Royal Garrison Artillery

[Dannemois]

Herbert Blenkiron was a police constable at Nelson Police Station when he attested at Bargoed on 10 Oct 1915 and placed in Reserve. Mobilised on 14 March 1917 he was posted to Southampton on 7 April 1917. On the 10 April he went to France with BEF and served as 141534 Signaller with the RGA 245 Siege Battery in France. A note on his records says he became a Gnr/Sig in May 1918.

Can someone add to the above, what was the role of Signaller, where was his unit in France?

[rflory]

According to TNA the war diary for 245th Siege Battery, RGA has not been found, and as far as I am aware there is not unit history for the battery. You will have to consult the war diaries for the various Heavy Artillery Groups under which the battery served.

[sotonmate]

D

Do you seek a photo of the soldier too ? I sought one for a Lancs policeman who served in the Army in WW1 a few years back whilst aiding a member from Virginia here. Contacted Manchester Police archives and they had index cards with passport -type photo. Not sure how far and wide their system covers though.

[kevinrowlinson]

Some of your times are a little bit out. He became a 1st Class Signaller on the 26 June 1917 while at the Southampton signalling school. He went overseas on the 10-7-1917. The reference to Gnr/Sig in 1918 was because in April of that year Signaller became an appointment in its own right (similar to wheeler, fitter etc.) You can listen to a couple of signallers and their experiences on the IWM site; http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80023047 and http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80000331 . Both served with heavy batteries but the job was about the same.

Kevin

[Dannemois]

Thanks for all your comments, much appreciated