Confused

[Davran]

Whilst looking for something else on Ancestry, I decided to see whether I could find out about my husband's godfather's (Gerald Victor Christopher SMITH!) WW1 records. I was fortunate enough to come across his service record, which states he enlisted in the 173rd (E Ham) Brigade RFA on 28/5/1915 - age 25. So far so good.

There is then an entry which says he was discharged by special war office letter dated 29/7/1915 19/Artillery/1941/AG2B. Underneath this there is another entry dated 7/9/15 - discharged with a view to reenlistment into H? Arty Coy. Can anyone tell me what all this means, please?

The godfather has a funny old story. According to family lore, he was brought home from WW1 by hubby's grandfather and lived with the family until his death in 1980. Now grandfather was 37 in 1914, so seems an unlikely recruit and godfather's address in 1915 was the family home! Godfather was allegedly an orphan and looked after by a vicar and his wife, who mistreated him. This is corroborated by the service record, which gives next of kin as a foster father who is a Rev.

[ChrisKelly]

I think Arty Coy is perhaps an abbreviation for Artillery Corps or Company. The 'H' is maybe How for Howitzer?

[Davran]

Thanks, Chris. I had guessed the Arty Coy bit, but the H was not clear until you suggested How, which exactly what it looks like! Any ideas about the special war office letter? Was this normally how people transferred from one unit to another?

[Alan Welsford]

I've been looking through quite a few of these WW1 service records.

I've seen any number of ones where people transfer between various units, battalions, or whatever.

I can't ever recall having seen anyone discharged so they can be re-enlisted.

Generally the record and the period of service just continues on.

I'm intrigued by your case, and will be interested on what the military historians come up with.

I assume if he was a SMITH you have found him in the "unburnt", i.e. "pensions", records ? I say this because the "burnt" document collection still only runs up to surnames starting 'C', (with a few misfiled ones beyond that).

Alan

[margarita]

Could it be The Honourable Artillery Company?

I'm sorry I know nothing about it. But Google brings up many links.

margarita

[Peter_uk_can]

I would go for the Heavy Artillery Company.

Artillery comes in Heavy and Light versions. With RFA being the Royal Field Artillery.

They all go bang and shoot things but there are quite a variety of types and names.

[Davran]

I assume if he was a SMITH you have found him in the "unburnt", i.e. "pensions", records ? I say this because the "burnt" document collection still only runs up to surnames starting 'C', (with a few misfiled ones beyond that).

Alan

Yes, it was the pensions records. It appears to be the only record of his service available. According to hubby he served throughout the war.

I haven't done any WW1 research before - my own family were the wrong age/occupations - so can someone tell me what 19/Artillery/1941/AG2B means, please? I assume the 2B means 2nd Batallion, but would this be part of his original service in the 173rd E Ham Brigade or would this be the new "Arty Coy"?

[Terry Reeves]

Margarita has it right, it is the Honourable Artillery Company. It is confirmed by his Medal Index Card here:

http://tinyurl.com/ytz6rm

Terry Reeves

[Davran]

Thank you, Terry. I tried the TNA, but didn't spot it :o ! I've also just had a look on Ancestry to see if it was there, but for some reason it doesn't come up :mad:.

[Alan Welsford]

Thank you, Terry. I tried the TNA, but didn't spot it :o ! I've also just had a look on Ancestry to see if it was there, but for some reason it doesn't come up :mad:.

As I understand it the situation with WW1 Medal Cards on A******y is the same as for the "WW1 Army Service Records" (the "Burnt Documents").

Both are being rolled out alphabetically by surname.

Unless something has moved since yesterday, the current situation is....

WW1 Army Service Records - Only surnames commencing 'A' to 'C'
WW1 Medal Cards - Only surnames commencing 'A' to 'C'
WW1 Army "Pensions" Records - All Surnames

Alan

[Davran]

OK, thanks Alan.

[Terry Reeves]

With reference to the War Office letter "29/7/1915 19/Artillery/1941/AG2B". AG2b was the branch of the Adjutant General's Department which dealt with recruiting, discharges and transfers prior to July 1917 when there was a re-organisation in the department.

Terry Reeves

[Davran]

Thanks Terry