Sapper 21627

[Archer]

BACKGROUND

I am researching a Royal Engineers sapper who transitioned into an RAF cadet. His medals were named to him as Sapper, R.E., and I have found his M.I.C.

I can find no WWI Army Service record or Pension record, but I have located his R.A.F. service records.

 

His army service commenced on 26 November 1915.

He was transferred to the R.A.F. on 4 June 1918.

 

R.E. REGIMENTAL NUMBER

All the materials give his Royal Engineers regimental number as 21627.

His R.A.F. service record in Air 76 gives his unit as 413th (Lowland) Field Company, R.E.

 

QUERY

I cannot find Army Council Instruction 2243 of 1916 online, but I would really like to know whether the number 21627 was allocated by the 2/2nd Lowland Field Company (later 413th (Lowland) Field Company).

If not, can we identity his unit on attestation?

 

Can any Forum member give me a steer?

 

Thank you and cheers!

William

 

 

 

 

 

[clk]

Hi William,

 

Prior to 1917, I don't believe that men in RE (TF) units were numbered above 4 digit numbers. Then under the TF renumbering they were allocated 6 digit numbers - the number block 414001 to 416000 being allocated to the 2nd Lowland units. My guess would be that he served with the 2/2nd (413rd) Lowland Field Company, but not with a TF number.

 

Regards

Chris

 

[Archer]

Thanks Chris.

 

This was where my thinking was leading me. It “looks” like an infantry number, but I think I am wrong, nevertheless.

 

I have found a sapper with a similar number who qualified for the Mons Star: 21629 Sapper H.B. Adams.

 

On the same page of the 1914 Star roll are Sappers 23264, 25719, 25817, 25893, 26071, and 27242.

 

My chap did not qualify for either the 1914 or 1914-15 Stars.

 

William 

[clk]

Hi William,

 

21627 won't be an infantry number, as a move from the infantry to the RE would have resulted in a new RE number being allotted. I think that he was a non TF RE man when he was allocated the number, but subsequently transferred/posted to the RE TF unit - carrying his existing RE number with him, a move within the RE not necessitating a renumber.

 

Regards

Chris 

[sapper5]

Regimental numbers below 40000 usually were numbers for Regular Army soldiers in the Royal Engineers.  It is difficult, if not impossible, to assign your man to a specific unit knowing only that his regimental number was 21627.  He may well have served in the 413th Field Company as a replacement for a Territorial Force soldier.  This happened frequently due to casualties, but it would be difficult to verify.  This essentially agrees with clk's statement.

[Archer]

Thanks both.

 

Very helpful replies, making clear a lot that was murky to me. 

Forum power!

 

:cheers:

 

William 

[corisande]

16 hours ago, clk said:

Then under the TF renumbering they were allocated 6 digit numbers - the number block 414001 to 416000 being allocated to the 2nd Lowland units.

 

If you look more closly at both his OR and Officer files for RAF you will see

 

[corisande]

The other thing that his RAF O/R record gives is that when he was in the Army, he was with Med Expeditionary Force from 26 Jun 1916 to 3 Jun 1918

Edited 31 October , 2018 by corisande

[Archer]

Thanks General. So looks like Chris is 100% correct

 

I'm very grateful to you all for helping me with this query.

 

:cheers:

William