Looking for John Harvey 17th London battalion and 16th battlion yorks

[GrandadH]

Hello all from a complete novice !

I will start off by apologising if I am asking my question incorrectly or in the wrong forum.

I do have some of my Granddad's war record from Ancestry.

My Granddad John Harvey started WW1 in the 17th London battalion, and as far as I know he transferred to the 16th battalion York's and Lancaster regiment on 8th August 1916.

I just wondered why the transfer would have taken place ?

Also I know this is a very long shot but would there be any photos of a private like my Granddad anywhere ?

(I only have one photo of him taken in the early forties)

I suppose I am trying to put some 'meat on the bones' regarding my Granddads WW1 record.

Kind regards and thanks in advance John Harvey

[The Inspector]

Hi Ted1

Welcome to the forum, Can you tell us his service numbers, it will save a lot of time. Any other info. re family , addresses etc. Then sit back and prepare to be amazed at the depth of knowledge on this forum

Regards Barry

[GrandadH]

Thanks very Much for your reply Barry.

His name was John Harvey......Born 12th March 1888

Lived at 28 Medland Street Ratcliff. (listed on Ancestry.co.uk as Midland Street)

Sometimes address is listed as number 24. ?

His 16th battalion York's and Lancaster number is 36534

His 17th London battalion number is 3481

I also have a regimental number of 29584.

Kind regards......John Harvey

[grantowi]

John,

Had a look on TNA, but can seem to match up any of those numbers to a John HARVEY

Grant

[Roger Thompson]

Hi John,

A quick look at the Battalion Histories fot the 16th York and Lancaster Regimentis, 16th Batt(Transport Workers), formed at Colsterdale March 1916, moved to Durham Dec 1916, then to Catterick Nov 1917 where it remained.

The 17th Batt(County of London) London Regiment(Poplar and Stepney Rifles), where part of the 56th Division TF anf faught in France through out.

I havn't looked for his papers as of yet to see why or how he was transferred.

Cheers Roger.

[The Inspector]

Hi Ted1 and all

1901 census, his full name is John Henry Harvey, parents Thomas and Elizabeth. born Ratcliff, London.

Regards Barry

[Roger Thompson]

Hi again John,

I have had a look at his records. He was attested to the 17th London Regiment 8/2/1915 and his job was a Dock Worker.

I can't see when exactley he was transferred to the 16th York and Lancaster Regiment but as I have said earlier they where Transport Workers and being based up in the North East it looks like he was posted to the docks there as there are 2 occassions that he went absent from work once in Middlesboro and once in Redcar, and this is supported by his wifes death certificate where it gives his Regiment and number and also in brackets what he was doing(Coal Porter).

He served all his time in England, thats why he had no medal entitlements and thats why I couldn't originally find him, no MIC for him.

He served from 8/2/1915 to 4/4/1919 making 4years and 56 days.

Cheers Roger.

[GrandadH]

Hi again John,

He served all his time in England, thats why he had no medal entitlements and thats why I couldn't originally find him, no MIC for him.

Cheers Roger.

Thanks to everyone for your replies so far.

Why would he spend all his time in the UK ?

Also I wonder why he changed regiments ?

Kind regards John Harvey

PS Is there a page for abbreviations ?

[grantowi]

Sorry John,

TNA - The National Archive - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...line/medals.asp

MiC - Medal Index Card - gives a chaps regiments and numbers, medals awarded and when first entered theatre of war. If a chap is invalid out it will have his SWB roll number on and sometime if lucky an address on the reverse.

SWB - Sivler war Badge, given to men invalided out of the service, to prevent them being heckled and given white feathers

Grant

[GrandadH]

Thanks Grant.

Kind regards......John

[Roger Thompson]

Hi there John, must apologise for using abreviations to a newbie, we where all there once.

Here goes, on second reading of his records, with signing on for the Territorials on the 8/2/1915 and because of his occupation Dock Labourer I have a feeling that he was doing war work at the docks although still a soldier of the 17th Battalion, London Regiment.

The 17th Battalion the London Regiment didn't go to France until 10/3/1915 and landed at Le Havre, and he joined the 17th on the 8/2/1915, not enough time to train him up.

I have now found that he was posted to the 16th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment on the 8/8/1916 at Colsterdale and hence forth to Middlesborough and Redcar probably in the Docks as per death certificate of his wife.

I hope this helps a little in your research.

Cheers Roger.

[GrandadH]

Hi All, I know thi is an old thread of mine....

Thanks very much Roger and everyone.

Looks like he was arrested by an MP at one point but I cant decipher the wording to find out why ?

I am a bit disappointed to find out that Grandad spent the entire war in England and wasn't overseas 'doing his bit'.

Should I be ?

Perhaps if he did I wouldn't be here !

Initially I was proud to find out that Grandad was in the forces during WW1, but now I have mixed emotions.

Why was his join up so late as to stop him going overseas, and why wasn't he trained up and sent overseas later in the war ?

Kind regards John