Richard Coxon Flowers. Lincolnshire Regt.

[david west]

I am researching a Pte Richard Coxon Flowers 48003. He enlisted into the Lincolnshire Regt on 29.3.1917, he later transferred to the Labour Corps with the number 28975. Richard was discharged on 28.8.1918.

I know a little about this man, born in 1896 Durham, married a Durham lady in 1930. I dont know if he had any children, but i do know that he died in 1971, also Durham.

Can any of the experts find out which Btn he served with ? it would be fantastic to know what this man went through during the war, where he served etc.

David

[GraemeClarke]

Hi David

He was in the Labour Corps with regimental number 28975

Nothing on medal roll regarding which battalion,

Regards,

Graeme

[Stebie9173]

The low numbered men in the Labour Corps were men transferred from Infantry Labour Companies of Infantry Regiments - these were generally men who had been categorised as "B" medical grade which meant that they were fit for duty overseas but not at the "A1" fitness required for infantry duty.

Numbers 28801 to 29400 were issued to the 10th Infantry Labour Company of the Lincolnshire Regiment which converted to 49th Company of the Labour Corps (Source "No Labour, No Battle"). Most of these companies were formed in the spring of 1917 and went overseas as part of their parent Regiment (after minimal infantry training) before converting to Labour Corps companies in France/Flanders within a few weeks. As mentioned, they were used on behind the lines duty, though some saw action when caught up in counter offensives such as that at Cambrai and in March 1918, especially the latter.

His date of enlistment was 29-3-1917 not 1918.

Steve.

[david west]

Thanks Graeme & Steve....(i have corrected my mistakes in my original post, thanks....bad eyesite !).

[Old Scalyback]

Hi David

given an enlistment date of 29/3/1918 and discharge date of 28/8/1918, 5 months is insufficient time to complete basic training, serve overseas in the infantry, be wounded,recover, transfer to the labour corps and be discharged. I suspect this is a case of a man previously found unfit for service, re examined in 1918 and blagged his way past the medical examination. Lacking the stamina for infantry training and reassessed in Category B, transferred to the Labour Corps and sent overseas, Still lacking sufficient stamina and discharged as unfit. It is a common failing of Labour corps records not to record the battalion of men transferred in, they also have a habit of recording training and home service units as previous service in the medal rolls. It may be worthwhile trolling through the Local newspaper archives for Durham and Lincoln to see if he appears on a casualty list. My grandfather was a Cheshire Bantam transferred to the labour corps, battalion not recorded on the Medal roll but both Bantam battalions were brigaded together so not a big problem, Gassed on the Somme in 1916 he was named on a casualty list in a Birkenhead paper (despite being a Londoner).

regards Brian

Given Steve's post I stand corrected, the revised enlistment date changes my assessment. given your location in Denmark you might contact the Lincolnshire regimental museum as it was the Cheshire regiment museum that found my Grandfather in the casualty list.

[david west]

Old Scaleyback (Brian) i made a typing error in my first post, that has now been corrected, Richard enlisted on 29-3-1917. Sorry for the confusion, but thanks for the most valuable info & ideas.

David

(PS old scalyback = ex R.Signals ?)

[Old Scalyback]

Yes David I was a bleep served Cyprus, Libya, Germany (attached 19th Panzer grenadier Brigade), Colchester (19th Air portable Brigade) Ulster (HQNI Op Vengeful, plain clothes) all in the 1970s. Just Haven't got around to updating my profile.

[david west]

Have PM'd you Brian. Thanks.