John T mentioned this earlier. Might it not be just 3 RWF….with the registrar choosing to write the Bn number that way.
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John T mentioned this earlier. Might it not be just 3 RWF….with the registrar choosing to write the Bn number that way.
A Special Reservist received four to six months training upon enlistment, and then another two weeks or so each year. As long as he was able to present himself at the Depot in Wrexham when required, and for the required period, the Army couldn't care less where he choose to live. As an example, the 1st Bn in October 1914 had one Special Reservist who lived in Macclesfield. Not exactly next door.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taff Wrexham
For the Territorials it was a bit more difficult as they were required to attend training once a week (hence the nickname 'Saturday Night Soldiers') and living close to the drill hall was a definite advantage. A TF Company was a very local affair, each with its own drill hall. Again as an example, 4th RWF (Denbighshire) had Companies (and drill halls) in Wrexham, Gresford, Ruabon, Denbigh, Coedpoeth, Gwersyllt, Rhosllanerchrugog and Llangollen.
John
Regan, Patrick, 4459 PteQuote:
Originally Posted by Taff Wrexham
Born Cardiff c.02/1893. Dock labourer. Enlisted 3 RWF 16/11/1911. Posted 1 RWF 11/11/1914. Landed 23/11/1914. Shrapnel wound right thigh 25/09/1915. To UK 30/09/1915. Posted 3 RWF 12/12/1915. Returned to France 11/01/1916 to 24/08/1916, bn unknown. Posted 3 RWF 11/11/1916. Posted Training Reserve (Cpl) 01/09/1917. Demobilised (Cpl) 17/04/1919.
MM (LG 23/08/1916).
John
As William was a 3rd Bn man, this is certainly a logical explanation. But it's the first time I have seen a battalion number written in Roman numerals. The Registrar must have had a bad hair day.Quote:
Originally Posted by ap1
John
High V then :biglaugh:
Nooooo William was 1st Batallion.Quote:
Originally Posted by John Turner
Aw nuts! Back to the drawing board.
Still high five I reckon. Although he was killed with 1st Battalion he was a 3rd Battalion man (Special Reserves). The 3rd Battalion did not fight as an unit (it was UK based) but sent men to the various Battalions that needed them.
Ivor (post 39). William Davies and William Clarke were two different men each entitled to the relevant medals and each with a set of extant papers. Even if their papers had not survived the existence of the medal authorisation would surely give rise to the application of the Occam's Razor rule i.e
""simpler explanations are, other things being equal, generally better than more complex ones"
His records say 1st Battalion, as does the CWGC memorial. However what your saying makes sense. Does anyone agree disagree with Gwilwil? Can Baconwallah dig up the same record as he did for Pvt Regan?
Gwilwil and Baconwallah are two of the most accomplished experts on the RWF of the Great War period….worldwide…indeed at least one of them is a published author on the subject. So I would accept what they're saying is almost certainly correct. Their source references are often better than the RWF Museum. So top level research and free at point of source. Can't be bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taff Wrexham
During a lull in the battle on the night of the 17/18th, the battalion recovered the bodies of over 100 men from No Mans Land.
A few words about the Army Reserve as it was in 1914.
A man could enlist for "7 and 5", seven years with the Colours and five years with the Reserve (the latter could be extended another four years, the so called "Section D' reserve). Men who were interested in a bit of army life - and more importantly the additional source of income which I believe was 6d daily - but did not want to become full time soldiers could join the 'Special Reserve', which meant four to six months initial training and then a week or so of training annually until the end of their contract. The function of the Special Reserve was to provide more trained men in an emergency in which the Regular Reserve might well prove insufficient. The Special Reserve was organised as an infantry battalion, numbered immediately following the Regular battalions. Hence the Regular battalions of the RWF were the 1st and 2nd Bns, the Special Reserve was the 3rd Bn.
In 1914 all Regular battalions needed reservists and special reservists to make up their numbers, sometimes only a few, sometimes more than 60% of the original strength.
A man posted to one of the Regular battalions from the 3rd (SR) Bn would thus be a 3rd Bn man but serving with the 1st or 2nd Bn. Administratively he would be taken over by the 1st (or 2nd) Bn, but he would still be 3rd (SR) Bn. The CWGC would not have made the distinction - Clarke was with the 1st Bn when he died, and that is what the CWGC records.
Hywyn, I seem to be unable to find Clarke's service record which you say is still extant. Could you PM me a link, please? I can then summarise his career as I did for Regan. Also a useful addition to my book.
John
OK. I'm happy with that. It all makes sense; fog of war and all that. I'll wait to see if Baconwallah can post a summary of William Clarke's service career and then close off the thread. In the meantime I'll open a new one. :winkicon:
Bloody hell I'm a Lance Jack!
For what it is worth, I agree with the thoughts so far, III = 3/RWF