Frank Batchelor / RFA

[andb]

Hi, I'm currently researching my family tree and have found out that quite a few relatives served in the First World War (3 so far) and so far I have some details for my 1st cousin 3 times removed. His name was Frank Batchelor and was born in Pancras, Middx in 1897.

From looking through the records that I have downloaded from Ancestry.com, it appears that he signed up on the 21/Jun/1915 and joined the 1st London royal Field Artillery. His initial regimental number was 2276 and he was a Driver. Later on his regimental number changed to 926061 and with this number he was a Gunner.

At the time of him joining up, he lived at 7 Pheonix Buildings, St. Pancras, Middx

Looking through his service record I have found the following information, but it is somtimes hard to read due to poor scanning etc:

1) 3 / 1st London Bde RFA - attested / embodied, Driver 21/Jun/1915

2) 1 / 1st Bde RFA - transferred, Driver 11/Dec/1915

3) 3 / 280 Bde - Posted, Driver 18/Feb/1917

4) 4 Depot (F.F.) - Posted, Driver 3 or 4 /May/1917

5) B / 4 Res Bde F.A. - Posted, Gunner */Oct/1917

6) B / 4 Res Bde - Muster, Gunner 10/Nov/1917

7) H.F. (France) - Posted, Gunner 13/Dec/1917

8) Bde 56 Bty - Posted, Gunner 21/Dec/1917

9) ?? France - Posted, Gunner 26/May/1918

I have also found his Medal Rolls Index card and it lists the medals awarded as follows:

1) Victory - Roll = RFA 162BTF, Page = 12606

2) British - as above for Roll and Page

3) Star (15) - Roll = T/RFA/4AVB, Page = 437

Other details that I have for his service are:

1) BEF 21/Jun/1915 ~ 12/Dec/1915

2) Home 4/May/1917 ~ 12/Dec/1917; I believe he may have been injured or suffering from shock as I have found a couple of references to hospitals in the UK as Royal Vixtoria Hosptial in Tetlyey and Lords Derby's **** Hospital in Warrington

3) France 13/Dec/1917 ~ 4/Jun/1919

As a newbie looking for information, I am currently struggling so I was wondering if there was anyone kind enough to give me some advise on how to trace when my relative saw active service etc. Also I live fairly close to where the National Archives in Kew gardens is located so I was wondering if it is worht travelling there to review the Medal Rolls (WO 372) files?

Last but not least, my maternal grandfather served in the first World War and his name is joseph Alfred Smith. We believe he signed up underage at 16 at the outbreak of the war and so far I have been unable to find anything on him. He was born in Pancras, Middx and his true date of birth was 25/Feb/1898. any thoughts on how to trace him would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[David Porter]

Andy,

Some of what you have written doesn't add up. He should be Home on his attestation date not BEF (British Expeditionary Force)

The BEF date would be on or after he joined the 1/1st London Brigade RFA (which became 280th Bde RFA) i.e. Dec. 11, 1915.

He was repatriated on May 4, 1917 - the Depot and Res Bde postings mean he was away from the front line - cause unknown.

The hospitals mentioned may be for treatment or medical boards. Having recovered he was posted back to France on Dec. 13, 1917.

He saw active service in 2 distinct periods with 7 months recuperation in between.

As you have found his Service Record the Medal Rolls will not add anything you don't already know.

[andb]

Andy,

Some of what you have written doesn't add up. He should be Home on his attestation date not BEF (British Expeditionary Force)

The BEF date would be on or after he joined the 1/1st London Brigade RFA (which became 280th Bde RFA) i.e. Dec. 11, 1915.

He was repatriated on May 4, 1917 - the Depot and Res Bde postings mean he was away from the front line - cause unknown.

The hospitals mentioned may be for treatment or medical boards. Having recovered he was posted back to France on Dec. 13, 1917.

He saw active service in 2 distinct periods with 7 months recuperation in between.

As you have found his Service Record the Medal Rolls will not add anything you don't already know.

