3rd or 4th Middlesex - Info on soldier?

[NDRFT]

Hi all

I am trying to find some information about a relative of mine FREDERICK HUNT B 1889 Wealdstone, Middlesex, who was serving in Ypres in July 1915 when he was KIA on 2 July 1915. His nos was SR/6839.

I know he entered France on 11 Nov 1914 and I have found him on the CWGC where it says he was in the 3rd yet his MIC says he was in the 4th.

1. Why would it say he was in 3rd on one record and the 4th on another, which is most likely correct?

2. Does any one know what the regiment were doing end June beginning July please?

3. What does SR in his service number mean?

I am also posting this on Units and Formations as well.

Any help would be most welcome.

Regards

Nigel

[MelPack]

Nigel

SR = Special Reserve

LLt explanation here:

http://www.1914-1918.net/reserve.htm

Mel

[archangel9]

Nigel,

1. Why would it say he was in 3rd on one record and the 4th on another, which is most likely correct?

From -

http://www.1914-1918.net/msex.htm

the 3rd were in India until returning to England in December 1914. The 4th suffered heavy loses at Mons on 23rd August 1914 and I would guess (and a Middlesex expert I am not) that your relative might have been home on leave and drafted to the 4th on 11 Nov 1914? In this case the MIC is correct because he entered theatre of war with the 4th and CWGC is correct because he was a regular with the 3rd. Again I stress I am no expert.

John

[NDRFT]

Mel /John

Thank you both very much most helpfull

Nigel

[MelPack]

Nigel

Your man was the only one killed that day so it is likely to be a shell or a sniper.

Regards

Mel

PS He definitely went to F&F as a draft reinforcement of the 4th Battalion.

[NDRFT]

Hi again Mel

How do you know he was the only one killed that day, do you have the diary?

I have the diary for the 1/7 Middlesex but not the 4th

Nigel

[MelPack]

By checking the SDGW for that date.

Mel

[NDRFT]

Duggh me - of course Ta

[MelPack]

Nigel

Your man would have signed up as a Special Reservist in April/May 1912.

6822 - 8/4/1912

6840 - 7/5/1912

Mel

[NDRFT]

Mel

Excellent, sadly I cant find any records other than his MIC. I do know his parents etc. So as a reservist he would have undergone his basic training then upon the out break of war he would have been called up, more training then off to France?

I so appreciate your help here by the way.

[MelPack]

Yes, six months square bashing at home with the 5th Battalion and then annual camps.

I wish I was in a better position to help you with the 3rd/4th issue. The Middlesex were not like the standard County Regiment where the 3rd was always the reserve battalion and where it would not be unusual to see the SRs as denoted with the same.

Regards

Mel

[archangel9]

Nigel,

Do you have access to the Times on line archive? 6839, Hunt F. is listed under "Killed" in the "Roll of Honour" in the edition of 26th July 1915. He is listed with 7831, Allum A. also of the 3rd Bn. who was killed in action on 30th June 1915.

John

[NDRFT]

HI John

Off to have a look, particularly as it seems to say he was KIA on 26 July and all other records say 2 July. Perhaps 26 was the publication date?

Thank you for the referal.

Nigel

[MelPack]

Nigel

I am fairly well convinced that your man was killed with the 4th Battalion.

If you check out the MICs for the 3rd Battalion casualties up to July 1915, the only ones entitled to the 1914 Star ( meaning they had to be with the 1st, 2nd or 4th Battalion) are your man and S/6835 and S/6566.

All the other casualties are in the L/ and G/ series.

I think that it is a pure transcription error caused by mistaking the S for a G leading to the conclusion that they were with the 3rd and not the 4th.

Regards

Mel

[archangel9]

HI John

Off to have a look, particularly as it seems to say he was KIA on 26 July and all other records say 2 July. Perhaps 26 was the publication date?

Thank you for the referal.

Nigel

Nigel,

The Times edition of the 26th July, it doesn't say when he was killed. Typically the Times published the names a month and sometimes more after the date of death. Mel is correct, your man was killed with the 4th on 2nd July.

John