111 rwf

[ap1]

John T mentioned this earlier. Might it not be just 3 RWF….with the registrar choosing to write the Bn number that way.

[Baconwallah]

As a Territorial or as a Special Reservist would he have HAD to have been living in the area that he enlisted in. In other words could he have enlisted in Welshpool in 1903 then moved away and perhaps turned up once a year to be marked present?

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.

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

[Baconwallah]

Here's another one of interest. In William's records, there is a suggestion that he was found dead and buried in the trenches by his comrades, one of whom was Private P Regan. His no. looks like 1159 or 4459 or 1459 or 4159. IS there such a person?

Regan, Patrick, 4459 Pte

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

[Baconwallah]

John T mentioned this earlier. Might it not be just 3 RWF….with the registrar choosing to write the Bn number that way.

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.

John

[John Turner]

High V then

[Taff Wrexham]

High V then

Nooooo William was 1st Batallion.

[John Turner]

Aw nuts! Back to the drawing board.

[Hywyn]

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"

[Taff Wrexham]

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?

[ap1]

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.

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.