'George Drinkwater' 27-9-14 Uniform clues?

[Simon_Fielding]

Not sure of the uniform - Scottish regiment? Musician? NCO?

An early one from my collection - might try again to ID him. Quite faded and nothing on reverse. Bilingual 'carte postale' ...

Lots of George D's on the 14 Star Roll!

[Graham Stewart]

Bugler Rifle Brigade or Kings Royal Rifles?

[Simon_Fielding]

Thanks for the tip Graham.

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Simon

This may be a red herring but just in case;

George Drinkwater born 1872 Frackley, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Enlisted Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry on 9 July 1890. Service No: 3409

Aged 18 years and 2months. Discharged 1902 medically unfit.

Could he have re-enlisted in 1914?

Dave

[Simon_Fielding]

Definitely a possible Dave - thank you.

G Drinkwater Private Rifle Brigade 9315 1914-15 Star ??

George HenryDrinkwater Private Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 49850

British War Medal and Victory Medal

[Simon_Fielding]

Do these look similar?

[HERITAGE PLUS]

They do to me Simon.

[Simon_Fielding]

Seems he was a Tank Corps DCM:

Auchy 8/8/18

[ghchurcher]

Hi there, I have George's medals in my collection and have posted some info on him here:-

http://www.britishmedalforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=162&t=64145

George Drinkwater

Born 1884

Enlisted as Private 9315 Rifle Brigade 11th October 1902, his trade being a labourer serving at home till 17/04/1904 and in Malta till 15/11/1905.

After eight years service he was transferred to Army Reserve on 14th November 1910 and with permission he relocated to India. Mobilised from reserve in India he was attached to 10th Middlesex Regiment on 26th August 1914. He was posted to 2nd Rifle Brigade 29th August 1914 and then to 4th Rifle Brigade on 2nd September 1914. Transferred as attachment to 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment on 11th February 1915 the battalion was sent overseas with the Persian Gulf Expeditionary Force, embarking from Bombay on 16/08/1915 and landing in Mesopotamia 24/08/1915. He was slightly wounded in action on 28/09/1915. He returned to India on 22/11/1915 before transferring to Rifle Brigade Depot in UK on 18th January 1916, and being discharged 26th January 1916.

Re-enlisted as Private 29245 22nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 1st June 1916 and appointed unpaid Lance Corporal 01/07/1916 and acting Corporal 13/07/1916. Transferred to 16th Battalion Rifle Brigade and BEF France on 24/11/1916.

Transferred to Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch) on 17/01/1917 and posted to “D” Battalion. Promoted Corporal 10/07/1917 and Sergeant on 06/11/1917. Wounded in Action on 8th August 1918 he was posted to Depot 28/08/1918 and finally to Reserve on Demobilisation 22/03/1919.

Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV) (76226 Sjt 4/Tank Corps); 1914/15 Star (9315 Pte Rif Brig); 1914/18 British War Medal & 1914/18 Victory Medal (9315 Sgt Rif Brig) MID; France, Medaille Militaire.

[Simon_Fielding]

That's just what I was working on Geoffrey! Thanks for posting. I was amused by his charge sheets which are quite extensive, especially his leave of absence during Christmas 1918. Well deserved AWOL and a token punishment...

If you'd like a full scan of the photo, PM me.

Best

Simon