Private Eric James Bristow

[pipster]

I've been lookin into my Great Uncle's service in the Great War and didn't even think to check my Great Grandfather's history but it seems he served as well, looks like a lot of information on his card, can anyone help me understand it a bit better? If i understand it correctly he served in the Royal Berks first and then the Labour Corps which seems to imply he was unfit for front line service, injured maybe? He was born in Maidenhead in 1893 and died in Maidenhead in 1974.

http://search.ancest...mail=&rc=&zp=75

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Phil.

[Verrico2009]

Hi Phil,

And welcome to the Forum.

Assuming you've got the right man, you're in luck: some service papers have survived, filed under his Labour Corps service (service papers):-

Name: Eric James Bristow

Document Year: 1919

Regimental Number: 102606 (typo - definitely 102603)

Regiment Name: Labour Corps

[Verrico2009]

The SWB refers to him being invalided out and presented with a Silver War Badge (and certificate) to prove he had seen active service. The rolls for these are now also available on Ancestry (SWB roll):-

Name: Eric Jas. Bristow

Discharge Unit: Labour Corps

Regiment Number: 102603

Rank: L/C

Badge Number: 452170

Unit: Labour Corps (Nottingham)

Piece: 3204

List Number: LC 5701-6100

Record Group: WO

Record Class: 329

Interestingly, it refers to a different rank, but will also give his enlistment and discharge dates, along with whether it was wounds or sickness - but you might enjoy looking for yourself: spoilers!

The other references are to the rolls listing his medal entitlements - the 1915 Star, Victory medal and British War medal.

[pipster]

Hmm, i've just found this, seems he liked a drink...

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=1219&iid=miuk1914e_125107-00815&pid=168051&email=

[Verrico2009]

So would I if I'd had a gunshot wound to chest and foot (elsewhere mention of abdomen too) and been in a POW camp too boot (at least I think that's what "attrib to serv in prso war" means)! Seems he was a pre-war regular, enlisting in 1913.

[pipster]

That's a good point, he seems like he had an interesting war. Made me day finding all this out today, thanks for your input.

[Verrico2009]

The records may not be complete, but on the face of it he had a clean sheet until after the 1916 abdomen injury and that got him a session back in Blighty (when he'd not long recovered from being hospitalised with the flu) and that appears to be the point he was transferred to the Labour Corps (I think your assumption is right and it was for men who were no longer A1 fit). The description of his condition sounds fairly nasty.

I suspect the Army was a hard-drinking culture and as long as it didn't affect your ability to do your job it was acceptable. I imagine sometimes a stiff drink was all that got them through. He was clearly able, having been demoted and promoted again before final discharge.

Glad to have been able to assist - if only it was so easy for everyone looking for servicemen!

[pipster]

As i said at the beginning i was researching another family member and found pretty much nothing, joined up and left and that seems to be about it and it only occured to me when i realised my Great Grangfather's date of birth that he was probably involved as well.

[Verrico2009]

Unfortunately, that's the way it goes - with around 70% of the records destroyed in a direct hit in WW2 a 50% strike rate is more than acceptable. Good luck with the other family member - you never know what you'll find and sometimes snippets do crop up.

[pipster]

Is there any way of finding out which part of the Royal Berks he served with, i know it was the 4th but what does 1/4th and 2/4th mean exactly?

[pipster]

Is there any way of finding out which part of the Royal Berks he served with, i know it was the 4th but what does 1/4th and 2/4th mean exactly?

Does the attached document mean he was in the 1st battalion?

[mac]

Dear Pipster

In 1914 when the war started in addition to the two Regular Battalions and the 3rd (special Reserve) battalion there was the county territorial battalion the 4th Battalion. They mobilised straight away and ended up at their war station at Chelmsford. At about the same time they had a great influx of manpower which necessitated the formation of another battalion. The 4th Battalion then became the 1st/4th, and the new battalion became the 2nd/4th Battalion. To get a summary of these battalions go to the Regimental Museum Website at www.thewardrobe.org.uk and once there go to two places. Firstly the History section and follow the Royal Berkshire Regiment bit covering the 1st WW. That will give you an overview of the two battalions (Be patient once there, there is a lot to get through). then go to THE COLLECTION/UNIT/BERK/1st/4th and you will pick up what the museum has on that battalion. (Museum has more but its being processed). [As a point of interest it is called THE WARDROBE because that is the name of the building in Salisbury that the Regiment collection is housed in]

Hope that helps a little

Cheers

MAC

[Wardog]

Hello. Just posted on your 2LG thread. May be of interest that my 2LG grandather's brother in law was in 2nd R.Berks, I think they both lived in the area of New Lodge, Windsor Forest area. Regards, Paul.