Private Thomas Croft RWF no 3975693

[landocroft78]

Morning ladies and gents,
My family has an affiliation with the Manchester Regiment in both the Boar and First World War but my grandad had a photo where he in in RWF Colours in Wales and the family said Staffordshire. Caernarvon is on the back of photo with Bracken wales. Fusilier T Croft 8 or 6 th Company 31st Battalion Hardin Hall Nevin

His no was 3975693. He wasn’t like the rest of the family apparently.
conscientious objector, fanatical Communist it’s been said and well versed to staying in the Glasshouse.

He was son son to Thomas Croft and Sarah Anne (Livesey). Also married to Edith Morgan living in East Manchester Back Cropper St.

Theres nothing on Ancestry about his military record.
I m wondering whether he had one for First World War too although he was born in 1902 Whalley St Manchester

Any help with his number please
Regards
Simon Croft

[Clive Hughes]

Hi Simon,
His number as stated by you was actually within the block issued from August 1920 onwards to soldiers of the Welch Regiment, not the RWF (though he could have transferred later). If he was a soldier post-1920 then his records will still be with the Ministry of Defence, and copies can be applied for from this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

Clive

[landocroft78]

Is it possible he could have been with the Mancs or Lancs prior to that with a different service number?

[Clive Hughes]

Hi,
Yes, he could have been in any regiment or regiments before August 1920, and with other numbers. If the Welch Regt. Museum (based in Brecon now) have their set of 1920 Enlistment Registers, they could perhaps tell you more. But the full file is only available from the MoD.

There was indeed a 31st (Service) Battalion RWF, in the Second World War, a Home Defence unit. Formerly the 14th (HD) Battalion, it was renamed in November 1941. "E" Company was stationed at four different locations at that time, including Nevin (Nefyn) on the Lleyn Peninsula. The battalion also served in other locations before its disbandment in May 1946.

Clive