medal index cards for WW1 and couldn't pick him out, but when I get home tonight I can check the Crockfords Directory to see if he was C of E. I have an immediate pre war Army List and will see if he is in that. If he rejoined after the start of the war he won't be but have another idea of how to find him if he was in the british Army.
regards
Matt

[AlisonT]

Thanks, Matt. Definitely in the British Army and was C Of E.  I found him in Crockfords, but, although very interesting as to where and when he was ordained etc, it didnt help me with his Army record. Still it might help you with your ideas. Any help gratefully accepted. Alison

[mattgibbs]

Well, thanks for that. I looked him up in my 1948 Crockfords which helps to narrow down his career in the forces. I see he was TCF 1917-1919 and then CF(EC) 1941-1944. This basically means he was ranked as a Temporary Chaplain to the Forces in WW1, a duration of war commission, and in WW2 he was a Chaplain to the Forces (Emergency Commission) which is more or less the same thing, serving for the duration.
Do you know if he was wounded, or sick, I'm just asking because he seems to have 'retired' in 1944 which obviously is short of the end of the war. He may have been ill?
I will have some more news later
Regards
Matt

[AlisonT]

In later Crockfords it gives his actual retirement date as late 50s I think, can't find actual note at the moment, but he didnt die until feb 1965, buried at Knutsford.  I don't know if he was ill or wounded in 1944. Regards Alison

[mattgibbs]

Hello again;
Found some useful info for you. Sadly cannot [yet] find his date of demobilisation after WW1. But did find William Etienne Dumere Watts appointed to be ChF4 1st November 1917.
Also for WW2
230887 William Etienne Dumere Watts appointed ChF4 Emergency Commission 9th May 1942 and resigned his commission 14th September 1944.
If you want me to look into his service details for you I shall be happy to do so in a few weeks when I hope to visit the archive.
Also if you have any other info on his career I would be interested to know. You could always PM me if you prefer?
I forgot to add that ChF4 means Chaplain to the Forces 4th Class, ranked as Captain.
Regards
Matt Gibbs