WWI service info for George Fotheringham and Thomas Fotheringham

[michaeldartnell]

Hello,

I am looking for the WWI service records for my grandfather George Fotheringham and his brother Thomas Fotheringham.

George Fotheringham was born in 1893 in Auchtermuchty, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada in 1910, but returned to Scotland to serve in the British army. To my knowledge, he did enlist, but did not serve for very long, likely due to illness.

Thomas Fotheringham was born in Auchtermuchty, Scotland in 1895. According to family information, he served in the British Army from 1916 to 1919.

I would greatly appreciate any and all information about their war service. If I knew in which units they served, it would greatly facilitate my research.

Thank you.

Dr. Michael Dartnell

[dundeesown]

Hi Michael

I think this may be one of your lads.5486 Pte George Fotheringham of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,was not in the Army long and like your man this lad was a Medical discharge in 1916,gave his Residence as Falkirk,

.

pm your email , if you think it`s your man and I`ll send you the other paperwork on him ( not a lot only four or five )

all the best Gary.F

[sotonmate]

MD

There are eight soldiers on the Medal Index Cards file in Ancestry UK with the name Thomas Fotheringham:

S/5635 Royal Highlanders. Date into war theatre France 20.9.1915.Demob 3.5.1919.

S/24986. -ditto- . Into theatre after 1915.

Lieutenant. 51st Gordon H. Lived Aberdeen.Pensioned with Silver War Badge 20.5.1919.

12569. Gordon H. Into theatre after 1915.

260026. Gordon H.and TR2/36072 Highland LI. Into theatre after 1915(possibly 1917).

T4/159686.ASC. Driver. into theatre after 1915.

DM2/168886. ASC. Pte. Into theatre after 1915.

7/3622. Northumberland Fusiliers.Pte. Into war theatre France 19.11.1915. Killed.

You may be able to reduce this down,based on how reliable the years served that you show in your post. You will also know if he was killed or invalided out. There may be other facts possible,such as he was on an Absent Voters List for 1918 for his domicile.

Sotonmate

[michaeldartnell]

Hi Gary,

Yes, I think it's him, based on his declared occupation of "plumber", which is true. His birthplace and birthdate are also accurate. If you have other information about him, I'd be very appreciative.

Best,

michael

Hi Michael

I think this may be one of your lads.5486 Pte George Fotheringham of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,was not in the Army long and like your man this lad was a Medical discharge in 1916,gave his Residence as Falkirk,

.

pm your email , if you think it`s your man and I`ll send you the other paperwork on him ( not a lot only four or five )

all the best Gary.F

[michaeldartnell]

Hi,

I know that Thomas Fotheringham lost a leg in the war so he was invalided after that point. The 1915 dates would seem out of the question. My info is an old family photo of him in uniform (no idea as to which uniform it is) with a note handwritten on the back that states that his service was 1916-19.

Thanks so much.

Sincerely,

michael

MD

There are eight soldiers on the Medal Index Cards file in Ancestry UK with the name Thomas Fotheringham:

S/5635 Royal Highlanders. Date into war theatre France 20.9.1915.Demob 3.5.1919.

S/24986. -ditto- . Into theatre after 1915.

Lieutenant. 51st Gordon H. Lived Aberdeen.Pensioned with Silver War Badge 20.5.1919.

12569. Gordon H. Into theatre after 1915.

260026. Gordon H.and TR2/36072 Highland LI. Into theatre after 1915(possibly 1917).

T4/159686.ASC. Driver. into theatre after 1915.

DM2/168886. ASC. Pte. Into theatre after 1915.

7/3622. Northumberland Fusiliers.Pte. Into war theatre France 19.11.1915. Killed.

You may be able to reduce this down,based on how reliable the years served that you show in your post. You will also know if he was killed or invalided out. There may be other facts possible,such as he was on an Absent Voters List for 1918 for his domicile.

Sotonmate

[sotonmate]

Michael

Should it be the only Officer among the list,also the only one invalided,there is a Personal File at Kew under WO374/25253 for a 2/Lt.T Fotheringham,which went through to 1926 and later another entry in the 1950s. Would your Thomas have died in the 50s?

I will see if I can get to see the file next week.

