Great Uncles Second Period Of Service - RGA / MFP - Help Needed

[RedCoat]

Hi all,

My Great Uncle Charles Desbrow, a pre war RGA Gunner initially went overseas in September 1914 with 1st Siege Battery RGA. In 1915 he transferred to the 4th Siege Battery RGA and in December 1915 was discharged. 

It appears that Charles Re-enlisted into the RGA in June 1917, the only record relating to this period I show below: -

 

Luckily, on Charles's duplicate British War and Victory Medal Roll it states he served in France again from the 20/11/1917 until the 11/11/1918. 

 

Charles Desbrow British War + Victory Medal Roll

 

On Charles's original medal roll it states he served with the 39th Siege Battery RGA, this must refer to his period overseas from November 1917?

 

Charles Desbrow Duplicate British War + Victory Medal Roll

 

Now, I have looked at the 39th Siege Battery RGA War Diary for the period and although other men are named as reinforcements I can't find any mention of Charles joining the Battery. Am I completely wrong here, did he served with 39 SB or not?

The roll also mentions that he served with the MFP but as the RGA issued his British War and Victory medals I think he transferred to them post 11/11/1918?

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Cheers
RC

 

 

[charlie962]

3 hours ago, RedCoat said:

The roll also mentions that he served with the MFP but as the RGA issued his British War and Victory medals I think he transferred to them post 11/11/1918?

RC, a couple of thoughts-

The transfer to the MFP was a voluntary temporary transfer (from looking at near MFP numbers). The P number was issued c Sep 1918 and since he is shown on the Roll as MFP as well as RGA he must have spent the period Sept1918-Nov 1918 in France with them.

The 39 SB on the Roll may indeed be with whom he served but sometimes it is just the last unit or first unit. Look at the next man, Sgt Napier who has 'Base Details' but probably served in a Battery.

Charlie