Trying to follow an officer of the Army Service Corps

[jimbo09]

Hello
A relative of mine served with the Army Service Corps (ASC) during WW1.

He had been in the reserve of Officers, and joined the ASC as an temporary Lieutenant in Nov 1915. I can find him in the Army Lists, and I can find his promotions (Lt, Capt, Maj) in the gazette and RLCarchive, but the only other thing I can find regarding his time in the War is his medal card which shows his first overseas assignment in Sept 1916 to Egypt. I don’t even know which section of the ASC he worked for.

He was William Moore Cole-Hamilton, born 3 Apr 1883. His service number may have been P82468, though that may instead refer to his time in the Army before WW1.

Can anyone advise a route forward to find out where he spent the war (always in Egypt, or transferred around), and what he did within the ASC.

Jim

[Ashtone]

His service number may have been P82468, though that may instead refer to his time in the Army before WW1.

As you're probably aware, his service number P82468 is from Ancestry's UK, Military Discharge Indexes, 1920-1971, which is an MOD database. These lists comprise the names and service numbers of those who were discharged from the armed forces after 1920 and born before 1901.

His other number is AOP000535473, which is the Ministry of Defence Reference Number.

As he was an Officer, have you checked TNA to confirm if his record still exists? This link provides guidance on locating an officer’s service record:
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/how-to-research-a-soldier/how-to-find-an-officers-service-reord/

[jimbo09]

He is not listed in WO339 or 374 under any combination of his names. There are several of his Cole-Hamilton relatives.
From TNA I have only found his medal card.

Jim

[jimbo09]

[/quote]


His other number is AOP000535473, which is the Ministry of Defence Reference Number.


[/quote]

No! I was not aware. Is there any significance to the letters in that number.

[ShaunJ]

His army file is still held by the MoD per the Freedom of Information disclosures:

AOP000535473   File   P82468   COLE-HAMILTON WM   1883-04-03

You can apply for a copy which will cost £30 and there is currently a very long wait:

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

[jimbo09]

His army file is still held by the MoD per the Freedom of Information disclosures:

AOP000535473   File   P82468   COLE-HAMILTON WM   1883-04-03

You can apply for a copy which will cost £30 and there is currently a very long wait:

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

This is interesting.
The MOD site says that army records are available from 1921 onwards, but not WW1, (which it says are held by National Archives)
But you’ve been able to find the MOD record number.

It’s a £30 punt and currently a 12 month wait. Should I just give it a go?

[jimbo09]

Nothing ventured and all that. The request and cheque are in the post

[Ashtone]

But you’ve been able to find the MOD record number.

The MOD number was in Ancestry's UK, Military Discharge Indexes, 1920-1971.
I could be wrong, but I think the P82468 number was assigned to him by the MOD after the war ended.
I don't think it's a regimental number. Lots of P-numbers listed for service men in the MOD database above.