oxlade134 Posted 20 October , 2014 Share Posted 20 October , 2014 1st FSG Somerset Light Infantry listed in the Medal Roll but cant seem to figure it out for certain, is it the First Somerset Garrison Bn.? It certainly fits the man George Blencowe I am researching when his sister Mabel (a nurse) died in France in Mar 1917 in her records George was last recorded at Winnall Down Camp Winchester. From this site 1st Garrison Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was formed in Plymouth in January 1917 and moved to India in February 1917. Subsequently it joined Rawalpindi Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WDPyke Posted 5 September , 2015 Share Posted 5 September , 2015 I am also trying to figure out what is meant in the medal rolls by 1 F.S.G. Bn. Som LI. There were quite a few men listed in it - Is there any one out there who knows for sure if this was the Garrison unit, perhaps in India? Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 5 September , 2015 Share Posted 5 September , 2015 There is a single page for 35093 William Budd which states "1st FS Garrison Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry". Is FS Foreign Service as opposed to Home Service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 September , 2015 Share Posted 5 September , 2015 There is a single page for 35093 William Budd state "1st FS Garrison Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry". Is FS Foreign Service as opposed to Home Service? Yes, I believe so. The SLI had only one garrison battalion and it was formed at Plymouth for service in India, where it deployed in Feb 1917.Some larger regiments, as well as FS garrison battalions, also formed garrison battalions for home service, although these latter all became part of the Royal Defence Corps by the wars end. They were in effect a resurrection of the old invalid battalions, with a large number of veterans and recovered wounded no longer fit for overseas service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WDPyke Posted 6 September , 2015 Share Posted 6 September , 2015 Thanks. That makes such sense - I was reading it as F.S.G.; but really it needs to be read as if there was a space between the FS and the G, and then it all fits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy@62 Posted 9 January , 2019 Share Posted 9 January , 2019 I am researching 275522 Pte Alfred George Plummer. His Medal Roll records him as being in 1 F.S.G Bn Som L.I. I believe this might be "Fire Support Group"", which would make sense for an infantry regiment. The puzzle is why they would be formed as an stand-alone battalion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 9 January , 2019 Share Posted 9 January , 2019 (edited) Your man served in the 1st Foreign Service Battalion Somerset Light Infantry so the puzzle posed in your post does not arise. The term Fire Support Group is a modern convention. Dave Edited 9 January , 2019 by HERITAGE PLUS Typo correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy@62 Posted 9 January , 2019 Share Posted 9 January , 2019 So what does the "G" stand for and where did this battalion serve? I can find no record in all searches for SLI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 9 January , 2019 Share Posted 9 January , 2019 The "G" stands for Garrison, as in 1st (Foreign Service) Garrison Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, more usually referred to as just 1st Garrison Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. From Long Long Trail site..... 1st Garrison Battalion Formed in Plymouth in January 1917. Moved to India in February 1917. Joined Rawalpindi Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy@62 Posted 10 January , 2019 Share Posted 10 January , 2019 22 hours ago, SteveE said: The "G" stands for Garrison, as in 1st (Foreign Service) Garrison Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, more usually referred to as just 1st Garrison Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. From Long Long Trail site..... 1st Garrison Battalion Formed in Plymouth in January 1917. Moved to India in February 1917. Joined Rawalpindi Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. Steve Thanks Steve. All now explained. There is a dearth of information and what there is is hidden away. Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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