Hi David,

Thanks for the reply. I've looked through all the papers that I have downloaded and found another page which hopefully clears it up:

Regiment No: 2276

Home: 21/Jun/1915 ~ 12/Dec/1915

BEF: 13/Dec/1915 ~ 3/May/1917

Home: 4/May/1917 ~ 12/Dec/1917

France: 13/Dec/1917 ~ 4/Jun/1919

Home: 5/Jun/1919

How do I check where the 280th Bde RFA fought during the period of Dec 1915 ~ May 1917?

Thanks.

[RobertBr]

1/1 London Brigade:

Became the Divisional Artillery of the 38th (Welsh) Division 11th Dec. 1915 at Aire

Transferred to the 16th (Irish) Division, on the 6th Jan 1916 the Brigade moved into action at Loos.

24th Feb 1916 join this 56th (London) division where they remained for the rest of the war.

Became 280th Brigade RFA 56th Div on 11th of May 1916 as part of a general reorganisation.

A/280 battery of 18 pdrs.

B/280 battery of 18 pdrs

C/280 battery of 18 pdrs (disbanded 05 Nov 1916)

D/280 battery of 4.5 Howitzers

The divsison having two artillery brigades the other being the 281st brigade, formerly the 1/2 London Brigade RFA.

Major actions:

1916 The Somme (Gommecourt, Ginchy and Guillemont)

1917 Ypres (Hooge)

1917 Arras (Neuville Vitasse)

1917 Cambrai (Hermies)

1918 Arras (Bailleu Sire Bertholt; Mars offensive)

1918 Last 100 days (Canal du Nord, Miang, Sebourg, Fait Le Franc (Belguim), Blaregnies 11/11/18 -South of Mons)

This is a potted extract from a history of the brigade written in the days immediately after the war.

When you are able PM me for more information. My Grandfather was in the 281st Brigade RFA. I have a god deal more information regarding the divisions artillery. My post '28 March 1918' regarding the Mars Offensive may also be of interest.

Welcome to the forum.

Bob

[andb]

1/1 London Brigade:

Became the Divisional Artillery of the 38th (Welsh) Division 11th Dec. 1915 at Aire

Transferred to the 16th (Irish) Division, on the 6th Jan 1916 the Brigade moved into action at Loos.

24th Feb 1916 join this 56th (London) division where they remained for the rest of the war.

Became 280th Brigade RFA 56th Div on 11th of May 1916 as part of a general reorganisation.

A/280 battery of 18 pdrs.

B/280 battery of 18 pdrs

C/280 battery of 18 pdrs (disbanded 05 Nov 1916)

D/280 battery of 4.5 Howitzers

The divsison having two artillery brigades the other being the 281st brigade, formerly the 1/2 London Brigade RFA.

Major actions:

1916 The Somme (Gommecourt, Ginchy and Guillemont)

1917 Ypres (Hooge)

1917 Arras (Neuville Vitasse)

1917 Cambrai (Hermies)

1918 Arras (Bailleu Sire Bertholt; Mars offensive)

1918 Last 100 days (Canal du Nord, Miang, Sebourg, Fait Le Franc (Belguim), Blaregnies 11/11/18 -South of Mons)

This is a potted extract from a history of the brigade written in the days immediately after the war.

When you are able PM me for more information. My Grandfather was in the 281st Brigade RFA. I have a god deal more information regarding the divisions artillery. My post '28 March 1918' regarding the Mars Offensive may also be of interest.

Welcome to the forum.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the reply, this is of great interest. For som reason the site will not allow me to contact you directly, I keep on receiving error messages!!

Andy

[CGM]

Hello Andy,

Make one more post and you will have reached 5, when you will be able use the messaging system.

(A system to prevent spammers)

Reply to this and you will be there.

[andb]

Hello Andy,

Make one more post and you will have reached 5, when you will be able use the messaging system.

(A system to prevent spammers)

Reply to this and you will be there.

Ahh, thanks a lot for the advice. Cheers!