Pte. James Townsend 2nd Bn. South Staffs Regt.

[Pennlass]

Pte. James Townsend Reg. No. 9292 2nd Bn. South Staffs Regt.

 

I have been researching my family history for quite a while and have a lot of information and documents regarding my great grandfather and his seven brothers, who all served in the First World War. I would welcome some help please in making sense of the information gathered so that I can get a better understanding of what these brave men endured.

 

I am currently focusing on the youngest of these brothers,James Townsend born in 1897 and died on 30th July 1916. His medal index card indicates he died of wounds and the Register of soldiers’ effects records this was at No. 21 casualtyclearing station. He is buried at La Neuville British Cemetery.

 

I cannot find his service records.  I would love to understand more about where he may have been fighting and what he and his fellow soldiers experienced, these stories are so important. I would be so grateful for any help in pointing me in the right direction for further research.

 

Thank you

 

[clk]

Hi Pennlass,

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Unfortunately, James doesn't appear to have a surviving service record. However, using Forum Pal Craig's calculator the £9 war gratuity payment (shown in his Soldier's Effects record you have) is indicative of a man who had eligible service from the outset of the war in August 1914. His 14 Star Medal roll record shows that he arrived in France on 28th November 1914. This is after the 2nd Battalion initially arrived on 13th August 1914. In the Victory & British War Medals roll record his service number is prefixed by '3/', so it seems that he was sent as an early reinforcement (per Ken's post #4 below).

 

The Battalion war diary is here at the National Archives, or here on Ancestry. It will show a short description of events on a day by day basis, but is unlikely to mention him by name though. If you were to want more contextual detail it is often worth looking at the appropriate Brigade HQ, and Division HQ diaries, as they often contain maps, orders, reports etc that aren't in the Battalion diary.

 

He appears to have a surviving 'Soldier's Will'. It probably won't add anything to what you already know.

 

There is advice on researching soldiers on the LLT here

 

Good luck with your research.

 

Regards

Chris

 

Edit (2.7.16) Incorrect information deleted

[Pennlass]

Thank you so much Chris. Going to have a look at all those now. Once I have found all I can about James I will be back as I have lots of questions about the other brothers! Thanks again

[kenf48]

The 3/ prefix invariably means enlistment in the Special Reserve, in this case around May 1914.  The SR was a form of part time service and they were mobilised on the declaration of war in August 1914.  They were posted to the regular battalions and formed a large part of the original BEF although, as in this case, they usually arrived in theatre a few weeks after the main body.

 

Ken

 

 

[Pennlass]

I didn't know there was so much you could get from these records. 

Reading the war diary it says they were at Delville Wood in the days prior to his death on 30th July 1916. 

I wasn't aware you could get the will and I have already sent for it. It might not say much but it is a precious memory of someone who died so young. It's probably not surprising he signed up so young with 7 older brothers already serving.

Thank you both so much

 

[kenf48]

He enlisted, legitimately,  in the SR aged 17.   They were required to do six months full time training on enlistment.

See http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/enlisting-into-the-army/british-army-reserves-and-reservists/

 

Before the war the Army believed men under twenty were not strong enough to withstand the rigours of service overseas.  When war was declared there was a general rule that meant men of nineteen were sent to France.

 

Technically, and actually, James was under age for overseas service in August, he also may not have completed his training.  Both factors probably delayed his posting on active service overseas until November, when he was still under age.

 

 It has to be said such young men were often desperate to join the fray fearing it would be over before they came of age and pestered their senior officers to do so. After the early losses in the BEF those officers would have been less concerned about the 'rules' and sent him to France as a reinforcement.

 

Ken