help please on where I can find my Grandfathers ww1 Record

[KGarrad]

See: http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/themedals.html
and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Medal

I used The Mess Dress to get a set of medals and ribbons, and miniatures, for a friend:
http://www.messdress.com/shop/medal-ribbons/wwi-wwii-ribbons.html

[MaxD]

Jacqueline - you have yourself indicated that military matters are a new area to you and Mancpal's suggestion of sites to start you off with researching is a good one.  That said, I fear that some replies may have served only to confuse.  I have taken the liberty of sending you a PM to show how the medal cards and medal rolls fit into the big picture and to expalin why it is that none of what is cited can, with 100% certainty, be said to belong to your Grandfather and what you can expect if you send for his record.

I've had a brief look at newspapers for your man.  Those I have access to show only a conviction in 1934 for speeding (at 28 mph!!) in Foston Lincolnshire of Arthur Nelson Robbins of Bradford who wrote in mitigation that he was an ex-soldier with six children and a Military Medal from the war and a fine driving record- a number of previous convictions were found and he was fined £1.

maxD

[jim1]

Can see only 1 Arthur Robbins awarded all 3 Medals:
10452 Pte. Arthur Robbins 6th. & 1st. E. Yorks. Regt.
Theatre entered 2b (Balkans) 14/7/1915.

[MaxD]

I saw him also Jim1 and have mentioned him in a PM to jackie563.  Also (cross check) that I find no 14/15 Star for the A N Robbins.
However, AN Robbins roll says serving,  A Robbins says  -Class Z  A.R.

I know what Class Z is, any idea on A.R?  Can't also find a MM award in the Gazette, I've lost my sub to the Times.

I've pointed out that this illustrates why, because cards/rolls cannot, usually,  be tied to an individual 100%,  it is important (unless there is some other evidence) to get his records.

maxD

[jim1]

Agree his service record is a must.
As far as I'm aware Class Z A. R. = Army Reserve.
It's possible I suppose that he re-enlisted.
I couldn't find his MM either.
Message to poster:
How accurate is the info. that you've been given ?
I ask this as there were no British at the Russian Front. That was a Russian/German conflict & I've never heard of the Royal Expeditionary Force.

[MaxD]

jim1 - Jacqueline will no doubt be in touch but my feeling is that "Russian Front" is simply what the man on the Clapham omnibus (or in this case a family on the bus) would call "Churchill's war" that you have cited.

A re-enlistment would also explain a blank MIC with an post 1920 number.

But, as I know you would agree, more possible jigsaw pieces while the box with the picture on remains with MOD.

maxD

[jim1]

Just have to hope that 4334618 Robbins & 10452 Robbins are one in the same.

[MaxD]

Indeed, which prompts a further question for Jackie563. 

Going back to your first post, you said you had medal records with the 4334618 number.  Is there any other info in the family (the medals/correspondence of the time??) that confirm that the number actually belongs to him?  As you've seen, there are other possibilities which is what is behind jim1's post.

maxD

[Rena]

According to family stuff kept clippings and such he was 14 and the c ouple of years later his brother ran off without concent and enlisted as we have a letter with her actually begging for the war department to send him home as he was also under age and in the letter it says her older son the 14 year was in russia..

jacqueline

I think maybe the reference to "Russia" could actually have been to "PRUSSIA", which is part of Germany.    I've seen a few references to Yorkshire regiments being in East Prussia which is now part of Poland.