Help with info on my great-grandfather

[RobbieCE]

Hi everyone,

I have become aware from a family member and an old newspaper clipping I found in some old family photos that my great-grandfather served in the first world war. The newspaper clipping states he served with the South Wales Borderers and survived the battle of the Somme.

I have been searching online for any records but sadly can't find any. I'm aware most service records were lost during the second world war but is it unusual that I can't even locate a medal index card for him?

His name is Wilfred Baker, born 7 September 1894 from Cwmbran - South Wales.

Thanks

[CaroleW]

Do you have his service number?

[shume]

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1132878

Medal card of Baker, Wilfred
Corps   Regiment No   Rank
Border Regiment   202409   Private

Might be worth paying a small fee to download this record from Nat Archives Uk although I suspect his medals would be those awarded to all soldiers.

[CaroleW]

The MRI for that Service number only shows he was awarded the British Medal - not the Victory Medal as well & no Theatre of War is shown.  Given the info in the opening post I wonder if this was the same Wilfred Baker. 

https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/border-regiment

[CaroleW]

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/322/south-wales-borderers

There were a number of battalions in the SW Borderers & looking at the first 8 I can't see anything obvious about the Somme but you may want to read each one as it could help identify which battalion served in the Battle of the Somme

EDIT

A quick Google suggests the 38th

https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/swb.htm

[Gwil]

202409 can also be discounted as he was from Manchester area and died at sea 10 1 1917.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2894235/wilfred-baker/

[RobbieCE]

Thanks everyone for the inputs. I think one of my best chances now is to possibly book an appointment at my local archives and check the AVL's to see if I can possibly get any hits that way. It has to be worth a go...

[CaroleW]

Your grandfather had no other christian names.  Looking through the MRI for Wilfred  Baker entries and checking if any showed a Theatre of War entry only turns up 2 entries. 

Royal Engineers - driver - 2 possible service numbers - 96 & 486227
Theatre of War entered 19.1.1915 - no country shown

RAMC - private - service number 1788 - ToW - 27.2.1915 no country shown but shows (1)

[Gwil]

Thanks everyone for the inputs. I think one of my best chances now is to possibly book an appointment at my local archives and check the AVL's to see if I can possibly get any hits that way. It has to be worth a go...

I can assist with this. What address[es] do you have? Give the parish if you know it.