Edgar Cox War Record

[adamthomas]

With the 100 year anniversary coming on Sunday, I wanted to read into my own relatives duties during WW1. I have the attached record for my Great Grand Father Edgar Cox but I just cant make any of it out, in particular his regiment and rank. Would be great if someone with a good eye could translate!

Thank you as always!

Adam

[stanmapstone]

He was a Trooper in the 1/4th London Howitzer Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA)

Stan

[adamthomas]

He was a Trooper in the 4th London Howitzer Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA)

Stan

Thank you! Sounds "explosive"!

[stanmapstone]

4th London (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery
1908   Formed with headquarters at Lewisham from 2nd Kent RGA (V)
1914   Became 1st / 4th London (Howitzer) Brigade RFA (TF) upon formation of a second line unit

See http://www.steppingforwardlondon.org/county-of-london.html

Stan

[adamthomas]

4th London (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery
1908   Formed with headquarters at Lewisham from 2nd Kent RGA (V)
1914   Became 1st / 4th London (Howitzer) Brigade RFA (TF) upon formation of a second line unit

See http://www.steppingforwardlondon.org/county-of-london.html

Stan

Thank you so much!

[ShaunJ]

I believe he was a Trumpeter, rather than a Trooper. FindMyPast has a couple of army files for him:

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM/WO363-4/007305496/00583&parentid=GBM/WO363-4/7305496/29/583

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM/WO363-4/007305496/00594&parentid=GBM/WO363-4/7305496/29/594

[ainslie]

I was trying to post about “Trooper” being unlikely in the Artillery, but Trumpeter is much more likely. 

[adamthomas]

Thanks for the info, what would being a Trumpeter involve?

[ainslie]

Others may put this better but I think he would have full training as a soldier, with tuition on the many variety of ‘calls’ made in the Artillery and cavalry on trumpets, where infantry used bugles.  He would probably be attached to a battery commander to sound whatever messages were required.
I suspect that the role would become redundant as the war developed and he may well have served later as Gunner (equivalent rank to private).