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    Nutlet

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    Posts posted by Nutlet

    1. My search continues for details of my Father-in-Law's Dad, (see  post Hants RGA) however I think I have narrowed things down a bit.

      I have read the War Diaries available at the National Archive for 43rd Brigade and 147th Siege Battery (WO95/321/5 and WO95/321/7) which he may be in, but note that the detailed diary only goes from August 1916 (when they went to France) until Dec 1916. The Brigade (as part of the Battery) continued into 1917 and 1918 but there seems to be no detailed war diary for the period after Dec1916 and I am wondering if anyone knows why. Is it likely to have been destroyed or was it amalgamated with something else and would be written under a different Brigade or Battery number?

      I have searched various websites for this information but can see no obvious reason, other than perhaps those mentioned above.

      All suggestions welcome!

    2. 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

    3. Hello Tony

      Unfortunately, when I applied for his service record, there was no sign of any documentation stating who he served with, only that he left for active service on 1st August. I have pretty much drawn a blank in finding out where he was and am now somewhat clutching at straws. I suspect that the rest of his records were destroyed in the WWII activity, but thought that if I could find something about the 139th/140th there may be some clues that would link him to them.

      Thank you for the info above though; it would have been him as he went to Dover hospital following his return to England after being wounded and remained in the area for some years, working in the RGA record office. Ironic, therefore, that his own record is now incomplete

      My father in law is 85 this year and asked me again the other day if I had found anything else. He has not given up hope that the information is there somewhere, and so I thought I would post again and try this avenue.

      I wonder if there is any benefit in my going to Kew and having a search myself.......

    4. I have been looking through endless internet searches for more clues to telling his story.

      I have found a list of the various batteries in the Royal Garrison Artillery and the dates that they first went overseas. As my Grandfather in law went to France on 1st August 1916 and the 139th and 140th siege battery left on that day, I am optimistically wondering if he was in one of these units.

      I cannot find any information regarding where these units went and when - living memory recalls tales of Messines and Vimy as previously mentioned.

      I am hoping that somewhere there is a diary which will mention something happening on the date that he was wounded which will link in to verify something.

      Any help or pointers on this would be grateful.

      Many thanks

    5. Hi Gunner 1

      I have looked at the medal index card and have no idea how what is there relates to what you wrote, hence I feel somewhat ill-equipped to identify what may be useful in the stuff I have.

      I have looked and looked and there is no Casualty form. There are 29 pages from Kew and lots of them seem to be memos or admin notes, but as I said there may be info on them and I just don't know what to look for.

      I will message you the link in case you want to have a look through all the pages. Is it possible Kew missed something or could the Casualty form be held somewhere else with something else? It is strange that he is not appearing on the lists you have.....

      Thank you for your help.

      Nutlet

    6. Thank you Gunner 1.

      I applied to Kew for all they had and there was no Casualty listing, no mention of any Battery, only 2/7th Company. There is an Arrival report which has "9/Artillery N/67" in the top left-hand corner which I have attached. Not sure if this is of any help.

      Another letter he wrote requesting his medals says he was injured on May 29th 1917 (rather than just left the field of battle) and the story he told is as written above, indicating that he was treated in the field hospital before he left for England....

      I was expecting some kind of memo or note to say what happened, but Kew have not sent that and my request was for everything about him and any info on the injury.

      However just the info you have supplied above is fascinating. I will have another look through all the bits I have to see if anything indicates another number.

       

      17 (16).jpg

    7. Hello - can anyone help?

      My father-in-law is desperate to find out more about his Dad's service in WWI. He has said he wants to know before he passes on and he is 84 so we are trying hard for him!

      I have applied to Kew for his service history and it gives some info but not much detail.

      He was a 2nd lieut in the Royal Garrison Artillery Hants 2/7th company based in Southampton. He went to Belgium and was injured on May 29th 1917 having his foot shot off, which was later amputated in a field hospital before returning to Dover and having more of his leg removed over here. In that hospital he met his future wife who nursed him.

      We know bits and bobs but I would like to know where he went and which battles he was involved in (or could have been).

      I've done lots of family tree research but never military stuff and I am stick to know where to look now to find out where he was. Messines Ridge and Vimy Ridge has been mentioned, but we aren't sure if that is where he went or was just mentioned afterwards. Those who are interested now were either too small to ask or can't remember what was said......

      Can anyone help please? He was called George Frederick Nuthall (Service number NW/7/9568) born 13/3/1896.)

      Thank you

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