Lewis Gunner and Machine Gunner?

[KFor7007]

A quick question. I hope I don't show my absolute lack of knowledge and experience here. I'm doing a little research on my wife's grandfather, who was a Lewis Gunner in the 2/4 Lincolnshire Regiment. Going through his belongings...he has a Lincs cap badge, Lewis Gunner arm badges, all as expected. BUT he also has a MGC cap badge. It's possible that he acquired this at some point, but is it likely or possible he could have served as both Lewis Gunner and Machine Gunner and the two different badges were his by right?

Any help and clarification would be appreciated.

[jay dubaya]

There is a likelihood that he was transferred to the MGC, what's his name?

[KFor7007]

I have his war records, and I can't see any evidence of that. He is Frederick Salmon 202046. Thanks.

[Andrew Upton]

... Lewis Gunner arm badges, all as expected. BUT he also has a MGC cap badge...

When you say MGC cap badge, do you mean the badge of the crossed Vickers/Maxims surmounted by the Kings Crown, or a wreathed MG? The latter skill at arms badge was used by all the different types of qualified machine gunners until 1917, when the various HG, LG, etc, badges came into use.

[KFor7007]

I mean the crossed vickers guns.

[Bingo794]

Hi, just looking in on the mention of the Linc R.

Just looking at Fred Salmons' records, there is a form on page 17325 on which is written in the 'Regiment or Corps' section, '1st Linc & (what looks like?) Mg Con Depot or Inf Com Depot?'.

Having being wounded and returning to service when the war ended, he had possibly gone through MG training at Grantham as the war ended.

There is another point, too. He was given the No.20727. It is normal for these TF men to have the short pre-1917 number (5314 for Fred) and post-1917 number (202046) both noted for joining up around mid-Feb 1916.

The five digit number 20727 was from a number sequence which suggests that he was a member of a Supernumerary Company. These numbers were introduced in mid-1915 for TF men who were possibly unfit for front line duty and could be utilised for guarding prisoners or railways. This number did not appear on the MIC as it was a home service number

I dont think it was anything to do with his training on MGs.

Below is Fred's Medal Roll entry.

[kenf48]

As you say there is no indication he ever served in the MGC however his discharge papers show his 'place of rejoining in event of emergency' as Harrowby Camp, Grantham acknowledging this may be coincidence as he lived relatively nearby but this camp was also the location of the Machine Gun Corps Training School. It also seem he was at the dispersal unit at Harrowby Camp on the 04/01/1919. There is a posting on the (?)12/11/1918 but it's initials (?) RO 2 I ? ?

(p 17316) perhaps that's when he went to the Infantry Command Depot.

There is no indication on the record he was transferred to the MGC, had he done so he would be on their medal rolls (as the last unit served in) and is not, on the other hand could the mystery posting be an attachment and he acquired the badge at Harrowby Camp? I doubt you'll ever know for certain.

Ken

[KFor7007]

Many thanks for these last two posts guys. I'm really grateful for your efforts. As you say, perhaps I'll never know the definitive answer, but you've given some food for thought.

Cheers

Keith

[Bingo794]

Yes Ken.

Looks like he may have had a post-war posting which wouldn't be listed on his MIC.

Just looking at the Medal Roll, there is another man who served with the 2/4th and 1st Lincs., No.202048 Pte. Walter Smaller.

He too has a 5-digit 209** number and looks to have followed the same path as FS. It may have more detail or may give a clue.

I haven't time at the moment to look through it.

(Work getting in the way!)

No problem, Keith.

We love the challenge of unravelling WW1 service records.

Rick W