Thomas Kelly

[sealyp]

In researching a relative, we have got the medal roll card. We knew that he joined the Seaforth Highlanders on 19th may 1915 and served in France, Serial No. S/8497. It then states R.E. Serial No.155790.

Which I am assuming is the Royal Engineers.

As a civilian, he was a Miner in Cumbria. Is it possible that he switched regiments due to his former occupation and worked in Fortification/Defences or Tunneling ?

[Peter J]

Hello Sealyp,

Would it possible to have the man's name at all? I tried a search with the info you supplied but a name would be very helpful.

Cheers,

Peter.

Whoops! Cancel that last comment - I have just realised his name is in the post's title. DERRRRR!

[Peter J]

Are you aware that there are TWO MICs for this man? He certainly ended his days in the Army as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers - discharged sick on 1st April 1919.

PJ

[sealyp]

Any idea why he would have switched ? We have a copy of his 'Short Service' sign up paper and it says, Corps, 10th Seaforth Highlanders !!!

Are you aware that there are TWO MICs for this man? He certainly ended his days in the Army as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers - discharged sick on 1st April 1919.

PJ

[kenf48]

Yes, he joined a tunnelling company

His service record survives and is available to view on Ancestry, there are two sets including his application to transfer from the 8th Bn Seaforth Highlanders when he transferred to the 173rd Tunnelling Coy.R.E. on the 10th January 1916.

He was wounded in the knee by shell fire in October 1918, when he fell into a shell hole while working on a bridge, Earlier that year he transferred to the 4th Tunnelling Coy No 34(?). As a result of his injuries he was discharged from theArmy in April 1919 as no longer physically fit for active service.

There are some very knowledgeable folk on the tunnelling companies on the forum if you include Tunnelling Company' in your title or start a new thread they may give you greater insight

If you are not already a subscriber you can access the record using the free trial or for free using the library edition at your local library. He joined the Seaforth Highlanders as you say, and was posted to the 10th Bn on the 22nd May 1915. He was posted to the 8th Bn on 12th October and sent to France as a replacement see http://www.1914-1918.net/seaforth.htm

He then transferred as above and remained as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers until his discharge. See http://www.1914-1918...tunnelcoyre.htm

Ken

[sealyp]

Many Many thanks

Yes, he joined a tunnelling company

His service record survives and is available to view on Ancestry, there are two sets including his application to transfer from the 8th Bn Seaforth Highlanders when he transferred to the 173rd Tunnelling Coy.R.E. on the 10th January 1916.

He was wounded in the knee by shell fire in October 1918, when he fell into a shell hole while working on a bridge, Earlier that year he transferred to the 4th Tunnelling Coy No 34(?). As a result of his injuries he was discharged from theArmy in April 1919 as no longer physically fit for active service.

There are some very knowledgeable folk on the tunnelling companies on the forum if you include Tunnelling Company' in your title or start a new thread they may give you greater insight

If you are not already a subscriber you can access the record using the free trial or for free using the library edition at your local library. He joined the Seaforth Highlanders as you say, and was posted to the 10th Bn on the 22nd May 1915. He was posted to the 8th Bn on 12th October and sent to France as a replacement see http://www.1914-1918.net/seaforth.htm

He then transferred as above and remained as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers until his discharge. See http://www.1914-1918...tunnelcoyre.htm

Ken

[Peter J]

Sealyp,

If you don't have Ancestry membership, I'd be happy to help if I can.

PM sent

Peter