Fusiler J Roberts

One of our branch members is trying to find out as much information about his great grandfather Fus J (Believe Joseph) Roberts. (possible 1662105)His great grandfather served in the RWF believed from 1928 as he boed for the regiment and was awarded a boxing trophy Baluchistan District 1928.He woulkd be pleased if anyone can throw some light on Fus Roberts where he was born? any Service history? Any medals awarded? any family history?Any help in this matter is very much appreciated.Best RegardsBennytheBall

It goes without saying that identifying a J Roberts in the RWF is a bit of a hard task! :-)
There is a Pte J Roberts 1662105 who has a medal card showing an entitlement to the Indian General Medal with Clasp Waz 1921-24 with the RWF. This number is an Army number (as opposed to a Regimental one) i. e post 1920 and furthermore is in the Royal Artillery block. Although I can't conclusively show it I believe that 166xxxx contains many of the 61st Medium Regt RA (TA) which was formed after the War out of the old Denbighshire Yeomanry (& possibly 24th Bn RWF men) and the Welsh (Carnarvon) Heavy RGA.

Possibly the best way to approach this is to ascertain a bit more of what the member knows for sure and to indicate where he gets the number from i.e from research or from family documents. Some addresses linked to J Roberts, esp war, immediate post war ones would be ideal of course but this sounds as it may be what the member is looking for.

Hywyn

I think Hywyn has hit the nail on the head.

The chap is 1662102 Fus J Roberts 1/RWF - Alas no Christian name is given, but as above, it looks like he transferred in to the RWF sometime before the Waziristan campaign.

His records should still be with the MOD and a Freedom of Information Act request would be be the best route to go.

Some more information about his parents\siblings\where they lived etc might help to obtain his name and age from the census.

Richard

HywynMany Thanks for this the branch member did research this sometime ago with the RWF Musuem and the statement that the musuem came up with is as follows:Fusilier Joseph RobertsThank you for your enquiry about your grandfather's service with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.I am afriad we do not hold any service records of those who served in the Regiment, but do hold other records which can usually provide some information. In your grandfather's case I'm afriad I can find nothing.If he was in India in 1928 then Fus Roberts must have been a Regular Army soldier serving with the 1st Bn. In our Medal Roll for the Indian General Service Medal (Waziristan Campaign 1919-24 there is 1662105 Fus J Roberts. This could possibly be your grandfather? Do you know if he had this medal? (no he doesn't).We hold enlistment registers for 1920 to 1946 and a search in them located several Joseph Roberts. All however enlisted after 1928 so they can be discounted. 1662105 Fus Roberts does not appear as his number is too early.Sporting events, i.e. boxing were normally covered in the Regimental Journal "Y Driag Goch", but unfortunately it was not published between 1926 and 1930.Hywyn, I think what have researched is the man? I will mspeak to our member on Friday at our dinner and try and get some more info.But if you get anything more on this chap, please do.Once again Many Thanks for you help on this.Best RegardsBennytheBall

RichardHe believe's he was born Bangor North Wales.

I think we need to take a step back after reading the above. The musuem have a best guess, but as they say there will be a lot of J Roberts'

We need to know if the family have anything solid on which to build.

Benny
I agree with Richard. The Archives reply indicates that the member knows the name to be Joseph. A potential start point is his death/grave details which may give a rough year of birth leading to eliminating/confirming potential WW1 service etc. It may also give spouse details which will lead to the Marrage Cert and thus his fathers name.
There are a few possibles at Bangor1911 (assuming it's the Caernarfonshire one). Getting the rough year/other family data might solve it.

Hywyn

Richard/HywynMember say he left the RWF 1929 and died of Malaria shortly after.Born in Banger Caernarfonshire.The only clue is this boxing trophy Baluchistan now part of Pakistan dated 1928.