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WO1 RSM Arthur Charles Acteson RFA


flatdog

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I am researching my great grandfather, Arthur Charles Acteson.  The information I have so far is as follows:

 

He joined the army in Oct 1898

 

In 1911 he was a sergeant in 69 Bty, 7 Bde RFA in Rawalpindi

 

In 1912 he returned to the UK

 

On 1st Aug 1914 he is listed as RSM on the list of 'Embodied and Effective Soldiers of the Cardiganshire Battery, 2nd Welsh Brigade RFA' at an address in Aberystwyth.

 

In know that he went to France and was badly wounded.  I have his silver war badge record and medal record card.

 

His regimental number was 1032.

 

My problem is that the medal record card shows his unit as 7 Bde RFA and this unit apparently stayed in India for the duration of WWI.  I cannot find his service records but would love to find out which unit(s) he served in in France to see if there is a battery or regimental history that might give me some more information.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thank you.

 

Philip

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Dear Simon,

 

Thank you, unfortunately this site only seems to collate the information that I have already gathered using ancestry.co.uk.

 

Regards,

 

Philip

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10 hours ago, charlie962 said:

I take it you have seen the brief Service Record where he first joined the Rifle Brigade then transferred to the Artillery? Here on FindMyPast

 

Charlie962

Dear Charlie,

 

Thank you - yes I have this record.

 

Philip

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The 7 Res Bde RFA idea makes sense.  Wounded in France and then held on the nominal roll of 7 Res Bde until discharge either recovering or in some training capacity.  The problem is that on his SWB record the 'Unit Discharged From' id definitely '7 Bde' whereas other entries on the same page specifically mention 'Res' units ie '1b Res Bde' or '14 Res Bty'.

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I note his appointment as a full SM is dated 14 Feb 1916 (Army List May 1917). If in France is there no 'date of entry'? on one of his medal cards.

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Philip, you'll obviously know that "Acteson" is a fairly unusual surname.

There is only one example in the CWGC Debt of Honour database, so it may well be a relation.

 

Whilst your GGF may have served with the Welsh RFA, do you know if he was from Bow, London?

If so...

ACTESON, WILLIAM. Rank: Rifleman. Service No: 571894. Date of Death: Between 08/08/1918 and 10/08/1918 Age: 21.
Regiment/Service: London Regiment 17th Bn. 
Grave Reference: XVIII. B. 4. Cemetery: VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MILITARY CEMETERY.
Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Lucy Acteson, of Old Ford Rd., Bow; husband of Harriet Goodrum (formerly Acteson), of 59, Lefevre Rd., Bow, London.

 

You say he was in the UK from 1912, but had he been in London in 1896/7?

 

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He was born in Bethnal Green London in 1881 and signed up in 1899.  He was discharged on 10 Sep 1919 - unfit for service as a result of wounds received.  The medal record card is not dated beyond enlistment and discharge dates.  I believe that he was wounded at the Somme (oral family evidence) but have no idea which unit he was serving with at the time.  I suspect that he was posted from India to Wales in a training role in anticipation of the war.  As a regular soldier with considerable experience he could have been posted to an 'active' unit on the outbreak of war.  

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A couple of things to add; He would have served his 12 year terms by 1914 (after joining RFA in 1899) so presumably must have extended service.  As you may know he is also listed as being awarded the Long Service Good Conduct medal 1/1/1918 - but no unit mentioned in register. No sign of him in any RFA casualty lists as far as I can see.. As no 1914 or 1915 star he did not go overseas until 1916 or later.

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Thank you for all the help so far.  I have discovered another newspaper cutting listing him as BSM A C Acteson (Permanent Staff) of the Cardiganshire Bty, 2nd Welsh Brigade RFA on 1st August 1914 based in Aberystwyth.  So at this point I know where he was in 1914 and I know that he was discharged in 1919 as a result of his wounds (and I have the silver war badge record to back this up).  He only had the British War and Victory medals so didn't go overseas until after 31st December 1915.  A bit more research required ......

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