Hunterstar Posted 31 March , 2019 Share Posted 31 March , 2019 Hi, we are tyring to find out information on my farther in law Clement William Balchin service number 65211, we know he served with the 23rd brigade royal artillery (18 pounders) in 1914, we are unable to find out if he was in 106, 107 or 108th battery, any help would be much appreciated. Many thanks Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Porter Posted 31 March , 2019 Share Posted 31 March , 2019 Welcome to the Forum Jenny, It appears there is very little to go on. The batteries of 23rd Brigade RFA were actually 107th, 108th and 109th. I can tell you that he enlisted on May 3, 1911 and served in France from 1914 to 1916 then Mesopotamia in 1917 He re-enlisted for 2 years in Mustapha, Egypt, on March 14, 1919 and was discharged on March 31, 1921. He was given Army Number 1021912 in August 1920. This information indicates he left 23rd Brigade RFA at some point as they only served in France. He married Margaret Winifred Sheppard on April 14, 1915 and a daughter was born on May 19, 1916. Unfortunately, despite serving to 1921, his service record is not held by the MOD. Source: Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942 - Findmypast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterstar Posted 31 March , 2019 Author Share Posted 31 March , 2019 Hi David Thank you SO much for the information. The little i know of my father in law is. Born Lisa Hants on 11th July 1894 Joined the RFA Corsham Barracks May 3rd 1911 August 1911 with 14th Brigade RFA possibly Deep Cut. (Source his brothers small book) 23rd Brigade RFA mobilised 4th August 1914 at Buford Camp. C.W Balchin sailed with 23rd Brigade RFA from Southampton aboard S.S Minio on 18th August bound for La Harve. (Source postcards home to his mother) Served in France 1914-1916 some time promoted to Farrier Sergeant (pos 1915) Arrived Egypt September 1917.. Address C.W.Balchin 65211 Farrier Sergeant 172 Brigade RFA . E.E Force Egypt Part of 72 division under Allenby In action from 3rd Battle of Gazza until July 18 in Palestine. I had know idea he served in Mesopotamia. Any info would be gratefully received He may have been wounded in 1914 but have no evidence to support this. Thank you very much. Jenny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Porter Posted 31 March , 2019 Share Posted 31 March , 2019 (edited) Great, we are getting somewhere. He joined at Cosham near Portsmouth. His occupation was given as Blacksmith As he signed on for 3 years with the colours and 9 years in reserve, he would have been called up from the reserves in August 1914. 23rd Brigade RFA were at Bulford Camp. They sailed to France on SS Saturnia and SS Minneapolis, disembarking at Havre on 19th. 172nd Brigade RFA was a newly formed brigade (in England) which arrived in Egypt in early August 1917. It joined 75th Division. 406th (How) battery (also formed in England) joined the brigade on October 12, 1917 but had arrived in Egypt on September 27, 1917. So 406th Howitzer battery is a possible. His Findmypast record (as William Clement Balchin) definitely says Mesopotamia but not Egypt (apart from his re-enlistment). It could be a mistake as 403rd (How) and 404th (How) batteries formed at the same time (June 1917) were sent to Mesopotamia. Edited 1 April , 2019 by David Porter Correction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 31 March , 2019 Share Posted 31 March , 2019 (edited) Thank you David, Clement was my grandfather and this information is very useful, I’ve included an attachment of his medal index card if it helps at all. Edited 31 March , 2019 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battiscombe Posted 2 April , 2019 Share Posted 2 April , 2019 Is there a relationship with Cornelius Millham Balchin [30628] a Sgt in 108th Bty? I have been through most RFA casualty lists for 1914 and have not seen a record of a C W Balchin being wounded, but C M Balchin was injured in a horsefall at Ypres in late Dec 1914. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterstar Posted 3 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 3 April , 2019 Hi Will look on our family tree to see if we can find a Cornelius. Our tree goes back to the 1600s Thank you very much for the other info...wonder if they got the initials wrong. Will reply as soon as I can as we are dealing with a family matter at moment. I won't forget! Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battiscombe Posted 3 April , 2019 Share Posted 3 April , 2019 Cornelius (m. Beatrice) appears to be son of a James Balchin, father of Richard James B and Leslie Frank B'.... born Shipley Sussex..c.1880. [service number 30638; enlisted 1898 - discharged 1915] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James holt Posted 4 August , 2021 Share Posted 4 August , 2021 Hey there my great grandad was in 107th rfa Thomas William white 2993 an any 1 help lemme know blessed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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