David Lea Posted 17 April , 2013 Share Posted 17 April , 2013 Good evening I'm currently researching the WW1 military history of my grandfather, Private 306484 Ralph Croft who served with 2/8th Kings Liverpool Regiment and was gassed in France in July 1917. He was returned home and sent to the 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Edinburgh on 22/08/1917 I can find no trace of his service record but from documents still in family possession, he is next referred to on a 'Protection Certificate' in 1919 as 'Medical category B2' and as Private 82383 of '331 Pro Coy RDC'. On a 'Certificate of Disembodiment' he is referred to as having served with the Labour Corps. I have a few questions arising out of this... 1. Does anyone have any information (or photos) about the 2nd General Hospital at Edinburgh and would it have been normal for a 'Lancashire' soldier to be sent here? 2. What is a 'Protection Certificate' and what does 'Medical Category B2' refer to and how would his service with 2/8th KLR be affected ie would he be forced to leave? 3. Would he automatically be 'signed up' with the RDC? Was this compulsory or voluntary? 4. What type of duties would the RDC be engaged with? What does 331 Pro Coy refer to and are there any further research opportunities to find out more about them? 5. Are the RDC and Labour Corps the same thing? I'm very grateful for any help anyone can give to assist me. Kind Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 17 April , 2013 Share Posted 17 April , 2013 3. Would he automatically be 'signed up' with the RDC? Was this compulsory or voluntary? It was part of the army and he could be moved to and from it at the army's discretion. 4. What type of duties would the RDC be engaged with? What does 331 Pro Coy refer to and are there any further research opportunities to find out more about them? Protection companies would be used to guard bridges, factories etc. They tended by be staffed by men unfit or too old for front line service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 17 April , 2013 Share Posted 17 April , 2013 The 2nd General (TF) Hospital was at Craigleith,Edinburgh.It had a capacity for 28 Officers and 1129 ORs. Transfer of wounded there would not have included an analysis of where they came from,merely that beds were available and in addition,may have been a specialist place for gas victims. The gas had obviously affected your subject's physical efficiency hence the downgrade to B2 meaning that his front line service was over,and his time with 2/8 KLR at an end.He would be compulsorily deployed to less taxing service,maybe the Labour Corps and if that was too taxing also then to the RDC for guard duties. The Protection Certificate would,among other possibilities serve to prove his service and discharge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lea Posted 18 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 18 April , 2013 Many thanks for your replies, they are very helpful. Can I ask if it would be normal to expect service with the Labour Corps to appear on a soldier's MIC? Ralph's MIC only shows his service with the KLR and the RDC, with no mention of the Labour Corps? I have attached a section of his Certificate of Disembodiment - this is actually the only reference to him having served in the Labour Corps but it also refers to his service with the KLR and RDC, so I'm sure it is reliable and confirms what sotonmate suggests that he moved from the KLR to the Labour Corps and then moved to the RDC at some stage thereafter.. Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 18 April , 2013 Share Posted 18 April , 2013 Can I ask if it would be normal to expect service with the Labour Corps to appear on a soldier's MIC? David Medal Index Cards tend to a.) show only the units served overseas with and b.) the unit on whose rolls the medals were issued, there are however always exceptions to the rule..... As his service with the Labour Corps was, in all probability, UK based this won't be shown on the card. His RDC service, whilst also in the UK, will be shown though as it was the last unit with which he served and the medals were issued on their rolls. Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lea Posted 18 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 18 April , 2013 Cheers Steve, that explains it! Many thanks David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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