Wool Textile Pioneers

[BumbleB]

I have recently been told that my grandfather was a member of the Wool Textile Pioneers, before his service with 11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

However, the pages of his service record which have survived, only refer to his service with the 11th Battalion.

Private Wilfred Firth Appleyard, 26995.

Attested 18 November 1915
Army Reserve 19 November 1915
Rejoined on mobilisation 22 March 1916
France 31 August 1916
Killed in Action 7 October 1916

Where might I find evidence that he was indeed a member of the Wool Textile Pioneers?

Any thoughts gratefully accepted.

[KGarrad]

The 21st Bn, West Yorkshire Regiment was known as the Wool Textile Pioneers

From The Long Long Trail:
21st (Service) Battalion (Wool Textile Pioneers)
Formed in Halifax on 24 September 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City of Leeds.
Moved to Skipton in February 1916.
June 1916 : moved to France.
2 June 1916 : came under orders of 4th Division as Pioneer Battalion.

http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/the-prince-of-waless-own-west-yorkshire-regiment/

[BumbleB]

Thanks.  I had seen that information.  I'm just a bit sceptical, firstly because of the information on his service record (what there is of it), and secondly (and I could be very wrong here) I understood that the Pioneers were basically the guys who dug trenches, etc - my grandfather was a tailor, and, looking at his wedding photograph, neither tall nor "hefty". 

But, he did come from the right area - Halifax.

[KGarrad]

Men in Pioneer Corps also included skilled tradesmen.

From The Long Long Trail:
Infantry Pioneer and Labour or Works Battalions

An early solution to the vast demand for labour was to create in each infantry Division a battalion that would be trained and capable of fighting as infantry, but that would normally be engaged on labouring work. They were given the name of Pioneers. They differed from normal infantry in that they would be composed of a mixture of men who were experienced with picks and shovels (i.e. miners, road men, etc) and some who had skilled trades (smiths, carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, masons, tinsmiths, engine drivers and fitters). A Pioneer battalion would also carry a range of technical stores that infantry would not. This type of battalion came into being with an Army Order in December 1914. In early 1916, a number of infantry battalions composed of men who were medically graded unfit for the fighting were formed for labouring work. They had only 2 officers per battalion. Twelve such battalions existed in June 1916.

[BumbleB]

Thanks.

[BumbleB]

I've just found this in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer of 19 October 1915:

[Mancpal]

If you could track down a couple of service numbers as close as possible to your man it may be that this will place you're man in the 21sts. I've noticed a number of members on the GWF have used this method to narrow down the odds. I haven't needed to use this method so am not certain I remember the exact proceedure correctly so a quick search of the GWF will confirm it for you. Hope this helps

Simon

[BumbleB]

Thanks for that, Simon.  I'll give it a try.  However, I'm still dubious that he would be accepted by the 21st so early in their formation, based on his trade as a tailor, and that the evidence points to him not being of the stature and build required at that time.  Unfortunately I do not have the relevant page of his service record where height and weight are recorded.

[jim1]

He appears on the Roll amongst a batch of men from the 21st. His number is in the sequence given to the 21st. but he is listed as being in the 11th.
So it looks to me that he was originally in the 21st. & transferred to the 11th.
The 11th. were at Le Sars Oct. 1916. On the 7th. the Batt. attacked the German trench to the left of the village & gained & held it but suffered heavy casualties. 8 Officers & 217 OR's.