Royal Field Artillary

[Eviand]

|help|Hi, I'm completely new to military research.

I have an ARMY RESERVE ATTESTATION OF MATTHEW RICHARDS (Reg. No.35979). Within this document I know that he had just completed his military service in the ROYAL FIELD ARTILLARY. He enlisted on 10 Apr 1899, Reg. No.34632 until completing his service on 25 Sept 1914. The attestation shows that he then signed to one year's service as a special reservists.

He saw 5yrs 9mths service in India and 1yr 10mths service in South Africa.

He was certainly in South Africa in Mar 1900 because he sustained an injury when his right hand jammed between the gun wheels going into action.

How or where would I go to find out more of his service record particularly his foreign service record?

[Peter Goodey]

I'm afraid 1914 may mean that we're into the difficult period when many records went up in smoke.

What was the source of the papers you have? (I mean the National Archives reference)

[Eviand]

I obtained six papers from Ancestry.co.uk from the section "WWI Pension Records 1914-1920".

[Peter Goodey]

"WWI Pension Records 1914-1920".

WO 364

For information, please see the National Archives Research Guide
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=18

I'm afraid that if you couldn't find what you want in WO 364, I can't think of anywhere else it might be productive to look.

[Eviand]

For information, please see the National Archives Research Guide
Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[Peter Goodey]

I've only had time for a quick look at the documents but I'm not convinced about the interpretation. Perhaps you might like to check yourself but I think he may have been discharged (for the first time) earlier than you said. I stand to be corrected there but I'm pushed for time at the moment.

If so, that would make it worthwhile searching WO 97 covering 1900-1913.

See the research guide
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=14