948 Rfn William McGrath RIR

[David McCallion]

Hello I have been asked could I get any information on 948 Rfn William McGrath RIR

for an old lady living here whos says this is her father who was also in the homeguard during WW2

thank you in anticipation

Davey

[Jonathan D'Hooghe]

An Ancestry search only reveals the following: David B W McGrath Royal Irish Rifles (2345) also served in Royal Welsh fus and Labour Corps

W McGrath Royal Irish fusiliers (7041210)

W McGrath Royal Irish Rgt. (5/169)

Have you any more positive info?

Jonathan

[David McCallion]

An Ancestry search only reveals the following: David B W McGrath Royal Irish Rifles (2345) also served in Royal Welsh fus and Labour Corps

W McGrath Royal Irish fusiliers (7041210)

W McGrath Royal Irish Rgt. (5/169)

Have you any more positive info?

Jonathan

Hi and thanks Jonathan

i believe lived in belfast hanover street may have been in digs in ballyclare as he possibly served in 12th bn royal irish rifles

lost aleg she says he died in the somme nursing home in belfast

originaly joined up in the uvf and subsequently died in the uvf hospital

thanks

[Jim Strawbridge]

Medal card of McGrath, William

Corps: Royal Irish Rifles

Regiment No: 19/948

Rank: Rifleman

[David McCallion]

Medal card of McGrath, William

Corps: Royal Irish Rifles

Regiment No: 19/948

Rank: Rifleman

Hi Jim

does this mean that he was 19th bn not 12th as she told me

and have you a copy of mic

she said he had 4 medals she could remember when she was younger

cheers davey

[Jonathan D'Hooghe]

I have found him now! His MIC only states the info that you know. Enlisted 17.4.1917 and discharged 11.7.1919 Cause of Discharge Para 392 xvi KR. I am not an expert on Kings Regulations but given that he lost a leg, i suspect that Para 392 xvi was "no longer fit for active service". He was entitled to the British, Victory and SWB medals.

[David McCallion]

Hi Jim

does this mean that he was 19th bn not 12th as she told me

and have you a copy of mic

she said he had 4 medals she could remember when she was younger

cheers davey

her sister has i believe a homeguard side hat and certificate aswell

[David McCallion]

I have found him now! His MIC only states the info that you know. Enlisted 17.4.1917 and discharged 11.7.1919 Cause of Discharge Para 392 xvi KR. I am not an expert on Kings Regulations but given that he lost a leg, i suspect that Para 392 xvi was "no longer fit for active service". He was entitled to the British, Victory and SWB medals.

cheers Jonathan

well i can tell her tomorrow he joined up in 1917

she wouldnt have known that

she said four medals i take it one to be the defence since he was in he homeguard

what is the other one i wonder

cheers davey

[roughdiamond]

I have found him now! His MIC only states the info that you know. Enlisted 17.4.1917 and discharged 11.7.1919 Cause of Discharge Para 392 xvi KR. I am not an expert on Kings Regulations but given that he lost a leg, i suspect that Para 392 xvi was "no longer fit for active service". He was entitled to the British, Victory and SWB medals.

Cause of Discharge

(i) References on enlistment being unsatisfactory

(ii) Having been irregularly enlisted

(iii) Not being likely to become an efficient soldier

(a) Recruit rejected both by medical officer and approving officer

( Recruit passed by medical officer, but rejected by a recruiting

officer stationed away from the headquarters of the recruiting area, or

by approving officer

(c ) Recruit within three months of enlistment considered unfit for service

(cc) Recruits with more than three months service considered unfit for

further military service

(d) Recruit who after having undergone a course of physical training is

recommended by an examining board to be discharged, or in the case

of a mounted corps is unable to ride

(e) Soldier of local battalion abroad considered unlikely to become efficient

(f) Boy, who, on reaching 18 years of age, is considered to be physically

unfit for the ranks

(iv) Having been claimed as an apprentice

(v) Having claimed it on payment of 10/- within three months after his

attestation

(vi) Having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment

(a) Soldier under 17 years of age at date of application for discharge

( Soldier between 17 and 18 years of age at date of application for

discharge

(vii) Having been claimed for wife desertion

(a) By the parish authorities

( By the wife

(viii) Having made false answer on attestation

(ix) Unfitted for the duties of the corps

(x) Having been convicted by the civil power of ___ or of an offence comitted

before enlistment

(xi) For misconduct

(xii) Having been sentenced to penal servitude

(xiii) Having been sentenced to be discharged with ignomony

(xiv) At his own request on payment of ___ under Article 1130 (i), Pay Warrant

(xv) Free, after ___ years service under Article 1130 (ii), Pay Warrant

(xva) Free under Article 1130 (i), Pay Warrant

(xvb) Free. To take up civil employment which cannot be held open

(xvi) No longer physically fit for service

(xviii) At his own request after 18 years service (with a view to pension under

the Pay Warrant)

(xix) For the benefit of the public service after 18 years service (with a view to

pension under the Pay Warrant)

(xx) Inefficiency after 18 years service ( with a view to a pension under the

Pay Warrant)

(xxi) The termination of his ___ period of engagement

(xxii) With less than 21 years service towards engagement, but with 21 or

more years service towards pension

(xxiii) Having claimed discharge after three months notice

(xxiv) Having reached the age for discharge

(xxv) His service being no longer required

(xxvi) At his own request after 21 (or more) years service (with a view to

pension under the Pay Warrant)

(xxvii) After 21 (or more) years qualifying service for pension, and with 5 (or

more) years service as warrant officer (with a view to pension under the

Pay Warrant)

[susanhemmings]

Just to complete for your friend.

[Jim Strawbridge]

Hi Jim

does this mean that he was 19th bn not 12th as she told me

and have you a copy of mic

she said he had 4 medals she could remember when she was younger

cheers davey

Hello Davey, I am sorry but I don't know enough to be able to advise. As you have been told quite specifically the 12th my guess is that he was enlisted into the 12th and then was eventually transferred into the 19th through being unfit for normal duty. Perhaps this battalion was a reserve battalion doing light duties. I expect someone else will come along and be able to help, Jim

with regards to the other medal was he of an age where he could have served and got a QSA or KSA? Or could he have served as a special constable and earned a LSGC medal? Or worked in the civil service as a postman or the like and received a medal from there?

[rob elliott]

Davey,

Would think he joined Rifles in Belfast, posted to the 19th for training then sent to 12th as a reserve as needed, but not a reservist.

Generally the first number shows the initial battalion that the man was posted to.

So an original 12th man would have 12/948 and a man who came through one of the reserve battalion of the Ulster Division 17,18,or19 in front of the service number.

The training battalions were set up to feed the Division's service battalions, so the 19th would support the 14th and 15th.

However this does not seem to have been kept to, probably due to casualty numbers in particular battalions, necessitating the use of the first available trained men.

Think this numbering shows up more with Royal Irish Rifles. Inniskilling reserves don't always show the training battalion number in front of the service number.

Rob