Gresford Colliery Disaster - RWF Perished

**ap1** · 23-05-2015, 23:57

Gresford Disaster NWMAT. Appreciate it if you can have a look at a few other possibles on there. Mainly guys in uniform with no visible badges…but full names etc.

**Hywyn** · 24-05-2015, 00:14

I'm not hundred percent whether he had an actual 5th Bn number when he enlisted 1915. The number 650 shown there might be his National Reserve number. However, his attestment shows he had previous servicve in 2nd VB RWF so, yes, he makes the list I'd say.

Shall I pitch in on the FB page or are you going to?

**ap1** · 24-05-2015, 00:22

Crack on Hywyn, neither myself or Richard could pin him down.

Many Thanks. Thats 18 found. Potentially 9 to push.

**Hywyn** · 24-05-2015, 00:38

I've put a request in to join. I have no public face on that FB though so they might not accept me. See how it goes. Do you know the admin

That William Henry Taylor was 69288 RWF later 85411 Durham Light Infantry

**Hywyn** · 24-05-2015, 08:18

Thinking about Evan Owens again. He is definitely ex RWF. The 20066 number is a 5th Bn Supernumerary number. Allocated by RWF.

Here's what I have previously written re the Supernumerary numbers:

Re 20xxx numbers.

Last week I started getting to grips with the Supernumerary Coys. These were the ones you will know, that guarded installations eg Marconi Wireless Stations, Bridges, Power stations etc.

So far my conclusions are that all four TF battalions had them.They were mostly National Reserves (TF) men and either had a NR number (5th Bn) or a TF number ( 6th and 7th) Initially known as Defence Coys before complying with army orders regarding forming Supernumerary Coys around May 1915 and renumbered. They were to use numbers staring 20001 (per TF Battalion)

The strength of a Company being around 130 men.

4th Bn had one Coy (highest number found 20155)

5th Bn had one Coy (highest number found 20148)

6th Bn had four Coys (highest number found 20648)

7th Bn had one Coy (Highest number found 20146)

In April 1916 they were transferred to the RDC. There appears to be a pattern emerging of their RDC numbers.

You can therefore see the duplications of 20xxx numbers, especially the lower ones, abound! For each number between 20001 and 20146 there will be 5 men, one in the Regular series and one each for the Supernumeraries of each TF Battalion.(& so on higher up the range to 20648)

**Hywyn** · 24-05-2015, 09:36

Mark Prince 41 Manley Road was 25332 RWF, later 126851 RAF where his do b is shown as 1970!! (He was 44 when enlisting in 1915 though) The FB entry shows aged 50 in 1934. 1901/1911 census shows him born 1875 (whilst Birth Register shows 1874 and Death Register shows 1875. Might the FB entry be a typo for 60? He has a son also called Mark Prince born 1899/1900. Can't find anything about him but all told the Mark Prince in the pit disater is most likely the eldest one.

**Hywyn** · 24-05-2015, 10:00

Re Jabez Jones. Given what is said about him on the FB page, born 1881, collier etc he is very likely to be Jabez Jones RAF 407124 who was previously 7865/200797 RWF (according to MICs, but he had been transferred prior to the 1917 renumbering though)

**Hywyn** · 24-05-2015, 10:08

Re Joseph Henry Gittins, 11 Abenbury Road: The cap badge looks to be Welsh Guards. Very likely (link between two addresses needed) then to be Joseph Henry Gittins 5617 Welsh Guards of 12 Offa Terrace, Ruthin Road. UK Service 1915 to 1918. Nil RWF connection seen.