George Ritson 1890-1954

[jim1]

So taken in France.
The reference to being wiped out may refer to the 1916 Somme offensive where 2/Batt. LF were involved from day one.
Looking at the list of Officer casualties they must have had a huge number of OR casualties.
They were also involved at Passchendaele so he may be referring to that but I don't think the casualty rate was as high.

[John Ritson]

Thanks Jim, I will check that out. As he wrote on the back of the Thrid Class Certificate about his exploits on the 126th August 1914 up to October that would suggest he got that certificate before coming to France. That may have played a part in his transfer to the RE to be a dispatch rider. He may have had training in England as he already had the training for mounted infantry in 1912. Everyone here has helped me understand both my grandfather and also why my Dad joined the territorial army and served for 11 years reaching sargent.

[jim1]

I'm pretty sure he did have pre war training. He may have owned his own machine.
Generally the RE only took men with pre war skills or expertise although there are exceptions to that.
It makes sense when looking for men with a particular skill to look inside their own Division first.

[John Ritson]

I have a memorandum from the Regtl paymaster (R.C. of Signals) Chatham dated 16th April 1929 saying that your service will expire 26th April 1929. Does this mean that he continued in the reserves by re-enlisting. The I/D # is Dr/14

[jim1]

By 1929 he'd served his complete term so no Reserves.

[John Ritson]

Sorry Jim I meant that as his 12 years was up in 1920 I didn't understand the 1929 reference.

[MaxD]

You might like to download the relevant war diaries to give a flavour of his war.

2nd Bn LF (three date periods) at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C4554658

4 Div Signals Company RE (5 date periods) at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C4554622

All on Ancestry if you have a sub.

While war diaries of infantry units seldom mention other ranks by name, smaller units such as a Sigs Coy sometimes do,  You may also find reference to reinforcements to the Sigs Coy from LF in mid/late 1916 (relating to the comment about "after the battalion was wiped out" which jim1 suggest may date to mid 1916).

maxD

[jim1]

Had a look at the diary Max & no mention of movement of OR's up to March 1918.
Just re-read this:

92) a Memorandum from the army pay office saying his service will expire 26th March 1929.

I took this as him staying on for his full term of 21 years.

[MaxD]

jim1 LF and RE diaries?