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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Pte J B L SMITH 14th Bn Royal Warwicks died 23 July 1916


nicktamarensis

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Hello all,

I'm researching this man for a friend and although I have his personal details, the unit (1st Birmingham Pals) he was with and where his name is recorded (Thiepval Memorial), I don't have much as to the circumstances of his death other than the 14th being at a place called 'Wood Lane' on the 22nd and then Pommiers Redoubt on the 23rd.

His army number also seems remarkably low - 21 - is this correct ? If so it also coincides with his age at death. 

Many thanks,

Nick.

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Terry Carter's book 'Birmingham Pals' is the best source on the 14th... Strongly recommended. 

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Bham Daily Gazette 28 8 17 p.3

 

 

jbs 14.jpg

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Hello Simon,

Many thanks for your two responses.  Extremely helpful.  Unfortunately, the newspaper clipping you've kindly included came across in a format too small to read and when I tried to magnify it the pixel dpi was not high enough to permit enlargement.

Apologies, is it possible to send again?

Also, is Joseph's army number correct?  It seems very low despite him being an early volunteer.

Cheers,

 

Nick.

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The effects records shows he's #21.

 

His war gratuity gives 23 months qualifying service at time of death - Sep 14 (could be pushed back to Aug 14 due to the way the gratuity works).

Craig

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  • Admin

When the Birmingham Pals (14th, 15th and 16th Battalions) of the RWR were formed, they each used their own numbering sequence starting from 1 but prefixed with the Battalion number. So having a low number of 21 (i.e. strictly 14/21) is understandable. Indeed, having such a low number of 21 would mean he would likely have been one of the earliest to have joined the 1st Birmingham Pals (14th Bn).

 

Russ

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5649814192128000.png?k=FiX12_GZ_OZVJQToF

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Welcome! My great grandfather John Heath died of wounds while serving with the 14th - see signature... 

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