James Pooler (Royal Field Artillery)

[gethn]

Hi

I'm trying to trace my Great Grandfather James Pooler 148355 who served with the Royal Field Artillery during the war.

James was born in Kemberton, Shropshire about 1891-92.

All I know from my grandmother was that James joined up in 1915/16 and saw action in the Somme 1916, Ypres 1917, ? where in 1918 and returned home in 1919. She also mentioned that James was near the Hooge sector when it was blown up by the Allies.

I have looked at service records on Ancestry and unfortunately his records have not survived. In the medal index he is shown as a Driver. James was a Chauffer during the pre-war years in Wolverhampton

Please can anybody tell me which Royal Field Artillery were in the Somme in 1916, Ypres 1917. I would also like to find out what a driver in the RFA did, ? did he drive.

Do the RFA have any regimental histories that I can look at.

Any Info, would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

Geth

[pw643]

Geth

I would suggest a look at the LLT link at the top and view the Artillery on there. A look through my database does not show any similarities with casualties with similar numbers. There are so many RFA units that served at the places you mentioned and too many possibilities just to make a guess.

Regards

Paul

[sotonmate]

Geth

There were dozens,if not hundreds,of RFA units in all those large Battle places you posted ! The sad thing is that even the original Medal Rolls tended not to show a unit for the Artillery. I have looked at your subject's Medal Index Card and can say that he entered a war theatre after Dec 1915, this means that as he wasn't entitled to a 1914-15 Star we don't even have a date on the MIC that he first entered Theatre which sometimes narrows down the Division he might have sailed with.

I can only suggest that you seek the Absent Voters List 1918 for the atrea of his home,where it might show the unit he was serving in at that time.

Driver (of a vehicle) could also mean handler of horse transport,viz.controller of a team of horses pulling a gun carriage or limber.

Sotonmate

[gethn]

Hi Sotonmate and Paul

Cheers for the info.

thanks

geth