flatdog Posted 11 August , 2016 Share Posted 11 August , 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATNOMIS Posted 11 August , 2016 Share Posted 11 August , 2016 It is on Forces war records Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatdog Posted 11 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 11 August , 2016 Dear Simon, Thank you, unfortunately this site only seems to collate the information that I have already gathered using ancestry.co.uk. Regards, Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATNOMIS Posted 11 August , 2016 Share Posted 11 August , 2016 7 Res Bde RFA might help Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 11 August , 2016 Share Posted 11 August , 2016 (edited) 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 Edited 11 August , 2016 by charlie962 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatdog Posted 12 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 12 August , 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatdog Posted 12 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 12 August , 2016 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'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battiscombe Posted 12 August , 2016 Share Posted 12 August , 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 12 August , 2016 Share Posted 12 August , 2016 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatdog Posted 12 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 12 August , 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battiscombe Posted 13 August , 2016 Share Posted 13 August , 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatdog Posted 15 August , 2016 Author Share Posted 15 August , 2016 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 ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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