Somerset Light Infantry (Liverpudlian)

[gillchadwick]

I have received a request for assistance from the son of Henry Blackhurst pictured below.

He would like to know why his father born and living in Liverpool enlisted into the Somerset L.I. ? Also attached is a copy of his discharge document ( the second page won't upload )

Thank you in anticipation for any help.

Gill

[gillchadwick]

Page 2. of opening post

[sotonmate]

You will see most of what I have seen,from the forms :

1st enlistment in 6 Dragoon Guards on 18 Aug 1914, but according to his Medal Index Card he first served overseas with Army Service Corps Remounts,number R/4/095527. His two campaign medals,he landed after 1915,were issued by the Somerset Light Infantry when he served with them in the 1/5 Battalion,number 38214. He was discharged at the end of his terms of engagement on 21 April 1919. He re-joined the SLI the next day,with the new number of 5662742 and was discharged again on 14 Jul 1922.

I imagine that the uniform in the pic is of the Dragoon Guards.

The Army Service Corps Remounts deal with the custody,care and provision of horses for army units requiring them. A Dragoon would work with horses and this would seem a natural offshoot,with maybe the possibility that he wasn't fully fit for front line duty. Here a page describing a Remount Depot,on Home Service,but they were overseas as well,there were large Depots in several places in France and Flanders.as well as other theatres:

http://www.swaythling.org.uk

Service with the SLI later may not have been Henry's choice.

[gillchadwick]

Thank you for the information about the Army Service Corps Remounts

Regards

Gill