Sotonmate

[Guest]

Hello,

I am looking for the WWI service records for my grandfather George Fotheringham and his brother Thomas Fotheringham.

George Fotheringham was born in 1893 in Auchtermuchty, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada in 1910, but returned to Scotland to serve in the British army. To my knowledge, he did enlist, but did not serve for very long, likely due to illness.

Thomas Fotheringham was born in Auchtermuchty, Scotland in 1895. According to family information, he served in the British Army from 1916 to 1919.

I would greatly appreciate any and all information about their war service. If I knew in which units they served, it would greatly facilitate my research.

Thank you.

Dr. Michael Dartnell

[Guest]

Hi Michael, James, George and Thomas Fotheringham were my Fathers older half-brothers. I have Family history from the present way back to 1740 which i would love to share with you.

I have been searching for George for years, but lost track of him when he emigrated to Canada.

Came to Canada in July but didn't know where to start.

Waiting to hear from you.

Regards, Kathryn Annir McIntyre Fotheringham

(Married name Baker)

[michaeldartnell]

I am looking for record of Thomas Fotheringham, whom I believe served in the Argylls in World War One. Tom would have lived in Falkirk at the time of enlistment (Mill Flat St.). Tom died in 1969. As I mentioned in my previous messages, I believe that Tom was wounded during the war and lost a leg, but I don't know the exact circumstances. I have some photos that are too big for upload here, but which may give more information. I appreciate any leads or insights.

michael

[alanmackie]

Hi

There is one Silver War Badge record on Ancestry for Thomas Fotheringham.

Regt. No. 12569

Rank. Private

Name. Fotheringham Thomas

Unit discharged from. Gordon Hrs.

Badge No. 263.723

Enlistment. 12-11-15

Discharge. 24-10-17

Cause. A.O.11. of 10/8/17 Par 2

Age. 20y 234d

Whether served overseas. Yes

Dental

[michaeldartnell]

Thanks! I did a calculation and it's not him based on his birthdate (April 8, 1895). He also served in the Argylls.

michael

Hi

There is one Silver War Badge record on Ancestry for Thomas Fotheringham.

Regt. No. 12569

Rank. Private

Name. Fotheringham Thomas

Unit discharged from. Gordon Hrs.

Badge No. 263.723

Enlistment. 12-11-15

Discharge. 24-10-17

Cause. A.O.11. of 10/8/17 Par 2

Age. 20y 234d

Whether served overseas. Yes

Dental

[michaeldartnell]

Here is a photo of Tom Fotheringham in his uniform. I might be missing some details here that could help me further locate him.

michael

Thanks! I did a calculation and it's not him based on his birthdate (April 8, 1895). He also served in the Argylls.

michael

[mctaz]

Two of my ancestor were David & his brother William Fotheringham. They came from Auchtermuchty where I have researched family going back to going back to the 1700's.

As far as I can ascertain at that time (1750-1800) there were three brothers in Auchtermuchty at that time, my connection is through John.

They both lived in Falkirk before the war as there was extended family resident there, and they worked in the Iron Works, they both enlisted in the Black Watch.

[michaeldartnell]

I think they may have had another brother, George, from whom my mother's family came. Please email me at mydartnell@hotmail.com

Two of my ancestor were David & his brother William Fotheringham. They came from Auchtermuchty where I have researched family going back to going back to the 1700's.

As far as I can ascertain at that time (1750-1800) there were three brothers in Auchtermuchty at that time, my connection is through John.

They both lived in Falkirk before the war as there was extended family resident there, and they worked in the Iron Works, they both enlisted in the Black Watch.

[PPCLI]

Hi Michael,

There is a good chance that your Tom Fotheringham might be:

Gordon Highlanders, 260026

Highland Light Infantry, TR2/36072

1. He is named in an official list of wounded in The Scotsman, 7 Sep 1917, p7: Fotheringham, 260026, T. (Falkirk)

2. Men in the 2600** number range served with the 1/5th Gordon Highlanders, but were transferred in from other regiments, including the A&SH

In the territorial renumbering of early 1917, the 5th Gordons were issued the block 240001-265000. The renumbering began at 240001 with men already serving in the battalion, usually the earliest enlistments allocated the lowest numbers in order of date of enlistment. When you see a large jump in the sequence and to a number near the end of the block (in this case 260*** numbers), it usually indicates a bulk transfer of men from other regiments, and often from other regiments' reserve territorial battalions. For Scottish regiments, it was often like for like i.e. highland to highland and lowland to lowland. Therefore, in this case it is likely to be men from 2nd or 3rd line territorial battalions of other highland regiments being transferred to the 1st line Gordons.

