Hello everyone,
This is my first post on this board, though I have posted on the Ireland Board before.
While researching a WW1 soldier, Lt. Augustus Battersby, Connaught Rangers, who died of dysentery in 1915 in the Cameroons, I came across a reference to his brother John Radcliffe Battersby, serving in the East African Rifles.
Out of curiosity I had a look at what I think is John's Medal Roll Card. This shows he served in 2 Regiments - the East African M. Rifles & East African V.L. Firstly, can anyone confirm the correct title of his regiments - I think the "M" might be "Mounted", and the "L" may be "Lancers", but I am stuck on the "V".
His MRC also shows "Reduced to the Ranks 7.9.15 19F" - I am curious as to what happened! Presumably a Court Martial, would the record be available? Does 19F refer to a particular offence?
Augustus and John were sons of a Barrister & QC/KC, and probably would have been considered as "Landed Gentry" - the family owned a large house & considerable land in Co. Westmeath, Ireland. Augustus was a Curate in the Church of Ireland, based in Antrim, but left the Church when he was gazetted to the Connaught Rangers as a 2nd LT. I assume because of his family connections the same would have applied to John.
I have no connection to the Battersby family - I am researching Augustus as part of a project to list & research all those from Antrim & surrounding area who served during WW1. I am a member of 1st Antrim Somme Association.
