Why 2 regimental numbers ?

[Sean Thornton]

On the WW1 medal card for my great uncle, Frederick Arthur Tottem, it shows he belonged to RFA but with 2 regimental numbers (2476 & 970563).

Can anyone please advise why this should be ?

And whilst on the topic of medal cards does anyone know of a guide to the heiroglyphics (?) in the 'Remarks' panel ?

It would appear that Frederick's Victory medal was issued on 31.08.22 and his British medal re-issued on 8.12.22 (could he have lost it ?)

All a bit of a mystery to me.

Thanks

[squirrel]

Could be that he was in a TF unit. They all renumbered to 6 figure numbers in 1917.

If you can post the MIC it would probaly help to decipher the remarks although it may be that the BWM was returned for adjustment, wrong name/Regt spelling or suchlike, and that is why it was reissued.

[John_Hartley]

A thread from some three years back, started by Kondoa, indicates that 970563 is a "new" Territorial number - one he lists as being associated with 47th Divisional Ammunition Column/ 2nd London.

[Sean Thornton]

Squirrel, Here's hopefully 1 picture of the top part of his medal card. It's cropped to get under the 100K barrier.

If this is successful I'll attach athe other part to another post

And here's the lower part

[squirrel]

Thanks for the scan - the BWM was returned for adjustment as the rank was incorrect

[Sean Thornton]

Squirrel & John,

Thanks for your help.

If the medal rank was wrong does this tie in with his rank being Gnr (gunner) and then this being crossed out on his MIC. If so have you any idea what the replacement heiroglyphic means ?

Thanks

[Rockdoc]

I'm not sure about the first letter but I read the last three as Bdr, short for Bombardier. In WW1 this was the equivalent of a Lance Corporal in the Infantry, although it changed later, while Gunner was equivalent to Private. It looks as if the clerk writing his MIC got the rank wrong and that it was corrected after your man had returned the medal with the wrong engraving. I really can't make up my mind about the first letter. It could be Y, T or F, to me, but I can't think of anything that would go with Bombardier and make sense. It can't be L for Lance as there wasn't such a rank and I'm certain it isn't A for Acting but I am sure that other Pals will be along to clarify matters.

Edit On further reflection it could be F for Farrier but I have no idea whether men in the specialist wings of the Army had their ranks recorded differently to the average Tommy.

Keith

[SteveE]

I'm certain it isn't A for Acting

If it helps, I am certain it is A for Acting a/Bdr

Steve

[Sean Thornton]

Thanks for all your help regarding what Frederick's two regimental numbers may mean.

I've now visited the national archives and confirmed that his Service Record does not exist so I've no clue as to WHY he was reassigned/transferred to territorial force. Can anyone advise me ?

I've also looked at his Medal Roll entry and notice:-

- Against his original number (2476) he was a 'Gnr' and then amended to be a/Bd (acting bombardier).

- Against his new number (970563) he was also a 'Gnr' and then amended to L/Bd (Lance Bombardier ?)

Presumably promotion material ?

- In the "remarks" column - "DISC 12/10/18" - do I take it that this means 'discharged' ? If so it seems a might early though our family memory is that he was wounded in or otherwise scarred by the war - but no other detail.

All help gratefully received

Thanks

[MelPack]

Sean

Both service numbers are TF RFA. The six figure number confirms that your man was with the 47th DAC/ 2nd London at least in February 1917.

The Division Ammunition Column were allocated the block of 970001-975000 in the renumbering exercise.

Regards

Mel