PBaker
21-10-2006, 6:36 PM
I am researching my grand fathers WW1 war record and would like some suggestions for the next step.
The family story goes that he volunteered too young, (giving up his University Course) went to France and got sent back. He then trained to be an officer, was commissioned, and got back to France. The evidence I have so far supports this to some extent but I would like more solid proof.
Along with his officer cadet exam papers and a few photos I have a copy of a letter dated 10 June 1918 from a Captain L.T.Brook of the O.C.B at Trinity College Cambridge informing him of his Temporary Commision as 2nd Lt Edmund Baker in the Norfolk Regiment. It instructs him to report to the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment stationed at Felixstowe by 12 noon 18th Jan 1918. So he got his commision.
I also have a copy of a letter sent 12th June 1918 to Officer i/c records 4th Battalion East Surrey Regiment requesting the Discharge certificate for Private Edmund Baker no. 38780 of 4th Battalion East Surrey Regiment as he has been appointed to a temporary Commision in the 3rd Batt Norfolks. This is stamped and returned 14 Jun 1918 from the No1 Record Office Hounslow stating that the discharge papers will be issued when the office receives the necessary authority. This proves he was previously enlisted. However, both 3rd Battalion Norfolks and 4th Battalion East Surrey were reserve battalions and didn't go to France.
Now it gets tricky. I cannot get a hit in the National Archives for his name and/or number as a private. Is this unusual? So I cannot prove at this stage he went to France as a Private.
However I can get a hit in the National Archives for his name on the medals register WO/372/1. for the Norfolk Regiment. I have not looked up the roll yet. I would appreciate a hint on the likely number for the roll to request as it is a little illegible. Would it be roll 71 143 Page 171 or is the 71, NR or NF for Norfolk Regiment? However, the form does prove he went to France with the Norfolks. The Theatre of War first served in Box has France with a date of 18/9/18 entered in them.
Strangely there is no recorded regiment number in the Regt No boxes. His Corps (Norf Regt) and rank ( 2/lieut) is recorded in the third line down. the Boxes above are empty.
I understand that you are given a different army number to your old number if your are commsioned from the ranks. So he should have a different number.
This doesn't appear to have been corrected as his issued Victory and Britain medals are also without number, only rank and name.
Any suggestions for further sources of information would be gratefully received with thanks
The family story goes that he volunteered too young, (giving up his University Course) went to France and got sent back. He then trained to be an officer, was commissioned, and got back to France. The evidence I have so far supports this to some extent but I would like more solid proof.
Along with his officer cadet exam papers and a few photos I have a copy of a letter dated 10 June 1918 from a Captain L.T.Brook of the O.C.B at Trinity College Cambridge informing him of his Temporary Commision as 2nd Lt Edmund Baker in the Norfolk Regiment. It instructs him to report to the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment stationed at Felixstowe by 12 noon 18th Jan 1918. So he got his commision.
I also have a copy of a letter sent 12th June 1918 to Officer i/c records 4th Battalion East Surrey Regiment requesting the Discharge certificate for Private Edmund Baker no. 38780 of 4th Battalion East Surrey Regiment as he has been appointed to a temporary Commision in the 3rd Batt Norfolks. This is stamped and returned 14 Jun 1918 from the No1 Record Office Hounslow stating that the discharge papers will be issued when the office receives the necessary authority. This proves he was previously enlisted. However, both 3rd Battalion Norfolks and 4th Battalion East Surrey were reserve battalions and didn't go to France.
Now it gets tricky. I cannot get a hit in the National Archives for his name and/or number as a private. Is this unusual? So I cannot prove at this stage he went to France as a Private.
However I can get a hit in the National Archives for his name on the medals register WO/372/1. for the Norfolk Regiment. I have not looked up the roll yet. I would appreciate a hint on the likely number for the roll to request as it is a little illegible. Would it be roll 71 143 Page 171 or is the 71, NR or NF for Norfolk Regiment? However, the form does prove he went to France with the Norfolks. The Theatre of War first served in Box has France with a date of 18/9/18 entered in them.
Strangely there is no recorded regiment number in the Regt No boxes. His Corps (Norf Regt) and rank ( 2/lieut) is recorded in the third line down. the Boxes above are empty.
I understand that you are given a different army number to your old number if your are commsioned from the ranks. So he should have a different number.
This doesn't appear to have been corrected as his issued Victory and Britain medals are also without number, only rank and name.
Any suggestions for further sources of information would be gratefully received with thanks