Rifleman William Stephens

[Ourfamily]

Dear All,

Some weeks ago asked for any information about William Stephens. At that time, I did not know much about him that I could give you to go on. I now have his 1919 Transfer Documents so can tell you that his Service No. was 47142 and his was in the 3rd Bttn Royal Irish Rifles.

This man is my grandsons' great, grandfather and I am trying to tell them as much as I can about his life. I have been told by his daughter that he was a POW in Germany (which is now confirmed by his Transfer Docs) but I would like to know which POW Camp he was held in - she seems to think he was made to work in a Salt Mine.

Can anyone provide me with more information about his time as a POW. Many thanks in anticipation!

Richard

[johnboy]

He was originally ASC. No RTS 1699 , Remounts Special?

Where did his transfer doc come from?

[Ourfamily]

I found the Transfer Document on www.findmypast.co.uk last night. It actually says Discharge Documents but the Discharge word is crossed out and replaced by Transfer. It does show, as you say, that he was in the ASC when he first joined up (9th December 1914) and looks like he was transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles on 5th August 1917 and was reported missing on 24 March 1918. Shows he was then a POW in Germany and repatriated on 25 November 1918.

I haven't seen anything to indicate Remount Specials - what does this mean? Is there anyway of tracking his movements in France before he went missing also his time as a POW?

Thanks for your reply - I do appreciate your help and hope you may be able to answer my questions.

Regards, Richard

[johnboy]

The prefix to his service number [RTS].

If you go to Long Long Trail, top left of page, Put prefixes in search box and follow link.

If you then put in ASC it will show the complexity of the units and may give info on remounts. Same again for RIR which should show battalions and battles.

[Ourfamily]

Thanks very much - I'll have a go!

[johnboy]

Did you find what you were looking for, Richard?