Anna Gorham Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 Hope someone can help confirm for me which Batallion this soldier was a part of, so I may read the correct War Diary. Solider 496096, this image identifies him as being 2 S Midland Field Coy Then I am unsure about if he is with the 2/1 or 2/2 I then have either the 477th or the 478th. Can anyone who understands this a lot better than me help please. Best Regards Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmorris547 Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 Anna Welcome There are two men with Royal Engineers number 496096 Wilfred A Warwick. Original number 849 re numbered in 1917 as 496096. His Medal Roll Index Card shows that he was Commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. There is a Bristol address on the card and it would appear that he did not go to France before 01/01/1916. A Silver War Badge for Frederick Chas Lewis, who enlisted on 29/05/1916 and was discharged in 1919. The SWB Roll does not show if he served abroad, possibly not. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 Sorry Anne, Who exactly is the soldier you are researching? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDWARD1 Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 According to The Great War Medal Collectors Companion Howard Williamson Vol 11 pg 693 & Vol 111 pg 1245 496096 served 2nd South Midland Field Coy which was renumbered 475th Field Company (T) 48th Division Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 (edited) Let's go right to the beginning. The man served with the Royal Engineers. His unit would be a Company, not a Battalion. His 6-digit number dates to 1917 or later, as it is from the block of numbers issued to the 2nd South Midland Field Company RE for a renumbering scheme. The 2nd South Midland Field Company RE became two units in 1914: the 1/2nd, which served under command of 48th (South Midland) Division and was later renamed 475th Field Company, and the 2/2nd which served under command of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division and was renamed 478th Field Company. It is not wise, based simply on his number, to decide which of these units he served with. It is even possible that although he had been enlisted into the 2nd South Midland Field Company RE he was actually attached to or transferred to a different unit after his 6-digit number was issued. If you man was Wilfred Alan Warwick, you will need to consult his service record. It is not online anywhere but is held at the National Archives under reference WO339/119432. Edited 16 November , 2020 by Chris_Baker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Gorham Posted 16 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 16 November , 2020 (edited) Thank you all for your information. My man was Frederick Charles Lewis. His enlistment date for 496096 was 29 May 1916 - second number 4074 He was discharged on the 25th Sept 1919. My info says Royal Engineers 20th TF Dep, Cause of discharge was Army Order 29th of Jan. 1919 para 392 (xvi) sickness (I have researched and understand what this is) I have Frederick's Medal Card, and further below his Discharge Information. Would either of these assist with identifying if he served. The Discharge card says that his illness is attributed to service. I am just looking up the National Archives, thanks Thanks in advance Edited 16 November , 2020 by Anna Gorham left out information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDWARD1 Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 Original post 496096, documents in later post 496906. ?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Gorham Posted 16 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 16 November , 2020 Thanks very much EDWARD1 much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmorris547 Posted 16 November , 2020 Share Posted 16 November , 2020 The confusion is caused by the SWB Rolls, which show 096. (courtesy Ancestry). I have found that the SWB Rolls contain lots of errors. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Gorham Posted 17 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 17 November , 2020 Thanks very much Brian, I appreciate your efforts. Excuse the late response as I am in Australia. Anna 13 hours ago, EDWARD1 said: Original post 496096, documents in later post 496906. ?????? Apologies for that, I was using my phone as per my computer. I am blaming it on fat fingers. He is def 496906 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmorris547 Posted 17 November , 2020 Share Posted 17 November , 2020 (edited) 22 hours ago, Chris_Baker said: It is not wise, based simply on his number, to decide which of these units he served with. It is even possible that although he had been enlisted into the 2nd South Midland Field Company RE he was actually attached to or transferred to a different unit after his 6-digit number was issued. Anna This is an example of what Chris was referring to, Artillery not RE but the same thing: 710478 Robert Unsworth enlisted into the Bolton Artillery 3 East Lancs Brigade RFA (T) (later 212 then 211 Brigade RFA) in August 1914. His Pension Record (WO 364) does not show his original 4 figure number but he must have had one, probably 1284 or 1285. His AF B 103 (attached courtesy of Ancestry) shows that he did not go to Egypt in September 1914 but went to France in 1917 with 332 Brigade (The Bolton Artillery Reserve Brigade ex 2/3 and 3/3 East Lancs Bde). His 710xxx number was allocated to 212/211 and 332 Brigades in 1917 but as you can see he transferred to 66 Div Ammunition Column when 332 Brigade was broken up. The numbers allocated to 42 Div and 66 Div ACs began 720xxx. Frederick probably did serve in 1/2 South Midland Field Co later 475 FC but the WD does not confirm it. (WO 95/2571/2). Brian Edited 17 November , 2020 by brianmorris547 additional info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Gorham Posted 17 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 17 November , 2020 Thank you so much Brian, I will have a think about where I go from here. Thanks again Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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