Would it have been Bristols Own regiment Grandad was in ?

[Guest Googie]

My grandfather left with other soldiers from Bristol in 1915 and was away for 4 years, would it have been with the Bristols Own regiment ? he was very tight lipped about his time at war and would never tell anyone what had happened, I believe it was Messipitainia (Iran) where he went. I have tried several times to find things out but there is only my Mum left now from a family of 9 and she is coming 80, so would really appreciatte any help please. His name was Ernest Goodwin, and his date of birth was 1st January 1890.

[ralphjd]

To be honest he could have served in any regiment. There are 24 medal index cards to E or Ernest Goodwins on Ancestry, need to review these to eliminate those who did not return, no service records appear to have survived for him. Will keep checking for you. Regards. Ralph. (Mesopotamia )

[Malcolm Linham]

Googie

As Ralph as said it could be any number of regiments or Corps he could have served in.

If he did go to Mesopotamia as you have suggested then it was not with Bristols Own 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment as they only fought on the Western Front and Italy.

According to the LLT the 7th (Service) Battalion of the Gloucesters also formed in Bristol, went to Gallipoli, and then Egypt so could have gone into Iran.

However searching the Soldiers of Gloucester website www.glosters.org.uk he is not listed as serving with the Glosters.

Hope this assists

Malcolm

[kenf48]

Unfortunately it's a fairly common name, did he have any other names?

It sounds very much as if he was serving with the 13th (Western) Division who first went overseas in June/July 1915 to the Dardanelles, then after that campaign they returned to Egypt and on to Mesopatamia. It was the only entirely British Division to serve in that theatre and did not return to France or the UK during the war.

I can only find one Ernest Goodwin in the medal cards who went to Gallipoli he was in the 9th Lancashire Fusiliers and later transferred to the Royal Field Artillery but I'm fairly certain it's not him.

The 7th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment was raised in Bristol on the outbreak of war and sailed with the Division to Gallipoli from Avonmouth, but as noted above he could have been in any other Regiment or Corps, as its name implies the Division also included Battalions from Wiltshire and Welsh Regiments.

Ken

[sotonmate]

Googie

Welcome to the Forum ! You may be lucky to discover about your GD from an Absent Voters List for 1918 for his home area. He would have been entitled to vote in the General Election of that year and a List would have shown that he was in the Military and probably his unit and service number.There are not many AVLs surviving but you could ask at your County/nearest City Archives.

Also there might be something in newsprint of the time. Again, you local Archive may be able to help.