Guest Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 (edited) Sorry if this has been asked before and seems a stupid thing to ask - I'm new to this forum I'm investigating a relative who was in the rifle brigade and died in WW1 . The medals I have of his list him as Pte F Merry but his name on the Thiepval memorial list him as Rifleman Frederick Merry , The service number is the same so I know it is the right person. Which is correct and is there a difference between the 2 ranks ? Also is there a simple way to find out more about him eg service record/photos of regiment to show him etc ? Mark Edited 14 May , 2020 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 Private was correct for WW1, the exceptions being Gunner or Driver for the RHA,RFA and RGA, Sapper for the Royal Engineers, Driver for the ASC. Titles such as Rifleman, Guardsman, Fusilier, Kingsman etc were authorised post war and thus appear on memorials and headstones. Private inscribed on the medal is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 Many thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 add pioneer RE, and possibly [I am being idle] trooper for Household Cavalry. Essentially sappers were better qualified and paid than pioneers RE. Troopers were also horses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 3 minutes ago, Muerrisch said: add pioneer RE, and possibly [I am being idle] trooper for Household Cavalry. Essentially sappers were better qualified and paid than pioneers RE. Troopers were also horses! Quite right and troop ships were also referred to as "troopers". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 (edited) 'Rifleman' was used as an alternative to 'Private' in Rifle battalions during the Great War. Many wartime records refer to the rank. Edited 14 May , 2020 by Ken Lees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 (edited) Men in the Rifle Brigade were always known as Rifleman since 1800, officialdom dictates otherwise. 4th & 7th Rifle Brigade, overseas 18/6/15. He was in "B" Company, killed on a working party by a shell. Andy Edited 14 May , 2020 by stiletto_33853 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 14 May , 2020 Share Posted 14 May , 2020 Great to see the Old Favourites coming around again! AO 222 of 1923 brought 'officialdom' into line with actual regimental practice: See also ... 2005 - guardsman or private 2018 - Guardsman or Private 2018 - Private to Rifleman in the KRRC ... which include this 'official' Proceedings on Discharge Army Form from 1915 posted by Andy ... I still have not got hold of the text for AO 160 of 1909 though! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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