WWI Medals Mystery

[Rauser]

Hi, I'm researching my ancestor Moses JONES, gunner with the RFA Territorial Force in WWI. I'm trying to find out more about his service, especially in which units he may have served and where he was overseas. Moses survived the war and emigrated to the USA in 1925.

From his MIC, there is some basic information (branch of service is the RFA, potential unit and regimental numbers) but no other useful information except that it appears his medals were returned.

I recently obtained his record from the WO329 Medal Rolls collection and there are cryptic comments that I have not found any reference to. I am hoping that those with more experience can help explain these.

Specifically, there is a comment "Rev. C RV/227B 07-4-8 23 K.R. 1743 ( 1912) 8136 ADT." The portion about the medals returned and destroyed under King's Regulation (1912) para. 1743 I understand. The "Rev. C RV/227B 07-4-8 23" part I do not.

Is it possible from any of this information to determine in which RFA unit Moses Jones served, and what was the issue? My next step will be to try and order his service records against regimental number 725430 but any other information I can provide would be greatly appreciated. I've attached both MIC and Medals Roll info as attachments.

Thanks in advance,
Chris Rau
Battle Creek, Michigan USA

[km1971]

Hi Chris

If his service record is not on Ancestry then it was destroyed in the fire of 1940.

CRV = Certified Receipt Voucher. In other words the two medals were returned to the Medal Office on 4 August 1923 and recorded on CRV 227B 07. They would have been kept for ten years and if not claimed, recycled. If they had been claimed you would expect to see details of an IV (Issue Voucher). The final ADT reference is an internal reference whose meaning has been lost.

The TF were preWW1 part-timers. But as he was not awarded the 1914-15 Star strongly suggests he enlisted after the start of the war, when they were full-timers like any other RFA unit. He probably had no say in which brigade he was assigned to.

Each TF brigade would have had its own numbering sequence. So there would after been about 25 men also with number 1095. The TF started at 1 in 1908 from the old Volunteers.

In March 1917 the TF were given unique six digit numbers. 725420 was in a block given to 1st Welsh TF RFA brigade which was broken up with its batteries given to 2nd/1st Cheshire and 2nd/4th Welsh.

Ken

[Rauser]

Hi Ken,

Thank you for deciphering these codes on the medals roll. I am interested in what your sources are for  interpreting the units associated with Moses Jones' regiment number.

I will have to visit the library to use Ancestry to check on whether a service record exists for Moses, but assuming the worst, it would be interesting to pursue other avenues of investigation on where he served.

Cheers,
-Chris

[mmm45]

http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/renumbering-of-the-territorial-force-in-1917/renumbering-of-the-tf-artillery-in-1917/

Plenty of information on numbering in link above.Great War Forum is good source of info

Ady

[alan o]

The fact that he did not have the 1914/15 star does not mean that he was not in the Army - only that he was not in France or another war-zone beofre 31 Dec 1915.  He could have been in the TF during that time but if he was still in the UK would not have earned the medal.

[Rauser]

I have a photo of him in July of 1915 (his wedding) where he is in uniform. Unfortunately, we cannot see any clear detail of his shoulder badge. He definitely is wearing an RFA uniform, with the bandoleer and lanyard.