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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

203359 Private Walter William Cooper - Middlesex Regiment


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Posted

The service record of this man on Ancestry suggests he had previous service prior to his attestation.

His documents show he enlisted on 22/1/1917 into the Middlesex regiment. There is only one mention of his previous service with the Royal Field Artillery but nothing to back it up.

At that time he was old enough, 32, to have served in South Africa. Unfortunately I don't have access to information on South African service and wondered if anyone can confirm his service. To help with identification he was born in Littleport, Cambridgeshire.

Garth

Posted
His documents show he enlisted on 22/1/1917 into the Middlesex regiment. There is only one mention of his previous service with the Royal Field Artillery but nothing to back it up.

It may have been WW1 service - as he didn't enlist in to the Middlesex until 1917 then he could have served with RFA and been discharged prior to this.

I can't see anything obvious for him on the Boer War rolls as Walter Cooper but there are also quite a few 'W Cooper' listed.

Craig

Posted

Craig

Thanks. True about WW1 but I couldn't think why anyone so young would have been discharged and then reengage in a different Regiment.

Garth

Posted
Thanks. True about WW1 but I couldn't think why anyone so young would have been discharged and then reengage in a different Regiment.

He could have served and been discharged due to illness, disability or even simply down to him not being an efficient soldier - many men had been discharged earlier in the war and then conscripted from 1916 onwards.

There's also the chance he was a time expired T.F. man.

Craig

Posted

I found a possible RFA candidate but if I've read the MICs right they both got medals!!

Garth

Posted

After a quick look at his records.

Next to RFA is what looks like 'No vacancy'

It is not on another form that asks if he has served previously, he answers No

A service number 8170 appears a couple of times Territorial?

Medical history form shows date in August 1916

Service from 22/1/17

Also transfer 8 Mddx?

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