Alfred Davies 2nd Battalion 1900

**ap1** · 21-11-2011, 20:26

Originally Posted by Norman

Hi AP1
Great Picture. Is there a list of names? Alfred was in Pekin on 7th Oct 1902, as this is when he married.
Regards Norman

That is correct Norman. However according to RWF Regimental Records. On the 29th Oct the Battalion left Pekin aboard the transport ship Salamis arriving at Hong Kong on the 3rd Nov. Then on the 7th Nov they set sail for Calcutta, arriving on the 24th Nov 1902.

On the 7th Dec in India, medals for South Africa and China were presented to the NCO's and men of the 2nd Battalion. I suspect this may have been when the picture of the Sgts mess members was taken(a lot of the guys are sporting medal ribbons). I would point out that according to regimental records some NCO's may have been missing, as a 100 man strong detachment had been deployed to the Delhi, for duty at the Durbar some 5 days earlier on the 2 Dec. Hope this helps.

Brenda Kinghorn · 29-12-2011, 12:12

What a spectacular photo!
Like you AP1, I failed to spot Alfred in the line-up.
Is there any way to find out a list of those who had already been deployed to Dehli when the photo was taken?

I have acquired, from an elderly relative, a copy of Clarence George's birth certificate ( he was Alfred and Elizabeth's eldest son). He was born in Darjeeling in Jan 1904, by which time Alfred was a Sergeant Instructor with the Assam Bengal Volunteer Rifles - so no service number, I'm afraid. However it does confirm that his service with RWF ended sometime between Oct 02 - Jan 04. I would think it highly likely that he went to India with the 2nd Btn, wouldn't you?
Best regards.

**Baconwallah** · 29-12-2011, 13:22

Originally Posted by Brenda Kinghorn

I would think it highly likely that he went to India with the 2nd Btn, wouldn't you?
Best regards.

I have no doubt, Brenda.

Summing up, discharge in c.1903 would indicate enlistment in 1895 (seven years with the Colours, one year added for foreign service, "for the King" as the saying went) and a number around 4500. Staying in India and taking a job with the railways was not unusual, as described by Frank Richards in Old Soldier Sahib.

John

Norman · 31-12-2011, 10:37

Hi, Happy New Year to All
Is it possible Alfred was in the first world war? On Clarence wedding cert 1924, Alfred is listed as a Sergeant Major RWF. Then on Ians wedding cert 1932, he is listed as a Sergeant Major retired.
Norman

Brenda Kinghorn · 31-12-2011, 11:04

Norman,
He's listed as Sergeant Major on Elizabeth Rollo's death cert as well in 1965ish (I think - from memory).
That might explain Hugh's birth - it would have given Alfred a reason for being back in the UK in 1917/1918.

Brenda

**Baconwallah** · 31-12-2011, 14:18

Hard to say, Norman. The Alfred Davies query in the Medal Index Cards provides 16 x Alfred, Alfred E, Alfred G, 3 x Alfred H, Alfred J, Alfred S, Alfred V. With one or two exceptions, all ended the war as Privates. The exceptions were (Acting) Corporals. I also found 3x A Davies, all transferred in from, or out to, other Regts. Not eligible, I think.

Number-wise about half were Territorials, which is incompatible with coming from India to fight in the war. If that is what he did, as you surmise, there are two possibilities. He either had his old number or he didn't. As the lowest non-TA number is a post-Aug 1914 number, he must have re-enlisted and received a new number if the return theory is correct. From there on it's anybody's guess (again).

John

Norman · 31-12-2011, 14:31

Thanks
For the info John. Have a great New Year.
Norman.

Brenda Kinghorn · 31-12-2011, 15:55

Just unearthed these photos this morning (hopefully they've attached).
Have requested another search for a birth cert for Alfred's son Hugh.
Many thanks to John and AP1 for all your help and advice so far.

Happy new year to you all!

Brenda

**Aled Roberts** · 10-01-2012, 23:37

I was hoping to catch up on quite a few threads this evening after my spell of being AWOL - however, I have spent ages reading through this one!

I have a few ideas, and I am pretty sure that Cr Sgt F Jones on the marriage cert is 4943 Frank Jones. I need to dig out some papers to see if I can help id "our" Alfred Davies.

One key for me please, is trying to get a clearer image of the medal he is sporting in the first picture. Where there is a medal there is a roll :)

Brenda Kinghorn · 11-01-2012, 23:26

Thanks for taking the time to read this thread Richard.
Norman has scanned the original photo high res, so the attachment below is the best we can do I'm afraid.
It would appear that Col Sergt Inst H Jones, who is standing on Alfred's left, is sporting the same medal.
I wonder if he served in China with Alfred?

Looking forward to any comments.

Best regards
Brenda