Band of Brothers

[gillingham62]

Hi all,

I am trying to find out where my Great Grandfather fought in France along with his 2 brothers who also served in the RFA

My Grandfather was Robert Hamlett West Reg No 86032 and was in 4 Depot , I know that he had 2 tours in France from 31st May- 11th Dec 1915 & from the 8th March but no end date

on his service history.

His brothers were William Hamlett West Reg No 17041 No 3 Depot and then transferred to 15th Battery & then 151st Battery and the other brother was Joseph Hamlett West I have no information on this brother.

All the brothers survived the war and there was a 4th brother who was in the Connaught Rangers who also survived the war, Earnest Hamlett West Reg No 4766.

Any information on where these guys fought would be great.

I am thinking about doing a small tour of where these ancestors fought and to visit Lijssenthoek cemetery where another relative is buried so any pointers on Battlefield tours would be helpful.

Regards

Gordon.

[anthony P]

Hi Gordon

William H West

Born 1891. Residence, 3 Weedington Road, Kentish Town N.W.

Attestation. 9th November 1914. aged 23 year's 227 day's, Royal Regiment of Artillery, Number 17040. Rank, Driver.

Posted 62nd Brigade, "C" Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Number 17041,26th May 1915. Embarked for France 30th May 1916,arrived Harve 31st

May 1916. 62nd Brigade became 65th Army Brigade 25th May 1916.

4th November 1916 transferred to 14th Brigade then 6th November to 86th Battery R.F.A.

Discharged 3rd May 1919, service 4 year's 145 day's.

Married to Helen Rebecca, children, William James, and Ellen Margaret.

Hope this is of help.

All the best.

Tony

Trade, Railway Porter.

[gillingham62]

Thanks Tony for the info, i did have most of that information but it is good to have it ratified.

Gordon.

[anthony P]

Hi Gordon

Earnest Hamlett West.

Born 21st August 1896, Baptised 21st September, Kentish Town.

Trade, Clerk.

Enlisted 2nd November 1914, 3rd Battalion Connaught Rangers, number 4766.

2nd November 1914 - 6th March 1918, Connaught Rangers Barracks.

7th March 1918 - 20th March 1918, B.E.F. France

21st March 1918 - 2nd December 1918 Prisoner of War, Germany

3rd December 1918 - 4th March 1919 Home.

15th March 1919 - 31st March 1920 class z, then discharged.

Total service 5 years and 150 days.

Acting Corporal 10th May 1915.

Lance Sargent 15th February 1916.

Married October 1915, to Rose Louisa Fairhead, St Pancras.

Died 19th February 1952.

I can only assume that Earnest's trade as a Clerk made him invaluable, and that he was involved at Battalion Head Quarter's until 1918.

Which led to two promotion's

Hope this is of help.

All the best.

Tony