In this particular case, all the men with low 2600** numbers have formerly served with the A&SH (4-digit TF numbers).

A&SH Gordons

3557 260021

3855 260022

3874 260024

3*** 260026 Tom Fotheringham

3964 260027

4126 260028

4155 260029

4216 260031

4244 260032

4833 260034

4921 260035

4933 260036

4949 260037

4983 260038

So, 260026 Tom Fotheringham of Falkirk, formerly A&SH. A strong contender?

The WO 364 record of Alexander Malcolm has survived and can used to show possible dates of movement and transfer relevant to Tom:

7 Dec 1915 attested (Derby Scheme)

23 May 1916 mobilised as Private 5307 (renumbered) 277123 2/7th A&SH

25 Feb 1917 embarked Folkestone, disembarked Boulogne

26 Feb 1917 19 Infantry Base Depot, Etaples

10 Mar 1917 transferred to 1/5th Gordon Highlanders, allotted new regt no. 260083

15 Mar 1917 joined battalion in the field

Best wishes,

Stuart

edit: the date of the casualty lists indicates that he was most probably wounded during the Battle of Pilkem Ridge in early August 1917.

[michaeldartnell]

HI Stuart,

Amazing sleuthing you've done. I'm not quite sure what to think as the photos that I have indicate the A&SH without any other references. I am appending two examples to this message as illustrations and for your comments (if any).

michael

Hi Michael,

There is a good chance that your Tom Fotheringham might be:

Gordon Highlanders, 260026

Highland Light Infantry, TR2/36072

1. He is named in an official list of wounded in The Scotsman, 7 Sep 1917, p7: Fotheringham, 260026, T. (Falkirk)

2. Men in the 2600** number range served with the 1/5th Gordon Highlanders, but were transferred in from other regiments, including the A&SH

In the territorial renumbering of early 1917, the 5th Gordons were issued the block 240001-265000. The renumbering began at 240001 with men already serving in the battalion, usually the earliest enlistments allocated the lowest numbers in order of date of enlistment. When you see a large jump in the sequence and to a number near the end of the block (in this case 260*** numbers), it usually indicates a bulk transfer of men from other regiments, and often from other regiments' reserve territorial battalions. For Scottish regiments, it was often like for like i.e. highland to highland and lowland to lowland. Therefore, in this case it is likely to be men from 2nd or 3rd line territorial battalions of other highland regiments being transferred to the 1st line Gordons.

In this particular case, all the men with low 2600** numbers have formerly served with the A&SH (4-digit TF numbers).

A&SH Gordons

3557 260021

3855 260022

3874 260024

3*** 260026 Tom Fotheringham

3964 260027

4126 260028

4155 260029

4216 260031

4244 260032

4833 260034

4921 260035

4933 260036

4949 260037

4983 260038

So, 260026 Tom Fotheringham of Falkirk, formerly A&SH. A strong contender?

The WO 364 record of Alexander Malcolm has survived and can used to show possible dates of movement and transfer relevant to Tom:

7 Dec 1915 attested (Derby Scheme)

23 May 1916 mobilised as Private 5307 (renumbered) 277123 2/7th A&SH

25 Feb 1917 embarked Folkestone, disembarked Boulogne

26 Feb 1917 19 Infantry Base Depot, Etaples

10 Mar 1917 transferred to 1/5th Gordon Highlanders, allotted new regt no. 260083

15 Mar 1917 joined battalion in the field

Best wishes,

Stuart

edit: the date of the casualty lists indicates that he was most probably wounded during the Battle of Pilkem Ridge in early August 1917.

[FiferLou]

I am also related to Fotheringhams  from Auchtermuchty. George Fotheringham 1861-1927 and his father was George before him. 

I think we may have spoken via Muchty Facebook group