Personnel Remaining in Aldershot

[RMF]

Would any member let me know possibly why as many as roughly 70 soldiers of a battalion were left behind in Aldershot in 1915 after 981 officers and other ranks of this same battalion left for France? I believe some of these 70 or so soldiers joined their battalion in France some time later. What might have been the reasons why they did not leave with the main body of their battalion when it left?

Bob

[Ron Clifton]

Hello Bob

There could be a number of reasons. The most likely is that they formed the "first reinforcement" which usually, but not always, accompanied the battalion abroad but remained at a base such as Etaples until the men were needed to replace casualties.

They could have been under 19 years old, and hence originally not llikelyy to be sent abroad.

They could have been ill in hospital.

What kind of a battalion was it - Regular, Territorial or Kitchener/New Armies? And when did the main body go to France?

Ron

[RMF]

Hello Bob

There could be a number of reasons. The most likely is that they formed the "first reinforcement" which usually, but not always, accompanied the battalion abroad but remained at a base such as Etaples until the men were needed to replace casualties.

They could have been under 19 years old, and hence originally not llikelyy to be sent abroad.

They could have been ill in hospital.

What kind of a battalion was it - Regular, Territorial or Kitchener/New Armies? And when did the main body go to France?

Ron

Ron:

Thank you for your reply.

The battalion was a Service Battalion which I expect makes it a Kitchener or New Army Battalion. The main body left for France from Aldershot on December 15, 1915.

Bob

[Ron Clifton]

Bob

Yes, a Service bn was part of the New Armies.

This fact and the date suggests that the battalion was unlikely to require its first reinforcement in the short term, and they could therefore be left initially in the UK. If nothing else, the men left behind could enjoy Christmas and New Year at home!

Ron

[RMF]

Bob

Yes, a Service bn was part of the New Armies.

This fact and the date suggests that the battalion was unlikely to require its first reinforcement in the short term, and they could therefore be left initially in the UK. If nothing else, the men left behind could enjoy Christmas and New Year at home!

Ron

Ron:

Thank you for this. My father was one of those who appear to have been left behind in Aldershot. The significance here is that while he appears to have lost out by a few days on the 1914/15 Star he may have had a good Christmas and New Year at home! The last Christmas and New Year at home for the next two or three years I imagine.

Bob