Why did some soldiers attest abroad in 1919 ?

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Hello,
I have a great Uncle who was with the Swansea Pals until the end of WW1 not sure exactly when they were disbanded  but anyhow he attested to the ROAC in March 1919 in Calais . I had assumed that men would return to England before the Regiment disbanded is this not necessarily so ?
Hoping someone can help .good

[MaxD]

Regiments didn't return home at the end of the war complete.  According to their war diary, the battalion was overseas until May 1919.  More relevant is the scheme for re-enlistments in 1919 described here  http://www.1914-1918.net/reenlistment.html which would seem applicable to your man.

MaxD

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Hello
Thank you so much ,I have had a quick look & that sounds really interesting& lots more to look into .
Thank you once again.
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[MaxD]

You might like to download the battalion war diary here for £3.50 iscovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7354160.  The November 1918 to March 1919 diary may well have entries relating to the gradual demob of men and, if you are lucky, may mention your man or at least the re-enlistment.

MaxD

Had a quick look, he diary says where they were during Dec 18 to May 1919 but nothing about the demob/move of soldiers at all.

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Hello,
   Once again thank you but & I will look to see if his record is with the ROAC records .
Many Thanks
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[MaxD]

If your man re-enlisted in 1919 then at that time the Army Ordnance Corps was not yet Royal.  They became Royal in 1922.  If you know he served in the RAOC (not ROAC), which seems likely with a 1919 re-enlistment, then his records will still be with the Ministry of Defence, you will not find them on line.
 https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

MaxD

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Hello again,
Thank you for the link I have his service number for RAOC
so hopefully I can apply for his record.
Many thanks
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