James Downey. Private 14495 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles

[Ian C]

Hi,

 

James went to France/Flanders on 7/715 as confirmed by his Medal Rolls and MIC, but the rest of the battalion did not go until early October. Any ideas why he would have gone three months before the rest of the battalion? 

 

Regards

 

IanC

[sotonmate]

I can't see a 1914-15 Star Roll for him on the Ancestry UK Index. Did you find one ? I saw the BW and V Medals Roll. I wonder if the Star Roll will give another unit for the few months before the 9th landed, or even if there was a date error on the MIC/Roll ?

[DMannus]

Evening,

 

Only thing I can suggest was that he was part of the 'advance party'. 

 

David

 

[Ian C]

Hi Guys

 

Thanks for responding. 

 

I did eventually find his 14/15 Star, its just indexed under J rather than James,  nothing on there to indicate another unit, and the date hasn't been altered etc, I did think advance party just thought 3 months was a long time!!

 

Regards

 

IanC

[ss002d6252]

6 minutes ago, Ian C said:

Hi Guys

 

Thanks for responding. 

 

I did eventually find his 14/15 Star, its just indexed under J rather than James,  nothing on there to indicate another unit, and the date hasn't been altered etc, I did think advance party just thought 3 months was a long time!!

 

Regards

 

IanC

I had similar with a couple of T.F. men - never been able to work out exactly why they went out several months ahead.

Craig

[Jimmy Taylor]

There is also human error. I have come across several men who were entitled to the 1914 Star but the qualifying date was incorrect.

There was even one who was killed in August 1914 and his medal card stated that he went to France in Novemer 1914.