Some time ago I posted details of my Father-in-Law's Dad who served with the Hants RGA Territorial force (see thread titled "RGA Hants"). My search for details of his service continues as the crucial documents of where he went and when are missing from his service record held at the National Archive and, despite excellent help on here, his movements remain somewhat of a mystery.
I know little about the organisation of things during WW1 and how things proceeded, and therefore I wonder if anyone can enlighten me? Apologies if these questions are obvious. I would like to at least increase my awareness of what his experience MAY have been, as I cannot be sure of exact detail.
He signed up from school on 26/5/15 aged 19. He became a 2nd Lieutenant from 9/6/15, a Lieutenant from 1/6/16 and went to France on 1/8/16. In the Monthly Army lists he is listed with 4 Co Portsmouth. He was injured on 29/5/17 and left from Boulogne on 7/6/17 to return to England. I do not know where he was when injured or what happened, other than that his left foot was "lost" and subsequent infection lead to an above knee amputation later.
What would he have done from signing up to becoming a 2nd Lt? Gunner1 has previously advised that he was in Plymouth prior to sailing for France. How long would he have been in Plymouth and what sort of training/activity would he have done? As a Lt in the RGA I have been told that he would have been responsible for a number of Gunners and a Gun - is that right? - following order of superior officers. I cannot seem to find any detail of him related to a Siege or Heavy Battery to check War diaries - perhaps the info does not/no longer exist, so any information about what he would have needed to do and where and how long etc will help me to understand a bit more. I really have no clue. The fact that a 20 year old from school would have been supporting a team of men and a huge gun seems unreal in these times.
At least with information about what his experience may have been, I may be able to understand more about the man who seems to have been quite remote from his family and did not talk about anything war-related at all. He kept his medals and his cipher (not sure if that is what it is called) from the King on signing up, and wore his uniform to get married and on special occasions; otherwise there seems no documentary evidence of his experiences.
Thanks