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32405 PWO (West Yorkshire Regiment) 1st Pals?


Bradford WW1 Group

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TE Senior died 27 February 1917 and is buried in Owl Trench. Whilst the story of this is well known, I wonder if anyone can help with the origin of the man's service number? I've come across plenty of 11 East Lancs men drafted in from Cyclist Battalions whilst the units were in Egypt (numbers beginning 27 . . .) but not this batch beginning 32 . . .

Thanks

Tricia

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32405 Thomas Edward SENIOR was 16 Battalion West Yorkshire (1st Bradford),MIC Index says East Yorkshire but clear enough on both the MIC and SDGW as West Yorkshire.

A sample of service numbers gives 32394 and 32207 as Dec 1915 enlist.

Thomas was born and enlisted Leeds.

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Many thanks, Sotonmate. A little further investigation shows that a couple of other men in Owl Trench (FS Mair 32407 and E Pratt 32843) were also from Leeds. Using CWGC website it's possible to track down several more - one captured that day and died as PoW.

Your suggestion fits most of them: a draft, recruited in Leeds by West Yorks Regiment late in 1915, trained up then assigned to 16th Battalion. Nothing at all unusual.

Tricia

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  • 3 weeks later...

Good evening Tricia.

There is a Court of Enquiry that records Senior killed with "A" Company.

Numbers 32*** seem to be quite apparent in the Battalion. Must have been a large draft at some stage.

Saying that, an unusual series of numbers.

All the best.

Chris.

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The number sequence 324** would appear to be quite widespread amongst other Battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment.

In the case of the 16th (Service) Battalion (1st Bradfords), West Yorkshire Regiment, and Senior, in my own opinion, he joined the Battalion in October 1916, part of a number of Drafts to the latter throughout the course of the month.

Furthermore, as Soton has stated, enlistment, Leeds, as are most of the chaps in this sequence. May coincide with the opening of the 'new' Recruitment Office in Leeds City Square.

All the best.

Chris.

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