Looking for info re Rifle Brigade & Northumberland Fusiliers

[Porgi]

Trying to research my Ggf's war record.

I have located only his Attestation papers in 1899 for the Rifle Brigade in Newcastle and his Medal Card for WW1 which indicates he was in the Northumberland Fusiliers and that he saw action in France and or Belgium (I think?).

It gives no indication of his battalion. I would really like to find out more if I can - where he fought, what happened to the battalion etc.

The nat archives does not appear to have anything else. Perhaps his record was destroyed with many others in WW2 bombings.

Are there any other places to search?

He migrated to Australia after the war in1921 supposedly (family story) this was paid for by the war office.

Could this be true - was there a scheme to assist those who wished to migrate? 

No one knows what happened to his medals - he was killed in a work accident not long after he came to Australia.

I had no idea he served until I began to research the family history a short time ago.

We hold our war veterans in high esteem in Australia and I would love to let the rest of the family know more


A few details just in case

Name: Benjamin Gladstone

Born 28 Nov 1881 in Chester le Street , County Durham

Enlisted in the Rifle Brigade in Newcastle in 1899 and was a Corporal  regiment No. 6989

Served in the Northumberland Fusiliers as a private Regiment No. 90280

Entered the theatre of War 16.6.1915

Any help much appreciated
Porgi

[t mo]

hello porgi
as you say not a lot on his service record  , i,m certain others will be along to help you with this but in the mean time have you had alook at the site the long long trail you can post messages in there for look ups it is a dedicated site for ww1 give it a go as well as here
happy new year to you and yours trevor

[km1971]

Normal enlistment for a Regular soldier in 1899 was for seven years followed by five years in the Army Reserve. If both the army and the man agreed he could spend the whole 12 years in uniform. If he was overseas after seven years the army had the right to keep him in uniform for an extra one year. His record should say if he transferred to the Reserve, or stayed in uniform. 

His record will also say which battalion he was assigned to (Page 3). The 1st, 2nd and 4th Battalions fought in the Boer War; while the 3rd was in India. At the top of Page 4 it should say South Africa or India. The same page will give details of any medals he was awarded.

If you cannot find his NF papers for WW1 they were probably destroyed during the London Blitz. The best you can do is to find when he enlisted from his number. Either by asking a question on a site such as the Great War Forum or by finding men with similar numbers and searching for their WW1 papers on Ancestry.

Ken

[Porgi]

Thanks for your input.

I have looked up the LLTrail and also joined the Great war Forum. Hopefully (if I'm lucky) I may pick up some further help and info there.

I also went to the UK Nat Archives to look up the Medal Rolls rather than just the Index Card as suggested  to me on the GWForum. However I need to view the microfiche in person!!

I'm told this would at least give the battalion details.

I'm now looking for Website for the various battalions (up to 50 I'm told) that were pulled together from Nothumberland Fusiliers.

Cheers
Porgi

[km1971]

I dont understand the bit about a microfiche in Kew. The WW1 medals rolls as listed on his medal card are original documents.




Ken

[Porgi]

Apologies I misread the info on the Nat Archives site.

It refers to the records of WO 329 being 'digitised' in format, I used an inappropriate term.

Either way unfortunatley I am not in a postion to access this roll as I live in Australia.

Thanks

Porgi

[EBSS]

Hi Porgi
Reading your posts about the Gladstone family.  My GtGtGrandfather Peter Gladstone born in Gateshead had a brother called Joseph born in1870.  Do you know the name of Joseph's father?
Look forward to hearing from you.
EBBS.

[EDDIER]

The UK Military Campaign Medal & Award Rolls 1793-1949
has two entries.
The 1901&1902  South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal serving in the 4th Battalion
Eddie

[EBSS]

http://www.circlecity.co.uk/wartime/board/index.php

This is a great website. Alan Greaves will give you loads of info on WW1 personnel.