Help with MGC numbering.

[paul leeson]

Hi

Could anyone please help with approx enlistment date of [or transfer date to] the following Machine Gun Corp Private who's number was 156003. Also would this help id the unit he was in ??

Thanks in advance.

His name was Albert E Groves.

Paul

[hmsk212]

Date of joining / transfer would be late April / early May 1918 and no it wouldn't help identify his Battalion.

Steve

[hmsk212]

Hi From the War & Victory Medal Roll his full name was Albert Edwin Groves and he was discharged to Army Reserves Class Z on 25th February 1919.

Steve

[kenf48]

My guesstimate is that he was mobilised late 1917/early 1918 and went to a Training Battalion and from there volunteered for and was transferred into the MGC around May 1918.

[Pte 156066 aged 17 yrs 11months on enlistment, attested January 1917; posted to Reserve then Devon Rgt March 1918; service 'proper' begins - to Training Reserve Battn.18 January 1918; transferred into MGC 16 May 1918; to BEF 2 July 1918]

Don't know if you know Albert's d.o.b. there are a number born around 1900 location might help indicate whether he followed a similar path.

It won't help identify his unit although the medal rolls at Kew may do.

Ken

[paul leeson]

Hi From the War & Victory Medal Roll his full name was Albert Edwin Groves and he was discharged to Army Reserves Class Z on 25th February 1919.

Steve

Thank you so much Steve. His middle name was indeed Edwin [he was my Great Uncle]. You must have access to the medal roll by the looks of things !! Thanks again, it has taken me a long time to track him down - my old Mum would have been so pleased that this Family History Mystery has been solved.

Paul

[paul leeson]

My guesstimate is that he was mobilised late 1917/early 1918 and went to a Training Battalion and from there volunteered for and was transferred into the MGC around May 1918.

[Pte 156066 aged 17 yrs 11months on enlistment, attested January 1917; posted to Reserve then Devon Rgt March 1918; service 'proper' begins - to Training Reserve Battn.18 January 1918; transferred into MGC 16 May 1918; to BEF 2 July 1918]

Don't know if you know Albert's d.o.b. there are a number born around 1900 location might help indicate whether he followed a similar path.

It won't help identify his unit although the medal rolls at Kew may do.

Ken

Ken

Thanks also for your help.

His d.o.b. is 14/9/1899 and he was born and grew up in Lewisham, London.

I have a photo I will try to put up at lunch-time of him in what I believe to be the uniform of the Bedfordshire Rgt.

He was the younger brother of Reg and Cyril [see my foot notes below] and was sent home from the front [possibly Ypres] after the death of his mother and both his brothers.

Thanks again.

Paul

[paul leeson]

See attached photo [hopefully]. From his cap badge I believe he must have trained in a training/reserve Bn of the Bedfordshire Rgt.

Paul