Gilbert Henry Bellinger - which battalion?

[Angelatanner]

Hi All,
I'm a newbie :-). I need some assistance with trying to find out what batallion my great-grandfather was in. He joined (The Kings) Shropshire Light Infantry on 1st Dec 1916 after two years out of service (not sure why yet).

Name: Gilbert Henry Bellinger
Service No: 17195
Rank: Private

I have his medal card and roll of entitlement listing but neither of these show the batallion.

Can anyone please be of assistance. Many many thanks

[Peter Goodey]

This should really be in a new thread but why do you say "two years out of service" when the medal index card shows a disembarkation date of 16/8/14?

[Angelatanner]

Hi Peter,
I have the same date on his medal card which says 'date of entry' .
We know from our research that he joined the Queen's Bays when they left Aldershot around 14th August, sailing on the SS Minneapolis.
We have been told also that at some point in the November of that year he seems to have been sent home (although no information available to say why), he re-entered 1st December 1916 this time into the Shropshire Light Infantry
I also have the following information:
Enlisted: 21st August 1913 at Aldershot aged 18 years and five months.
Discharged: 20th August 1933 (from the Reserves), Discharged in Canterbury

[Pam Downes]

Hi Angelatanner,

Welcome to British-Genealogy.

As Peter suggested, I've moved your query about Henry to its own thread.

Pam

[Angelatanner]

Thanks Pam,
I notice I spelt his middle name wrong! Duh

[Pam Downes]

Thanks Pam,
I notice I spelt his middle name wrong! Duh

That wasn't you, it was me. For some reason I nearly always type Henery instead of Henry. I thought I'd corrected it before I moved your post, but hadn't done.
I have done now though.

Pam

[Angelatanner]

Ah okies I hadn't realised. I've popped in on the newbies thread and said hi and given a bit of my background.

[Angelatanner]

Hi Peter,
My partner has just sent the following information...........

We found evidence suggesting he returned to the UK in November 1914 with no evidence of a return to a theatre of war until he is with the Shropshire's. It seems likely he was allocated his Shropshire's service number on 1/12/16, which also seems to be the day he re-entered a theatre of war. None of the online war diaries show the a Shropshire battalion receiving a draft of men that day.

He would have been service, he just doesn't seem to have been in a theatre of war.

[christanel]

Welcome to the British-Genealogy forums Angelatanner

Enlisted: 21st August 1913 at Aldershot aged 18 years and five months.
Discharged: 20th August 1933 (from the Reserves), Discharged in Canterbury

It is my understanding that the MoD still holds the records of those who served in WW1 and after the year 1920

If this is so (and I am sure someone will correct this if I am wrong ) then you can apply for the records at a cost of 30 pounds. You will also need a death certificate. This 'sticky' explains who can apply and give links to download the application forms.

Christina

[Pam Downes]

Hi Peter,
Enlisted: 21st August 1913 at Aldershot aged 18 years and five months.
Discharged: 20th August 1933 (from the Reserves), Discharged in Canterbury

It is my understanding that the MoD still holds the records of those who served in WW1 and after the year 1920
Christina

Do you think that might include people in the Reserves though?

Angela - if no-one on the forum can supply a definite answer to that question, I would suggest that you contact the Army Historical Documents office before sending them any money.
Incidentally, does Gilbert's age on entry in 1913 tally with his actual age, or was he sent home because he lied about his age?

Pam