1st Dorsets, date of arrival with unit, May - July, 1915

[Tom Morgan]

I wonder if any Pal could give me a bit of help with a question about a soldier in 1st Dorsets.

The soldier joined up just before the outbreak of war and his service record mentions that he was "Posted on Active Service" on 13th May, 1915. Would this be the date he arrived in France, or the date he arrived at the Battalion? I know there was usually a period of intensive training between arriving in France and joining one's unit, but I'm wondering if this was the case this early (relatively speaking) in the war.

Can anyone advise me?

Tom

[Malcolm Linham]

Tom

This mirror's my grandfather's experince, I believe he joined up early or pre war, he has a battalion number of 3/8019 in the Dorsets which indicates Special reserve but this might not necessarily so. According to his medal index card he didn't go to F & F until the 26 July 1915.

The one thing that struck me immediately I saw your post and having attending the excellent recent conference, listening to Richard Van Emden about boy soldier's.

My grandfather was only 18 when war broke out and therefore offically not old enough to serve at the front although many did.

Do you know how old he was ?

Hope this helps

Malcolm

[Tom Morgan]

Thanks for your reply, Malcolm. My soldier was 21 or 22 when he arrived on active service, so his age didn't keep him back.

Tom

[terrier]

Hello Tom,

I hope this might help a little.I checked The 1st Bn war diary today.

As you know in May 1915they were at Hill 60 at Ypres.On 6th May the wardiary records that they withdrew to E.Camp,OUDERON.Bn strength about 200

There is a block entry from 7th-19th stating "remained at camp"

20th .Relieved 1st Gordons in trenches in Hill 60.Bn about 1100 strong.

21st 1 a.m relief completed.

Clearly major reinforcements had arrived.This fits your time bracket and as I say,I hope it helps,

Pete

[ss002d6252]

What was his name and number ?. The MIC should show the date he went to France and you should be able to differentiate between the dates.

[Tom Morgan]

ss002d6252- He's 3/7283 Pte. Harry Woods. He has two MIC cards - one for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal and one for the 1915 Star. The BWM/VM card doesn't have a date of entry. The 1915 star card probably does but no matter how hard I try to find it on Acestry, I can't. Other people have located it in the past, though, and I've heard that this card has the surname Wood.

If anyone can find it for me - and can tell me how they did it - I'd be really grateful.

Terrier - that diary reference is very helpful indeed. Thanks very much for it.

Tom