Royal Fusiliers

[MrG]

In common I suspect with many others we are hoping to produce a record of the men named on our WW1 memorial in time for the 100th anniversary. Two men from the same regiment - the Royal Fusiliers - are giving me a problem as I have as yet been unable to find any service records for them.

They are Pte GS/6518 George Bradford 13th Btn

and

Pte G/41294 Percy Dennett Knight 2nd Btn (aka Percy Knight Dennett)

and I was wondering if there were any experts on this regiment who would lend a hand in answering some of my questions/pointing me in the right direction?

Many Thanks

[kenf48]

Try George Ernest Bradford GS/65118 not much on him mic a pair post 1915 and SDGW

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/533209/

Ken

[johnboy]

DENNETT, PERCY KNIGHT Rank: Lance Corporal Service No: G/41294 Date of Death: 03/03/1917 Age: 35 Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers 2nd Bn. Grave Reference III. C. 19. Cemetery GROVE TOWN CEMETERY, MEAULTE Additional Information:

Son of James and Maria Knight, of Barns Green, Horsham; husband of Mary Ann Dennett, of 2, Jessamine Terrace, Barns Green, Horsham, Sussex.

[kenf48]

Percy Knight Dennett again much the same as above mic a pair SDGW 3 Mar 1917 died of wounds service record did not survive the luftwaffe weeding

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/30936/DENNETT,%20PERCY%20KNIGHT

and the questions are?

Ken

[MrG]

Thanks for the above - I had some info but not as much as this. I have not been able to find any service records (on Ancestry/Findmypast) so was wondering what other Regimental records survived?

[johnboy]

Thanks for the above - I had some info but not as much as this. I have not been able to find any service records (on Ancestry/Findmypast) so was wondering what other Regimental records survived?

If they are not on Ancestry there is a good chance they were destroyed during the Blitz.

[kenf48]

The 2nd Bn War Diary is at TNA but has not been digitised http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C7353567

as is the 13th Bn http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C7354102

Until someone comes along with the diaries (though they will not mention them by name) I suspect Percy was wounded on the 28th February when the British recaptured Sailly-Sailessil on the Somme battlefield as the Germans withdrew and succumbed later to his wounds at either the 34th or 2/2nd London CCS who are both associated with the cemetery where he was laid to rest.

George died during the Arras Offensive at the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe

Both were probably conscripted though I've not looked around similar numbers, certainly neither first went overseas with the main body. The 2nd Bn was a Regular Army Bn while the 13th was a New Army unit although by 1916 such distinctions had broken down.

Ken

[MrG]

Many Thanks for all the help everyone.

I think a trip to TNA is on the cards but obviously it is most helpful to know where to look!

Merve