Emma W Posted 28 May , 2021 Share Posted 28 May , 2021 I am searching for the 17th (Service) Battalion (Welbeck Rangers) George Brown - service number 20976 and details of 21/10/1916 if anyone can help? Would love to know more of his time before being injured out that day. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 28 May , 2021 Admin Share Posted 28 May , 2021 Welcome Emma. As you had posted on a very old thread, I’ve split this into a new post to hopefully get more attention, Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 28 May , 2021 Share Posted 28 May , 2021 Hi and welcome to the forum First take a look at the Long Long Trail site, Link at top of page, for research hints regards Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 28 May , 2021 Share Posted 28 May , 2021 The War Diary on National Archives (free to download if registered at the mo) Is HERE Reference: WO 95/2587/2 Description: 17 Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). War Diaries for December 1916 not included. Reported, April 2001 Date: 1916 Mar - 1918 Feb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 28 May , 2021 Share Posted 28 May , 2021 43 minutes ago, Emma W said: details of 21/10/1916 If you subscribe to Ancestry the War Diary for that day is HERE, then you can scroll back or forth as needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma W Posted 28 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 28 May , 2021 jobnem, Thank you immensely, didn't know it was on there. Hugest of thanks! Also, Michelle, thank you too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 28 May , 2021 Share Posted 28 May , 2021 On Ancestry the Medal Index Card is HERE Just VM & BWM so no Star so didn't go abroad before 1/1/1916 Medal Roll HERE Name: George Brown Military Year: 1914-1920 Rank: Corporal Company: WO 329 Regiment or Corps: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment Regiment Number: 2097 6 Medal Awarded: British War Medal and Victory Medal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma W Posted 28 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 28 May , 2021 Oh my goodness! I will be here for hours pouring through the pages! Thank you so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 28 May , 2021 Share Posted 28 May , 2021 Hi Emma, Welcome to the forum. His October 1916 wounding appears to have been noted in a register (link) as being classified under wound class 'II 1'. Image sourced from Findmypast I wonder if he recovered from that wound, and was subsequently 'recycled' to another Battalion. The reason I say that is Fold3 appear to have a pension index card (link - get in quickly, as they are offering free access for literally the next day or so). It indicates that following his discharge on 27.12.1919 he received a pension due to an assessed disability of 40% due to a wound to his right eye. It might be a clerical error but the card seems to suggest that he may have been with the 1st Battalion at the time of his wounding. Image sourced from Fold3 To confuse things a bit further, the Absent Voters Lists for 1919 appear to show him living away from home on the qualifying date, but serving with the 4th Battalion. Image sourced from Findmypast Unfortunately, I didn't see surviving papers for George. My guess would be that he might have been wounded late in the war with a front line [1st ??] Battalion, taken off their establishment list (so they could try to claim a replacement), and transferred to a Reserve Battalion (perhaps even notionally as a paperwork exercise) to allow for treatment and recuperation pending a medical assessment of his ongoing fitness. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Rayner Posted 29 May , 2021 Share Posted 29 May , 2021 Interesting that the Pension card from CLK shows a sergeant but everything else refers to Corporal George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma W Posted 29 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 29 May , 2021 T 13 hours ago, clk said: 13 hours ago, clk said: Hello Chris, This is fascinating - all of it! He did survive, however was wounded out as he was blinded in one eye and they couldn't remove the shrapnel behind the eyeball. I think you theory of being moved around regiments for the purpose of being reassessed. This is so intriguing! He was my neighbour's grandfather and as so many did, he never mentioned the war. All she knew was that he was blind in one eye and had a huge bit of shrapnel in his arm too that they couldn't remove for some reason. May have to try some hospital records if I can find them. My neighbour will be so excited, I am putting it all into a book for her and getting it printed. She is 81 so I thought it was a perfect thing to do for her. On another note, this forum is amazing! Thank you! T 13 hours ago, clk said: I wonder if he recovered from that wound, and was subsequently 'recycled' to another Battalion. The reason I say that is Fold3 appear to have a pension index card (link - get in quickly, as they are offering free access for literally the next day or so). It indicates that following his discharge on 27.12.1919 he received a pension due to an assessed disability of 40% due to a wound to his right eye. It might be a clerical error but the card seems to suggest that he may have been with the 1st Battalion at the time of his wounding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadbrewer Posted 29 May , 2021 Share Posted 29 May , 2021 He got in some trouble in 1923 according to this article courtesy of The British Newspaper Archive. Apparently his speed was estimated at over 20mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma W Posted 29 May , 2021 Author Share Posted 29 May , 2021 x 5 minutes ago, sadbrewer said: He got in some trouble in 1923 according to this article courtesy of The British Newspaper Archive. Apparently his speed was estimated at over 20mph. Oh my goodness! That is amazing! THANK YOU! How hilarious by our times! 21 hours ago, clk said: Quote Hello Chris, This is fascinating - all of it! He did survive, however was wounded out as he was blinded in one eye and they couldn't remove the shrapnel behind the eyeball. I think you theory of being moved around regiments for the purpose of being reassessed. This is so intriguing! He was my neighbour's grandfather and as so many did, he never mentioned the war. All she knew was that he was blind in one eye and had a huge bit of shrapnel in his arm too that they couldn't remove for some reason. May have to try some hospital records if I can find them. My neighbour will be so excited, I am putting it all into a book for her and getting it printed. She is 81 so I thought it was a perfect thing to do for her. On another note, this forum is amazing! Thank you! T Quote I wonder if he recovered from that wound, and was subsequently 'recycled' to another Battalion. The reason I say that is Fold3 appear to have a pension index card (link - get in quickly, as they are offering free access for literally the next day or so). It indicates that following his discharge on 27.12.1919 he received a pension due to an assessed disability of 40% due to a wound to his right eye. It might be a clerical error but the card seems to suggest that he may have been with the 1st Battalion at the time of his wounding. THANK YOU ALL this is amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebriggs Posted 8 June , 2021 Share Posted 8 June , 2021 Emma - just to add that his service number - 20976 - is consistent with an enlistment date of 21st December 1914. Several men with service numbers close to his were first posted to the 9th Battalion before being transferred to the 17th Battalion. The 17th Battn didn't actually start recruiting until the 1st June 1915. cheers Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma W Posted 8 June , 2021 Author Share Posted 8 June , 2021 On 29/05/2021 at 18:26, sadbrewer said: He got in some trouble in 1923 according to this article courtesy of The British Newspaper Archive. Apparently his speed was estimated at over 20mph. I was wondering if you had the rest of the article available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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