gdawson Posted 17 March , 2009 Share Posted 17 March , 2009 I'm trying to find some information about my late Great-Uncle: Stanley Alfred Dawson Rifleman 48999. 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. Formerly 13/78320 53rd T.R. Battalion. Killed in action in France & Flanders on 1st November 1918. Aged 18. Born and lived Swaffham. Enlisted Whitehall, Middlesex. Son of Eliza Anne Dawson, of Gordon Terrace, London St. , Swaffham, Norfolk, and the late Albert W. Dawson. Buried: Preseau Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Ref. C. 28. I've read an excellent account on this forum of the action that he died in at Preseau. Is there any way to find out which company he was a part of to narrow down his involvement and potentially find out how he may have died? Is there any significance to his enlistment at Whitehall or was that a function of his being in a Training Reserve Battalion? Thanks, Greg D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 18 March , 2009 Share Posted 18 March , 2009 Hi Greg, Unfortunately the war diaries of the regular battalions of the RB are not exactly personnel friendly although quite good technically, especially the 1st RB's diary where the appendices are good. I do not know if there was more material in them to start with unfortunately, but some of the service battalions personnel records are very good. As you have shown, the number sequence that your relation falls among denotes transfers from other units and the Training Reserve. I have a few named pictures of the 51st, 52nd & 53rd Rifle Brigade, unfortunately your relations names does not appear on any of these and I cannot find a record for him. Sorry that I can not be of more help in this case but find attached his Medal Roll. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdawson Posted 18 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 18 March , 2009 Many thanks, Andy, if I'm not mistaken it was your description of the action around Preseau that I came across that gave such detail to my great-uncle's last days. I can't thank you enough! Regards, Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 18 March , 2009 Share Posted 18 March , 2009 Hi Greg, Yes, I think that it was, sorry that the 1st RB records cannot help you a little more. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdawson Posted 19 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Andy, What resources are available to trace the troop movements of the 1st Battalion during 1917-18, and how can I get a hold of them? Regards, Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 19 March , 2009 Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Greg, The battalion war diary will tell you the movements of the battalion. This is held at Kew under the document number WO95/1496 and available as a digital download from the National Archives website, although this covers only to December 1917. The war diary for 1918 you will have to visit and photograph, but be warned it is a mess, all mixed up and a nightmare to put back in some semblance of order. I have tried but it is a major job as a lot of the documents are not numbered or have no reference on them. I have photographed a lot of the papers for 1918 and am, several months later, still trying to piece some if it together when time permits. However I do have the diary up to 12/1917 and bits of 1918 put together, so when you reach the 10 posts mark you can send me a personal message with your e-mail address on and I can send this to you. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdawson Posted 19 March , 2009 Author Share Posted 19 March , 2009 Many thanks, you're help is very much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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