Welsh Regiment Records

[SharonAnne]

My great grandfather, John Williams, enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (TA) in July 1920 in Holyhead. His enlistment form shows that he had previously been in the Welsh Regiment and was discharged in May 1920, but I can't find any further information on this.

His army number in the Welsh Regiment was 85741
He was born around May 1900 in Holyhead

Any help finding information about his time in the Welsh Regiment would be appreciated.

[KGarrad]

Some two-thirds of WW1 Service Records were destroyed in a WW2 bombing raid.

[Gwil]

Sharon
When you say his enlistment form do you mean such a form is in your possession or do you mean the RWF post 1920 enlistment register?
The register may provided a bit more info.

What is his RWF number please? Should be a seven digit one starting with 417 or 418.

There's a chance also that his WW1 records will be with his post war record at the MoD.

[SharonAnne]

Sharon
When you say his enlistment form do you mean such a form is in your possession or do you mean the RWF post 1920 enlistment register?
The register may provided a bit more info.

Sorry, yes I mean the enlistment register. It lists his wife and daughter, his age and his occupation. As well as previous and future military enlistments (he was discharged from the RWF in March 1939 and then enlisted in the Loyal Lancs in June 1939, keeping the same army number).

What is his RWF number please? Should be a seven digit one starting with 417 or 418.

There's a chance also that his WW1 records will be with his post war record at the MoD.

4178620

[Gwil]

As you have probably found out he is not in the medal rolls which means no overseas service before armistice. He was 20yrs 3 months when he enlisted in RWF TA on 8 7 1920 making him born April 1900 which would leave it a bit tight to get overseas before armistice. He might have gone over after though.

Given the post war service and the WW2 service (looks as if he was at Dunkirk) then his papers should be at the MoD. They may contain some WW1 material. If you apply for them use the seven digit number.
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

[ShaunJ]

he was discharged from the RWF in March 1939

Where did you see the March 1939 date? Both the enlistment register and the discharge register show his discharge date as 31 December 1932.

[SharonAnne]

As you have probably found out he is not in the medal rolls which means no overseas service before armistice. He was 20yrs 3 months when he enlisted in RWF TA on 8 7 1920 making him born April 1900 which would leave it a bit tight to get overseas before armistice. He might have gone over after though.

Given the post war service and the WW2 service (looks as if he was at Dunkirk) then his papers should be at the MoD. They may contain some WW1 material. If you apply for them use the seven digit number.
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

Thank you.

he was discharged from the RWF in March 1939

Where did you see the March 1939 date? Both the enlistment register and the discharge register show his discharge date as 31 December 1932.

I have no idea why I put March 1939 (brain freeze ), yes it was 31 December 1932.