8th Bn Devons and DCLI experts help please

[Jim Hastings]

Dear All,

I am researching the grandfather of a friend of mine, who was 33642 Pte William Bevan of 8th Bn Devons, although was formerly 27260 Pte Bevan of the DCLI (Bn unknown). His MIC states he enlisted on 6th Dec 1915 and was discharged on 27th August 1918 under AO265/17 para 2B1 W.

My friend has inherited some correspondence from him, from his home address in Vernham Street, Andover to the hospitals he was in for approx. 18 months, Beechfield, Regents Park Hospital, Millbrook Nr Southampton and later Netley

I was wondering if any Devonshire Regt.(and if there are any particularly 8th Bn) experts out there could give me some idea from his number when Bevan may have joined the 8th or if there was a known draft from the DCLI. If he was in hospital for 18 months that would put him in F&F roughly Feb 1916, does that fit in?

Likewise are there any DCLI experts out there who can give me some idea of the timings of a 27260 entry? I would like to try and determine if Bevan went to F&F with the DCLI and then transferred or whether he was drafted over before leaving Blighty

Any info, guidance or direction gratefully received

Many thanks

Jim

[sotonmate]

I believe his MIC suggests that he first landed with DCLI,with whom the enlistment date of 6 Dec 1915 refers.

[Jim Hastings]

Ah, interesting Sotonmate, so if he landed in France after training, say Feb 1916 at the very earliest and the family said he spent 18 months in hospital (according to correspondence between him and their ancestors) before his discharge in August 1918, he probably spent a year at most in F&F. I wonder if his DCLI number could ascertain his Bn? His family knew nothing about his DCLI connection until I told them and it came as a surprise, so wonder if he was with them for a short period. Not that his name will be mentioned but think need to take a look at 8th Devon WD to see if any DCLI drafts ... and check out what they were up to in early 1917

Thanks for your help

Jim

[sotonmate]

Jim

I am still fiddling with this ! You can find the landing Battalion from the WO329/866 ledger page. I will dig that ref out and see if there is anything else to add.

[Jim Hastings]

Dear All, 

 

Role as teacher and single parent kept me off here for ages, but my old army friend (mentioned) above and I have decided to go to the Somme in March to follow the footsteps of the 8th Devons and from a little amateur digging I reckon Bevan joined the 8th Devons about mid September 1916 and from the WD was wounded on the advance to the Hindenburg Line near Puisieux on 2nd March or a couple of days later. The 8th WD is pretty detailed about where drafts come from other than a September and a Feb 17 draft. Wondered if anyone with DCLI or 8th Devons expertise could assist. It is believed he was 7th DCLI. Seen a posed photo of him ...no studio Mark's...in DCLI uniform with DCLI titles and blackened buttons but with Devons capbadge. Any guidance or direction greatly appreciated

 

Many thanks 

 

Jim