Hereford Regt

[Caryl Gill]

Hi can anyone throw any light on this quandry for me

From 1917 my grandfather was in the Machine Gun Corps, but he had an ASC cap badge, and the bottom half of a shell with an ASC button welded into it. I sent for his marriege certificate (1916) - this states 'Private 3rd Line Herefords Civilian Transport' - can anyone throw any light on why the army had civilian transport. I've sort of assumed that when they were looking for men classified as 'A' to fill into decimated regiments, they took them from wherever, so I assume that my grandfather was one of these and got drafted into the ASC, but am now wondering what he was doing in 1916, hope someone can help. By the way he survived the war, but ended up in hospital twice, and although I have a picture of him in hospital I've no idea where he was, as he would never talk about the war

Caryl

[peter nicholl]

Hi Caryl
I think the answer might be what was missing from the Marriage Certificate. I don't it was a case of a "Civilian Soldier", but more a case of "Driver of requisitioned Civilian Transport". Probably an Ole Bill type of General Omnibus London Double Decker Bus. They were used a lot to ferry troops and that would also have a tie in with the ASC. If you Google "wfa,ole bill", it shows a number of shots of the buses. Also, go to the bottom of the thumbnails and there is a photo of a Vickers Machinegun Crew.
Hope it helps.
Peter

[Caryl Gill]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the info - will have a llok for the 'ole Bill on google

thanks again, all leads are welcome with this one.

I tried Kew, but he's in the Burnt records - not retrievable bit. So I've spent 2 years puzzling over this bit

Thanks again

Caryl