Grandad's regiment?

[mmm45]

With the extra info its likely he was with 1st Reserve Brigade RFA in newcastle upon tyne.

He was one of the first to War in Aug 1914.

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0zas/

What about the Absent Voters LIst ....from thread above there is a pre war one for Newcastle under lyme

Ady

[km1971]

Before 1920 one stripe was a Bombardier. The RA removed the rank of Corporal then, so Corporals became Bombardiers, and Bombardiers became Lance Bombardiers.

'1914' at the top of the card shows he was awarded the 1914 Star - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/medal-index-cards-ww1.htm

He was therefore almost certainly a Regular soldier at the start of WW1.

Ken

[jim1]

He may have been a Driver when he was awarded his medals & promoted afterwards but before the photo was taken.
jim

[km1971]

As Ady says he would not have received his last two ribbons until after the war. Maybe as late as the end of 1920/21. By which time one stripe - if that what it is - would mean Lance Bombardier in the RA.

However the RA are supposed to have switched the lanyard from the left shoulder to the right in 1920. Someone on the Great War Forum or firepower.org may be able to confirm this. Or he may have transfered to another corps using horses, such as the RASC. In this case he would be a Lance Corporal.

The regiment, rank and number impressed onto WW1 medals correspond to when he went overseas (for the 1914 and 1914-15 Stars), and what he was on 11 November 1918 for the Victory Medal and British War Medals. You may have to bite the bullet and apply for his service record from the MOD.

Ken

[jim1]

All of his medals were awarded while in the RFA.
The card lists his RASC numbers including his 6 digit number which ( & I assume ) he was given after the 1920 reorganisation.
So this photo must be of him in the RASC.

jim

[Billiegirl]

Thanks Ady,Ken and Jim for the wealth of information. Ady, I've taken your advice about the Absent Voters list, so hopefully I'll get a reply soon. The MOD I'll leave as a last resort as its expensive, even if they find no results. Apparently the LDS have the same thing on microfiche so I might have a look there.

I'm thinking that the photo was taken as soon as the medal ribbon was sewn on! Its the only one we have of him so I'm very glad he did. I believe the M in front of the 39933 Service Corps number refers to "Mechanised Transport", in which case it doesn't really sound like Grandad. However he has another number after that, so maybe he was just trying out a new occupation! It will be good to find out.

Many thanks again, all input greatly appreciated

  Billiegirl

[Billiegirl]

Hello, just wanted to let you all know you were correct about the RFA. I found Charles' Attestation entry for 1919, where he signed up for another two years, and it does confirm that it is his medal card. I accidentally found the new doc when I was looking for his son on FindMyPast. Just goes to show - never give up 
Lots of interesting info on it, including that he joined the army in 1910, when he was 16!

So thanks everyone, now I can put grandad in his rightful place on the CWGC site in time for the centenary. Fantastic! I'm over the moon......

Very best wishes

Billiegirl   

[mmm45]

Hi Billiegirl thats great you finally confirmed his Regiment.

You wont be able to get him added to CWGC though as he wasnt a casualty of war.
There are lots of local events comemorating the centenary so maybe find out if theres a local one to you and add his story to that.

Ady

[jim1]

The Imperial War Museum have a site that's just come online where you can upload photos & stories:
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/3541773