Glorious Glosters Posted 20 October , 2012 Share Posted 20 October , 2012 On my grandmother's marriage certificate dated August 1916, it states her father's occupation as 'soldier' which was a huge surprise to me as no one in the family had ever mention his WW1 service. I am unable to find his army service record but found a record at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire military museum: Private John Knowlson, Glouc.Regt. 1/16 Battalion T.F., reg. no 3804 - enlistment 24.4.1915, discharge 5.9.1916. Cause of discharge - sickness, overseas. As he was born in 1873 in Bristol, this would have made him 42 years of age at enlistment. Does the TF mean Territorial Force and was that the reason for embodied service even at his age? He was obviously not wounded but discharged on medical grounds. Any help gratefully received. Glorious Glosters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmm45 Posted 20 October , 2012 Share Posted 20 October , 2012 He served overseas entitled to British War and Victory medals plus SWB he was a Territorial with 6th Batt. Medal card and Swb list survive Badge number 140512 Ady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted 20 October , 2012 Share Posted 20 October , 2012 GG, Born in 1873 was certainly not too old, my g/f was (according to the army) was born in 1866 (actually 1868 but that"'s another story) and he was called up from the reserves shortly after the war started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious Glosters Posted 21 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 October , 2012 Ady have seen his Medal Card but what is SWB list and where can I find it? GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Posted 21 October , 2012 Share Posted 21 October , 2012 GG, SWB is 'Silver War Badge' and can, I believe, be accessed via the National Archives. I'm sure that someone will be along with more info shortly! In the meantime: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_War_Badge Roxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon2 Posted 21 October , 2012 Share Posted 21 October , 2012 He certainly wasn't too old. He may have enlisted under the Derby Scheme. I think I have found him on the 1911 census living in Bristol, married and had 8 children. If he enlisted in Apr 1915 (sounds about right) he would not have gone overseas with the battalion but probably was included in a draft. The SWB lists can also be looked at through Ancestry. My subscription is expired at the moment otherwise I would have taken a look. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin kenf48 Posted 21 October , 2012 Admin Share Posted 21 October , 2012 Your great - grandfather enlisted into the Territorial Force, it may be his original expectation was that by doing so he may have not expected to serve overseas but as he was fit enough to be placed into the 'first line' he would have been eligible to do so. The TF also tended to be more 'relaxed' about age-limits than the Regular or New Army Battalions. Many TF units replaced Regular Battalions on Garrison Duty at home and overseas, but as this insight article on the parent site the Long Long Trail explains it was not long before men were sent to France http://www.1914-1918.net/tf.htm He may initially have been in a 2nd line Bn but volunteered to go overseas as a replacement for losses in the 'first line' Bn as suggested above (incidentally both Battalions were raised in Bristol, which was another incentive to join the TF as they had strong local connections). As the asterisk on the mic shows whatever the route he definitely entered theatre with the 1/6th, even though the 2/6th followed them a year later. http://www.1914-1918.net/glos.htm He did not enlist under the Derby Scheme which was not introduced until October 1915. The Silver War Badge Roll on Ancestry adds little to the medal index card. It would be interesting to know if he signed/witnessed his daughter's marriage certificate as this would give an indication if he was overseas at the time (he might have got leave but it was very difficult, or he could have been convalescing in the UK prior to his discharge). Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious Glosters Posted 21 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 21 October , 2012 No, he did not sign the register. My grandmother's brother in law and sister signed as witnesses so I presumed he was serving overseas. John Knowlson was always considered by my family as a tantankerous, old man. Perhaps I should see him in a new light by fighting for his country! Were the Territorial Forces started in 1908 or before? I really can't imagine him joining. Perhaps it was a chance of getting away from his 8 children! GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 22 October , 2012 Share Posted 22 October , 2012 found a record at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire military museum:Private John Knowlson, Glouc.Regt. 1/16 Battalion T.F., reg. no 3804 - enlistment 24.4.1915, discharge 5.9.1916. Cause of discharge - sickness, overseas. What you found was in fact the SWB entry - I looked at it on Ancestry, and indeed that is exactly what the SWB roll gives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious Glosters Posted 22 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 22 October , 2012 Thanks for all the replies - it's given me something to think about! GG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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