Kev R Posted 27 July , 2014 Share Posted 27 July , 2014 I am trying to trace the footsteps of my wifes relative, Oliver Stanley Dack of the RHG (Blues), he died on the 17th August 1916 and is buried in Authuile Military Cemetery in the Somme. I am not a military guy myself and am having some difficulty understanding exactly where he would have been fighting, whether he would have been part of the July 1st battle and what ultimately led to his death. I am presuming he would have been taken to Authuile as it was used by field ambulances up until December 1916 but may be wide of the mark here. Any help on any of this would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gem22 Posted 27 July , 2014 Share Posted 27 July , 2014 This will be no help whatsoever but you will do well to read it! http://www.1914-1918.net/3cavdiv.htm Garth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev R Posted 27 July , 2014 Author Share Posted 27 July , 2014 Thanks for this, yes had seen it previously and believe it shows he could/would have been in either the 7th or 8th MGC Brigade as they are the only ones that were formed from the RHG? Don't know however whether that's a safe assumption to make though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 27 July , 2014 Share Posted 27 July , 2014 I'd assume 8th; the Blues spent a very short time in the 7th Brigade before transferring to the 8th; I'd suspect that by the time MG Squadrons were formed all RHG personnel would have been with 8th Cavalry Brigade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johntanner Posted 27 July , 2014 Share Posted 27 July , 2014 Looks like he had an interesting pre-War career. As a 17 year old assistant caretaker he served in the East Kent Fortress Coy. (TF) RE, before attesting into the Special Reserve of the Royal West Kents in 1912. In March 1913 he was recommended to join the RHG, reporting to Hyde Park Barracks. .Joined the Regt. 14 March 1913. Injured on duty 30 July 1913, when thrown and kicked by his horse at Combermere Barracks. Admitted to hospital for treatment of VD in October and November 1914. To France 7 April 1915, joining RHG. 1st March 1916 attached 8th MG Squadron. L/Cpl. 12 July 1916. Kia 17 August 1916. Service record is amongst Pension Records on Ancestry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev R Posted 27 July , 2014 Author Share Posted 27 July , 2014 Great stuff gents, thanks for your efforts, very much appreciated. Would you have any idea how I can establish what trenches his squadron would have been fighting from/to. Am going over there early August so would like to walk in his footsteps.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Posted 27 July , 2014 Share Posted 27 July , 2014 Don't know whether you'll get trench names but for local detail here are the War Diaries for 8 Machine Gun Squadron from Feb 16 to Feb 18 downloadable for £3.30 or free at Kew (or via one of our experts..). If you do find trenches I recommend Edward1 here at the forum who may be able to help you out with a trench map. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev R Posted 27 July , 2014 Author Share Posted 27 July , 2014 Many thanks Mike. Will have a good look through these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev R Posted 28 July , 2014 Author Share Posted 28 July , 2014 Have just looked at the war diaries for the 8th MG Squadron and on the 17th August they were based(?) in Auchy-Lez-Hesdin and it's noted that in 1&2 sections "1 O.R. (RHG) killed, 3 O.R. (RHG) wounded (1 since deceased)". In the remarks column it says "Throughout the 9 days spent in LEIPZIG REDOUBT Nos. 1&2 sections kept up intermittent fire on various points with the object of harassing the enemy. They fired a total of over 50,000 rounds." I'm guessing my man could well have been the wounded O.R. that subsequently died, hence his final resting place at Authuile which was being used by field ambulances? A couple of follow up questions gents, - excuse my ignorance but what's an O.R.? - am I right to interpret from "days spent in LEIPZIG REDOUBT" that the Leipzig Redoubt was still in our hands on the 17th August, hence my man was likely based there when wounded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Posted 28 July , 2014 Share Posted 28 July , 2014 OR is Other Rank (than an Officer). And here's a previous topic about the Leipzig Redoubt Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev R Posted 28 July , 2014 Author Share Posted 28 July , 2014 Thank you Mike, et al, this is as good as I'm going to get I think and better than I expected. Appreciate your time gents. I'll be taking the Mrs to the Leipzig Redoubt next week to pay our respects. Let nobody say I don't know how to treat a Lady! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mychess51 Posted 12 August , 2014 Share Posted 12 August , 2014 Does anyone have any idea who the attached might be or how I could find out? unknown RHG.docx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mychess51 Posted 12 August , 2014 Share Posted 12 August , 2014 Sorry I had trouble uploading and had to put in a word file. If anyone can put directly in the thread it would be much better. My granddad was in the Blues in WW1 he kept this particular photo in his wallet but I don't know who it is or why it remained in his wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Posted 14 August , 2014 Share Posted 14 August , 2014 Hi mychess51, You'd do best to post afresh rather than be lost in this thread - either in Soldiers or in Paraphernalia of War which specialises in uniforms. Mike Sorry I had trouble uploading and had to put in a word file. If anyone can put directly in the thread it would be much better. My granddad was in the Blues in WW1 he kept this particular photo in his wallet but I don't know who it is or why it remained in his wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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