greenman126 Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 I'm completing some research into family members for an elderly relative and she asked about the soldier mentioned above. Ernest Reginald Edkins - born 06 January 1899. In 1911 he was living at 1 St. Thomas Terrace, Granville Street, Birmingham with his mother and siblings. Family stories say he enlisted when he was 14 years old and his DoB would suggest this was the case. I have tracked some medal information which gives the following information. 10/18992 - Lancashire Regiment 16/45793 - Royal Irish Rifles 268091 - Monmouthsire Regiment The theatre of war given is '2b Balkans' and qualifying date '19/11/15'. Other family stories mention that he served as 'Batman' to a Major Strong whilst with the Royal Irish Rifles. Is there anything else the service/regimental numbers can tell me about his service and the dates he served with the various Regiments? Any help/advice gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 I'm completing some research into family members for an elderly relative and she asked about the soldier mentioned above. Ernest Reginald Edkins - born 06 January 1899. In 1911 he was living at 1 St. Thomas Terrace, Granville Street, Birmingham with his mother and siblings. Family stories say he enlisted when he was 14 years old and his DoB would suggest this was the case. I have tracked some medal information which gives the following information. 10/18992 - Lancashire Regiment 16/45793 - Royal Irish Rifles 268091 - Monmouthsire Regiment The theatre of war given is '2b Balkans' and qualifying date '19/11/15'. Other family stories mention that he served as 'Batman' to a Major Strong whilst with the Royal Irish Rifles. Is there anything else the service/regimental numbers can tell me about his service and the dates he served with the various Regiments? Any help/advice gratefully received. From a quick look at service records: #18994 appears to have been allocated April 1915. #45772 appears to have been allocated April 1918 Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 18911 attested 10th South Lancs 27/4/1915. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitchener's Bugle Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 Note that is Medal Index Card also states him as class Z - which is of course reservist, after hostilities ceased. There is a marriage record of:- Name: Ernest Reginald Edkins Gender: Male Birth Year: abt 1899 Marriage Date: 21 Nov 1921 Marriage Age: 22 Marriage Place: Birmingham, St Thomas, Warwickshire, England Spouse: Laura Harbour Spouse Gender: Female Spouse Marriage Age: 21 Father: William Reymald Edkins Spouse's Father: Thomas Harbour Is this your relative? If so then this confirms his date of Birth as 1899 with him being in Theatre in 1915 as confirmed by his MIC, So at the very least he was 16 Years Old, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenman126 Posted 9 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 9 January , 2016 (edited) Thanks all for the info so far. Yes - 'Kitchener's Bugle' that is Ernest. I've also spent the afternoon trying to track down the 'Major Strong' referred to in the family stories, but no luck so far! Edited 9 January , 2016 by greenman126 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 Thanks all for the info so far. Yes - 'Kitchener's Bugle' that is Ernest. I've also spent the afternoon trying to track down the 'Major Strong' referred to in the family stories, but no luck so far! There are no Medal Index Cards to a Major Strong with the RIR's. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenman126 Posted 9 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 9 January , 2016 Cheers Craig - I'm drawing a blank everywhere as well. I'm starting to think facts may well be mixed up due to time, so going to see if a Major Strong served in any of the other Regiments Ernest served with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 I suspect the officer you are after is Stronge, Charles Norman Lockhart - Capt in RIR http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5429604 More on him here, I thought I recognised the name https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Stronge London Gazette gives R.I.R - Temp. Capt. C. N. L. Stronge, M.C., from R. Innis. Fus., to be temp. Capt. (withseniority 2 July 1916) and to be Adjt. 7 Apr. 1918. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 He had a sad death Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 9 January , 2016 Share Posted 9 January , 2016 Tough one determining who he went to Gallipoli with. Can't have been any of the Bns listed on his Medal Rolls. 3 and 10 South Lancs were Resevre Bns based in UK. I would suggest 6 South Lancs is the most likely candidate. Monmouths and 16 RIR didn't serve there. Rgds Tim D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenman126 Posted 9 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 9 January , 2016 Again many thanks to all - I'm always amazed by the response. Lots to follow up, especially the lead for Capt. Stronge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkinsaj Posted 6 February , 2016 Share Posted 6 February , 2016 Iam the grt grandson of Ernest and just noticed your post through google. Everything you have put down I have found to. It istrue about him being Major Strong or Stronge batman.I know this has somewhere in my fathers belongings to Ernest we hve a photo of him and Im not sure if there is a wedding invitation there to will have to check next time im at my fathers whom im guessing you might know. Has for Ernest my father has his medals and did go to Gallipolli but was sent back with disentry has far as im aware Regards Andrew Edkins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkinsaj Posted 7 February , 2016 Share Posted 7 February , 2016 Please find attached a pic of Ernest Reginald Edkins the said above soldier. From the cap badge it was taken when in the Sth Lancs regiment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 7 February , 2016 Share Posted 7 February , 2016 Thanks for posting that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 7 February , 2016 Share Posted 7 February , 2016 Yes, thanks edkinaj Out of interest, how are you related to the relative mentioned in the first post in this thread ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkinsaj Posted 7 February , 2016 Share Posted 7 February , 2016 He is my great grandad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenman126 Posted 7 February , 2016 Author Share Posted 7 February , 2016 Hi edkinsja - be great to discuss all this further. It would appear we are related! I'll send you a PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkinsaj Posted 14 February , 2016 Share Posted 14 February , 2016 Found the name of the Major Strong mentioned in earlier posts so need to find out about him Frederick Charles Strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkinsaj Posted 14 February , 2016 Share Posted 14 February , 2016 Sorry captain Strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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