Grandads Service Record

[whiteout7]

"In June 1916, 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade (complete with V Battery, RHA) left the division and was reformed for service in Mesopotamia. Other than the Battle of the Somme in 1916 (Battle of Bazentin Ridge, 14–17 July and Battle of Flers-Courcelette, 15–22 September) and the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, the division was not involved in battle. Instead, it was held in reserve in case of a breakthrough, although it did send parties to the trenches on a number of occasions. They would hold the line, or act as Pioneers; such parties were designated as, for example, the Mhow Battalion."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XVII_Brigade,_Royal_Horse_Artillery

The only mention of Mesapotamia I can find with RHA, so was he V Battery RHA?

Forces War Records.com index  has:

George   Collin   51925   Driver   1919   Royal Field Artillery   
George   Collin   51925   Driver   1914   Royal Field Artillery

(Would the 1914 be attestation and the 1919 be discharge??)
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/search

He had no middle name just George Collins? Did the medal Card not have another service number on it besides 51925? Did the medal card have a first theatre of battle? Can you search by birth place?

?? George   Collin   —   —   1088300   —
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/royal-artillery-attestations-1883-1942

[MaxD]

You have certainly done as much as is possible and, if I may say so, in doing so have honoured his memory already by your persistence. Light two candles!

Best

MaxD

[collin]

Thank you MaxD
We always go to the 11am service but this year they are having one in church at 6.30 to light a candle for each of the 39 local lads

[collin]

Thank you to whiteout7 for the information
The medal card says RHA 51925 and see sec B  A Reserve
underneath is x RFA/3478 4693
Also on the 1984 letter it just says RHA Regular Army
In India 14/12/11----15/7/16
Mesapotamia 16/7/16-----28/1/19
He told my uncle that he did his fighting in Mesapotamia their job was to take the guns up to the front to create an umbrella for the troops to advance under and he also did a bit of lancing on horseback
Thank you

[collin]

I checked out the one on Findmypast, he was 1946

[Marianthompson47]

I have a similar problem with my father's service records.
I wrote to the MOD who told me they could find nothing at all.
They said they were transferring details to the National Archives.
So I have tried that site with his name, service number and date of birth
Not one result.

quote author=km1971 link=topic=564350.msg4168830#msg4168830 date=1320354322]
Hi Glyn

There are only medal index cards, 'WW1 service Records' and/or 'WW1 pension files'.  Kew have removed themselves from the picture as regards the last two as they no longer provide access to any records, as these are on Ancestry (1914 to 1920) or Findmypast (before 1914). Instead they provide free access to these sites via terminals.

The MOD obviously had information in 1984 that has now disappeared. You really need to find out from the MOD what information they have sent to 'Kew' since then. If none then they have lost it. They could be just quoting the party line that they only have records for men discharged after 1920 - I believe that the official cut-off was 20 August 1920. But everyone knows that there are miss-files with records from the 1920s in with WW1 and even in pre-WW1. So it stands to reason that these post 1920s records contain ones from WW1.

You could try firepower.org.uk which is the museum of the RA. But I believe they charge.

Ken
[/quote]

[Kiltaglassan]

I have a similar problem with my father's service records.
I wrote to the MOD who told me they could find nothing at all.
They said they were transferring details to the National Archives.
So I have tried that site with his name, service number and date of birth
Not one result.

quote author=km1971 link=topic=564350.msg4168830#msg4168830 date=1320354322]
Hi Glyn

There are only medal index cards, 'WW1 service Records' and/or 'WW1 pension files'.  Kew have removed themselves from the picture as regards the last two as they no longer provide access to any records, as these are on Ancestry (1914 to 1920) or Findmypast (before 1914). Instead they provide free access to these sites via terminals.

The MOD obviously had information in 1984 that has now disappeared. You really need to find out from the MOD what information they have sent to 'Kew' since then. If none then they have lost it. They could be just quoting the party line that they only have records for men discharged after 1920 - I believe that the official cut-off was 20 August 1920. But everyone knows that there are miss-files with records from the 1920s in with WW1 and even in pre-WW1. So it stands to reason that these post 1920s records contain ones from WW1.

You could try firepower.org.uk which is the museum of the RA. But I believe they charge.

Ken

[/quote]

This original thread was composed in November 2011.

[collin]

I gave up hope of finding grandad's service records, Kew gave me details of his movements in 1984 and his brothers and both are now lost so how many more have been lost?

[Marianthompson47]

I gave up hope of finding grandad's service records, Kew gave me details of his movements in 1984 and his brothers and both are now lost so how many more have been lost?

I am so sorry to hear this Collin.
I feel I am in the same situation as yourself. In spite of all the details I hold, nothing at all. 😔😔