A.S.C. unit query

[tony paley]

Hoping someone can clarify this query regarding a deceased soldiers unit. No. S/361913 Pte Charles Frederick Jones is recorded on CWGC site as having died on 31.12.1917. further enquiry showed he died in Connaught Hospital, London and is buried in Worcester. I had hoped to obtain more details re this soldier however his unit is shown as 'C' Company Army Service Corps. It has always been my understanding that ASC. units were generally numbered Companies, which could then determine the role of the unit and perhaps Division or Corps to which it was attached. Clearly a Corps as large as Aly Slopers would rarely use letters. Is it then possible that this soldier was still in training or employed in the Uk. Thanks in anticipation.

Tony P

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[Ron Clifton]

Hello Tony

Transport Companies of the ASC were numbered, and so were the Lines of Communication Supply Companies formed during the war in France, but the pre-war ASC Supply Companies were lettered. C Company was based at Aldershot in 1914 and does not appear ever to have gone abroad as a unit - it is not mentioned in the list in Mike Young's standard reference, The Army Service Corps 1902-1918.

The Connaught Hospital was at Aldershot, not London, which ties in with the location. He may have died of disease or in an accident, rather than through enemy action.

That he was with a supply company is borne out by the S/ prefix to his number. Some supply details were attached to Divisional Trains so it is still possible that he was wounded abroad and shipped home to hospital, being transferred onto the strength of C Company when it became apparent that he was unlikely to be able to return to active service.

Ron

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Have you looked to see if he is on the medal roll? This often records the company.

[sw63]

Hi,

No MIC that I could find - probably no overseas service. Soldiers Died puts him as born & enlisted Worcester

On the GRO Death Index:

Jones, Charles F

27

Hartley W.

2c

225

OND

1917

That puts DOB as 1890.

On the 1901 Census there is only 1 CF Jones born around 1890 in Worcester:

Son of Frederick & Lilia Kate

1901 Census Ref: Class: RG13; Piece: 2777; Folio: 8; Page: 7

Simon

[tony paley]

Thanks for all the help. you have the correct soldier Simon. The query came from his great nephew who has Pte. Jones Great War plaque but no other information. I thought that he may have been based in the UK.

Tony P