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ERNEST REILLY /5TH King's Own Royal Lancaster Rgt.


2li

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Hello I have a strange one here if any one can shine the light on this one

I would like to know if Ernest served in Egypt 

Ernest Reilly, 11343, 1/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regt, born Shrewsbury, enlisted Lancaster Killed in action France 10th April 1918, Commemorated on the LOOS MEMORIALL Pas-De-Calais, France, Panel 19 to 20.

His medal card states Landed in Asiatic 13 June 1915 but did the 5th serve Egypt also his Victory and War medal roll states 2nd Royal Lancs.

A newspaper report says he served in France and Egypt

Any help with this much appreciated

 

Philip

53 Ernest Reilly.jpg

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Regarding his MIC. Have a look at LLT link: Medal roll theatre codes - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk).  My reading from this credible source is, that up to Dec 15 (applicable here), Theatre 5 is indeed "Asiatic".  It is further defined as "5A" ......... "Mesopotamia and Bushire".

It then gets rather fuzzy as we enter the realm of speculation.  The only "Egypt" and "Mesopotamia" King's Own connection appears to be the 6th (Service) Battalion formed at Lancaster in August 1914 as part of K1 under command of 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. They moved to Gallipoli in July 1915 and on to Egypt in January 1916 and then to Mesopotamia.

It perhaps gets a little clearer when you dig into the detail. The 6th Battalion embarked for Egypt (Alexandria) on 13 June 1915 (date exactly the same as his MIC) and arrived in Gallipoli (via Mudros) 6 July 1915. They were evacuated 20 December 1915 arriving back in Egypt (Port Said) 23 January 1916.  They then deployed to Mesopotamia (Basrah) 27 Feb 1916.

In answer to your question did "Ernest serve in Egypt" I'd speculate he was indeed in Egypt twice ......... July 15 and January 1916 .......... and with a lot of Dardanelles between these two visits.

(I have several newspaper reports of Rawtenstall soldiers, who have proven service in Gallipoli, and are similarly reported as having served in "Egypt" with no mention of the Dardanelles ..... and I know not why)

Edited by TullochArd
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Thank you very much for pointing this would he have possibly been with the 6th battalion and later joined the 1/5th it seems he also had a bit of service with the 2nd battalion

kind regards for your excellent reply to this story

PHILIP

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12 minutes ago, 2li said:

".........would he have possibly been with the 6th battalion and later joined the 1/5th it seems he also had a bit of service with the 2nd battalion......."

...... certainly looks that way Philip.  We can say for certain is he served in the King's Own throughout as a transfer out of this Regiment would have generated another number .......and we don't appear to have this.  Assuming he was serving throughout this initial period, and not absent as sick/wounded at any point, he would have been at Gallipoli and then on to Kut el Amara with the 6th ....... which war enough for anybody.

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17 minutes ago, TullochArd said:

...... certainly looks that way Philip.  We can say for certain is he served in the King's Own throughout as a transfer out of this Regiment would have generated another number .......and we don't appear to have this.  Assuming he was serving throughout this initial period, and not absent as sick/wounded at any point, he would have been at Gallipoli and then on to Kut el Amara with the 6th ....... which war enough for anybody.

Thanks again I dont think I can go anywere else with this you have been a great help

A Big thank you

PHILIP

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He clearly had service with a battalion prior to the 5th Bn., as his service number is not one allocated to a Territorial Force enlistment. The 5th (1/5th & 2/5th were Territorials.

Looking at the Medal Roll for his 1914-15 Star, on the same page is a Frank Russell (Pte.11349) who embarked on the same day and was killed on Gallipoli in August, serving with the 6th Bn.

So, I'd say, with the above information, it is pretty certain that Ernest Reilly was 6th Bn. and served in Gallipoli before returning to the Western Front with the 1/5th Bn.

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19 hours ago, 2li said:

"......... it seems he also had a bit of service with the 2nd battalion ......."

Where did this info come from Philip? 

I ask because the 2nd Bn went Egypt/Salonika from the Western Front in November 1915 and served in Balkans/Turkey throughout the rest of the War whilst the 6th Bn went Egypt/Gallipoli/Egypt/Macedonia.  Although both were MEF units they were operating in very different Theatres.

Edited by TullochArd
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Hello Tullochard

I found the 2nd Battalion reff on this card correct me if I am wrong, 

kind regards

41629_626640_11535-00265.jpg

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30 minutes ago, 2li said:

".......I found the 2nd Battalion reff on this card correct me if I am wrong ......", 

You are certainly not wrong there Philip.  This clearly states he was in 2 R.Lanc. R. at some point.  I'll defer any further comment for the moment other than I read this as he earned BWM/BVM serving in 2 R. Lanc. R. which rather confuses me.  With a bit of luck some other GWF chum will pick up on this and add some clarity.  This is the BWM/BVM Medal Roll ........ did you find his 1914/15 Star Medal Roll?

Edited by TullochArd
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Yes 

I have been a bit confused myself I am researching my local memorial and this chap wel documented has a casualty I have a lott of information ie newspaper obituary which states Ernest served in Egypt and France, when he served with the 2nd I know not but he seems to have been in several differant battalions

My main interest is to know when he enlisted time period, 

kind regards Philip

 

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41 minutes ago, 2li said:

Yes 

I have been a bit confused myself I am researching my local memorial and this chap wel documented has a casualty I have a lott of information ie newspaper obituary which states Ernest served in Egypt and France, when he served with the 2nd I know not but he seems to have been in several differant battalions

My main interest is to know when he enlisted time period, 

kind regards Philip

 

#11348 attested 10 Aug 1914.

Craig

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4 minutes ago, ss002d6252 said:

#11348 attested 10 Aug 1914.

Craig

Thanks Craig

 

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