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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

B Training Bn. MGC


roger

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I would appreciate any information about B Training Bn. Machine Gun Corps. (inf)

A member of this unit, who was a local man is buried in the churchyard at St. Gregory's Bedale North Yorks. His name was JOSEPH SHAW Private 18470 who died on Sunday 3 November 1918 .

Thanks in advance,

Roger.

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The MGC Depot & Training Centre was established at Harrowby Camp and Belton Park (both near Grantham) by November 1915.

The MGC TC was originally organised into three Training Groups - A, B and C. A was at Harrowby; B at Belton and C at Cannock Chase in Staffs.

Each comprised a Depot & Trg Bn, with specialist units, and Reserve Battalions. Soldiers would be assigned to a [lettered] Training Battalion, and then on conclusion be assigned to a [numbered] Reserve Battalion prior to drafting to front line units. So B Trg Bn was at Belton Park.

He must therefore have died whilst in training in the UK.

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Thanks very much for the reply. How long would the training last before being posted to a front line unit?

Roger.

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My understanding is that it was the 20th Training Reserve Brigade, consisting of 84th-87th Training Reserve Bns, which provided training for the MGC. 84th, 85th, and 87th Bns became 29th and 30th Northumblerand Fusiliers and 21st Durham Light Infantry respectively in early 1918, but retained their MGC role.

I had always thought that these bns provided basic training prior to the recruit going to the MGC Training Centre to be taught MG skills. Perhaps Staffsyeoman could elucidate?

Charles M

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A couple of follow-ups..

Ian/Terry: 8th Bn was also at Cannock (alongside 3rd & 4th).

Charles is right about 20 TR Bde (we have numerous examples of photos of an MGC man wearing a cloth '84' on his cap, with subsequent photos of him badged MGC.

I can't cite detail (will have to consult another oracle on that!) but our belief is that 20 TR Bde did some but not all basic soldiering training for MGC recruits. Transferees- trained soldiers from other units - went straight to Grantham, certainly.

I will make further enquiries!

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Roger,

Don't know if you have this info already but the cemetery register gives his No as 184706 and he was the son of Mr J Shaw of Firley Lodge, Bedale.

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