j2sea2002 Posted 15 March , 2019 Share Posted 15 March , 2019 (edited) Hi everyone, I am researching into my grandfather who served in 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) and the 3rd & 6th Battalions Royal West Kent Regiment. I would be grateful if anyone has any photographs of 6th Btn RWK if they could send me a copy please. I am especially interested in the years 1915- 1916. Thanks. Edited 15 March , 2019 by j2sea2002 Error correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 15 March , 2019 Share Posted 15 March , 2019 Hi, Might be an idea to change the title to Royal West Kent Regiment. Name, number might be useful also. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 (edited) Having all sorts of difficulties finding him in the 1st RB. S/379 is Henry Mills, trying all different prefix but no luck, B/379 is Parry, F, Z/379 is Fielding W.E., 5/379 is Heath, J. can you tell us where you got the number?? or is that a West Kent's number?? Andy Edited 16 March , 2019 by stiletto_33853 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean coles Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 hi I have looked him up in RWK roll of honour , I can confirm Private Smith W.H S/379 is his RWK number , Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 Can you tell us what 'W.H.' stands for in your grandfather's name? Regards, Alf McM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 This may save us some further time/effort ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 His CWGC entry - here - has ... Private SMITH, WILLIAM HENRY Service Number S/379 Died 03/07/1916 6th Bn.Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) Watch out - there is another William Smith, 6/RWK, died on the same day. L/10539. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 Various W.SMITHs on the RWK 1914-15 Star roll ... The BWM&VM roll does not add anything significant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 (edited) SDGW adds ... Name: William Henry Smith Birth Place: Camberwell, London SE. Enlistment Place: Bromley, Kent Edited 16 March , 2019 by MBrockway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 HIs Great War Service Record starts here on Ancestry (subscription required) He enlisted on 02 Sep 1914 aged 33yrs as a time expired ex-Rifle Brigade Regular (which could of course the Special Reserve), but no clues that I could see as to when or which RB battalion. His home address at enlistment is given as 15 Crampton Road, Penge, Kent, which stills exists - post code SE20 7AR. Wife is Henrietta Smith, nee Curtis. Marriage was on 09 Feb 1890 at the Parish Church (St Peter and St Paul) of Grays Thurrock in Essex. Witnesses were Thomas Curtis and Ellen Smith, both probably close relations of bride and groom. The marriage was registered in Q1 1890 in the Orsett Registration District of Essex. Children ... 16 Dec 1899 - Bert Edward, born Penge 09 Oct 1901 - Frank James. Born Penge 04 Feb 1903 - Sidney Joseph. Born Croydon 14 May 1908 - Beatrice Rose. Born Bromley. This may help the pals narrow down his earlier RB service. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 In the 1911 Census, the family is at 96 Station Road, Penge, London SE (modern postcode SE20 7AT). This is about 150yds from 15 Crampton Road. SMITH, Willam Henry; 40yrs; Head: Window Cleaner; Born: ~1871, Camberwell, London _, Henrietta; 45yrs; Wife; Born: ~1866, Salford, Manchester _, Ernest; 13yrs; Son; Newsagent's Boy & School; Born: ~1898, Penge, Surrey _, Emily Kathleen; 12yrs; Daughter; Born: ~1898, Penge, Surrey; Subject to fits since age 6yrs. _, Bert Edward; 11yrs; Son; Newsagent's Boy & School; Born: ~1900, Penge, Surrey _, Frank James; 9yrs; Son; School; Born: ~1902, Penge, Surrey _, Sidney Joseph; 8yrs; Son; School; Born: ~1903, Penge, Surrey _, Beatrice Rose; 2yrs; Daughter; Born: ~1909, Penge, Surrey In 1901, they're at 45 Crampton Road, Penge. SMITH, Willam Henry; 30yrs; Head: Cycle Repairer; Born: ~1871, Camberwell, London _, Henrietta; 34yrs; Wife; Born: ~1866, Salford, Manchester _, George Alfred; 18yrs; Son; Butcher's Assistant; Born: ~1883, Anerley, Surrey _, Ernest Robert; 3yrs; Son; Born: ~1898, Penge, Surrey _, Emily C; 2yrs; Daughter; Born: ~1898, Penge, Surrey; _, Bert Edward; 1yr; Son; Newsagent's Boy & School; Born: ~1900, Penge, Surrey CURTIS, Francis; 58yrs; Mother-in-law; Widow; Born: ~1843, Salford Notes ... William Smith was in fact ~43 yrs old when he enlisted, not 33yrs as he stated on his Attestation Form. William and Henrietta had been married 21 years in 1911 The marriage had produced nine children, but three had died Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 16 March , 2019 Share Posted 16 March , 2019 Andy - I thought this name sounded familiar - we looked at this back in February In 1888 he signed up for twelve years, seven with the Colours and five in the Reserve, so unless he bought himself out, he would have returned to civvy street circa Jan 1895. That probably explains why I cannot find him nor Henrietta in the 1891 Census. The OP knew of the RB connection because it is on his Marriage Certificate from 1890. In the other topic, I also pointed out he had militia service with the 3rd West Kents prior to enlisting as an RB Regular. See here: Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 17 March , 2019 Share Posted 17 March , 2019 Thanks Mark, Somewhat used used to the Smith's now. Shame the OP had not given a fuller description as they obviously have his RB papers. Was unaware that the RWK used the S Prefix as well, learn something new every day. Oh well, wasted a bit of time chasing a red herring, nothing new. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 17 March , 2019 Share Posted 17 March , 2019 John - I have sent Rfn Smith's RB papers to Andy. Big Thank You to Chris for sharing them Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j2sea2002 Posted 17 March , 2019 Author Share Posted 17 March , 2019 Thank you Mark, Andy & Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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