fullscott Posted 27 April , 2015 Share Posted 27 April , 2015 There are some very knowledgeable people here, so I'm hoping you can help me! (That's the soft soap intro ...) I have a gt-uncle (William COPLEY) who I know served in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt) - there's an article in a 1914 newspaper, reporting that he lost a hand & finger from a German shell. I can't find his Service or Pension Records, but there are Medals & a Silver War Badge for a William Copley, Pte 9258, Notts & Derby, discharged June 1915. On one card it notes that he joined on 30 March 1904. Yet in 1911 he was a Coal Miner in Nottingham. Married in 1909. My question is - could this be the same man? From reading WW1 Service Records (it's my hobby, sad I know) I've noticed that several men just had to appear for training once per year. I assume that's like todays Territorials? I'd be grateful if someone could stop me guessing! In the meantime, I'll go on reading the Records. I know he's in there somewhere, just not in the right file. (I've found hundreds of mis-filed men, but Murphy's Law says that none of them are the ones I'm looking for!) Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 27 April , 2015 Share Posted 27 April , 2015 I have a gt-uncle (William COPLEY) who I know served in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt) - there's an article in a 1914 newspaper, reporting that he lost a hand & finger from a German shell. I can't find his Service or Pension Records, but there are Medals & a Silver War Badge for a William Copley, Pte 9258, Notts & Derby, discharged June 1915. On one card it notes that he joined on 30 March 1904. In 1904 the the standard option for a service period of 3 & 9, 3 years with the colours and then 9 as a reservist, for an infantry man so the dates would be OK in that respect. My question is - could this be the same man? From reading WW1 Service Records (it's my hobby, sad I know) I've noticed that several men just had to appear for training once per year. I assume that's like todays Territorials? If you think that's sad you've not come across those who can identify the style of button on a uniform from 20 yards in the dark. The men who would appear for training once a year would probably be special reservists (the territorials drilled most weeks and attended an annual camp). Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 27 April , 2015 Share Posted 27 April , 2015 His Army Number is exactly consistent with enlistments in 1904-05. As a 3 & 9 man he would have been a Reservist and mobilised on 5th Aug 1914. Disembarked on 8th Sep 1914 in France, which means he served with the 2nd Battalion. Battalion based at Whittington Barracks, Sheffield, then went to Edinburgh then Midsommer Common Cambridge. Departed UK on 8th Sep 1914 on the SS Georgian. 18th Inf Bde, 6th Div. He was part of the original battalion. Discharged 17th Jun 1915. There is a very good history of the 1st and 2nd battalions and the war diary cost £3.30 from the National Archives website. MG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullscott Posted 28 April , 2015 Author Share Posted 28 April , 2015 Thank you Craig & MG. Now it all makes sense and I am 99% certain that they are the same man. Gratefully, Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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