ASC Service numbers

[AlanCrax]

Is there a logic to the way in which service numbers were allocated by the ASC in WW1? In other words, if sequential, can you tell roughly when a man enlisted from his number?

Already mentioned in a previous post, I have Henry Craxford born 1894 (many records survive) who joined the ASC in 1914 with the number M2/021641 (Interestingly his family lived in Fenton Street, Leeds which I gather was very near to Harewood Barracks, the home of the ASC (Territorials)) Henry was a chauffeur in civilian life.

My query comes about regarding Frank Percival Field, born 1889 who became Henry's brother in law in 1914. Frank was also a chauffeur. He too joined the ASC but apart from a medal roll page I haven't found any other records. His number was M2/120081 - Could this help identify when he enlisted? (He was able to father two daughters, born 1916 and 1918!)

Cheers Alan

[kenf48]

They follow a certain logic, not always transparent but:-

M2/120059 Elston attested Birmingham 1/9/11915 Joined ASC Grove Park 3/9/1915

M2/120088. Wood attested Bradford 1/9/1915 Joined ASC Grove Park 3/9/1915

So your man probably went to Grove Park the same day

Ken

[AlanCrax]

Many thanks - that's most helpful Ken

Alan

[Gardenerbill]

On 05/01/2016 at 11:21, kenf48 said:

They follow a certain logic, not always transparent but:-

M2/120059 Elston attested Birmingham 1/9/11915 Joined ASC Grove Park 3/9/1915

M2/120088. Wood attested Bradford 1/9/1915 Joined ASC Grove Park 3/9/1915

So your man probably went to Grove Park the same day

Ken

 

Ken, Have you got a more extensive list of numbers and dates?

[kenf48]

6 hours ago, Gardenerbill said:

 

Ken, Have you got a more extensive list of numbers and dates?

 

Unfortunately not, my list is on FMP happy to help if I can

 

Ken

[Gardenerbill]

Ken,

What I am trying to do is put together a list of numbers and dates for reference as an approximate guide to when a number was issued and therefore when a soldier might have enlisted/transferred, primarily for my own research but also to help others.

 

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

On 22/11/2016 at 21:50, Gardenerbill said:

Ken,

What I am trying to do is put together a list of numbers and dates for reference as an approximate guide to when a number was issued and therefore when a soldier might have enlisted/transferred, primarily for my own research but also to help others.

 

I had been doing something similar, I was going through the DM2/179*** series.

The first interesting fact I came across was that so many records in this sequence have survived, I reckon 70%+.

 

This is the cohort of men from 179000-179020, whose records survive (16/20)

	DM2/	Attested	Joined
			Grove Park
Henry John Hacker	179002	01/12/1915	19/05/1916
John Ephraim Tubb	179003	09/12/1915	19/05/1916
Frank James Poulter	179004	20/11/1915	15/05/1916
William Frederick Gray	179005	11/12/1915	18/05/1916
Leo Thomas Arundel	179006	11/12/1915	13/05/1916
Bertie Edward Cannell	179007	12/05/1916	13/05/1916
Stevensen Philip Malcolm	179008	27/01/1916	27/05/1916
Charles Gates	179010	16/05/1916	29/05/1916
Peter D'Arcy	179012	24/05/1916	28/05/1916
Alexander Ironside	179013	11/12/1915	25/05/1916
Hubert Howarth	179014	?24/05/1916	25/05/1916
Fred Vickers Stacey	179015	10/12/1915	26/05/1916
William Andrew White	179016	19/05/1916	27/05/1916
Walter Henry Short	179017	22/01/1916	27/05/1916
George Henry Coppard	179019	10/12/1915	27/05/1916
William Murray	179020	14/01/1916	27/05/1916

 

It looks as all but Cannell, Gates, D'Arcy & White were Derby Scheme volunteers in late 1915.

All of these entrants were then transferred to the Learners Section on either 22/05/1916, or on 29/05/1916.

So there does appear to be some logic to the numbering.

I think that the DM/179*** number is written in the same handwriting on all the forms.

That would imply that they were done at the same time, I wonder if that happened on the day they joined the Learner's Section?

 

[Gardenerbill]

Dai,

There's an old thread where Craig postded some of the early numbers he has logged with M1/ starting in September 1914 running to mid november 1914 when the M2/ numbers start:

 

M1 & M2

[bullyman]

 

Hi Ken, any light you can shine on ASC  Reg No.   147842 which belonged

to my GF I know he was initially a motor driver when he enlisted in 1915

as he had been a chauffeur.  

 

cheers

 

alan

[kenf48]

On 25/11/2016 at 13:27, bullyman said:

 

Hi Ken, any light you can shine on ASC  Reg No.   147842 which belonged

to my GF I know he was initially a motor driver when he enlisted in 1915

as he had been a chauffeur.  

 

cheers

 

alan

 

Not a lot

 

M2/147824 Broadhurst enlisted 5 November 1915 to BEF 2 December 1915.  On the 8th December he was posted as an ambulance driver to 4 M.A.C. (561972 Labour Corps)

 

M2/147842 J. Brown enlisted ? November 1915 To BEF 2 December 1915 Did he go with Broadhurst?

 

M2/147846 Fuller  enlisted 11 November 1915 to Grove Park 12/11/1915 To BEF ? after 31/12/1915 (No Star).

 

Broadhurst and Brown were 'special enlistments' I.e couple of weeks basic, driving test the Army way and off to France.  Brown later transferred to the infantry, DCLI.

 

Ken

Edited 26 November , 2016 by kenf48

[bullyman]

Hi Ken, been dormant for ages, no idea if J Brown my GF went with Broadhurst.  

I now have pics of No. 4 MAC and C section could well contain Broadhurst as well.

Any idea when Brown would have gone to DCLI by any chance.

 

cheers

 

alan