BQMS JGJ Lucas

[Richard Wildwood]

Researching BQMS Jesse Lucas who was a veteran of the Boer War and recalled to the RFA at the start of the Great War. His records show he was posted to France and returned to England with general ill health (Bronchitis and poor eyesight) he seems to have been posted to numerous different units towards the end of his military service in 1919 one of which was 39 camp POW. I'm trying to establish what his experience was like in France based on the units he served with and also what he was doing at the POW camp. Have attached sheets from his service record. He had stated illness was caused by constantly being in damp clothing whilst his eyesight suffered from working in candlelight. He had already seen a lot of action in the Anglo Boer war and would have been an experienced soldier.

[ianjonesncl]

46 (XLVI) Brigade RFA was part of 14th (Light) Divisional Artillery

14th (Light) Division - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

162 (CLXII) Brigade RFA was part of 33rd  Divisional Artillery

33rd Division - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

5C Reserve Brigade was based at Charlton Park

Royal Artillery depots, training and home defence units - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

[Allan1892]

1 hour ago, Richard Wildwood said:

one of which was 39 camp POW

According to website www.islandfarm.wales/LIST_OF_UK_POW_CAMPS1.htm POW Camp 39 was called Castle Maxstoke and was at Coleshill, Warwickshire

[FROGSMILE]

As a qualified and experienced BQMS his most likely role at the POW camp would have been to manage the camp’s store account in terms of clothing and rations, working under the camp quarter-master and adjutant.  In such camps these latter two roles were usually combined in one personage, with duties including the over watch of the account(s) and signing off of expenditure.

Edited 23 June , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[David Porter]

His last posting was to the Royal Artillery Command Depot at Ripon South. From November 18, 1918 this depot was required for the repatriation of Prisoners of War and as a Dispersal Centre. According to the second image posted, he was still at Ripon South on January 15, 1919. Obviously one of the camps there was designated 39.

[Richard Wildwood]

8 hours ago, ianjonesncl said:

46 (XLVI) Brigade RFA was part of 14th (Light) Divisional Artillery

14th (Light) Division - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

162 (CLXII) Brigade RFA was part of 33rd  Divisional Artillery

33rd Division - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

5C Reserve Brigade was based at Charlton Park

Royal Artillery depots, training and home defence units - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

Thanks for this, i'll follow it up on these sites, really useful, thanks

5 hours ago, David Porter said:

His last posting was to the Royal Artillery Command Depot at Ripon South. From November 18, 1918 this depot was required for the repatriation of Prisoners of War and as a Dispersal Centre. According to the second image posted, he was still at Ripon South on January 15, 1919. Obviously one of the camps there was designated 39.

Thanks for this, yes the no.39 designation makes sense and the Ripon depot ties in with his military hospital record.

 

[Richard Wildwood]

7 hours ago, Allan1892 said:

According to website www.islandfarm.wales/LIST_OF_UK_POW_CAMPS1.htm POW Camp 39 was called Castle Maxstoke and was at Coleshill, Warwickshire

Thanks for this, my fault the camp was No.39 at Ripon

7 hours ago, FROGSMILE said:

As a qualified and experienced BQMS his most likely role at the POW camp would have been to manage the camp’s store account in terms of clothing and rations, working under the camp quarter-master and adjutant.  In such camps these latter two roles were usually combined in one personage, with duties including the over watch of the account(s) and signing off of expenditure.

Thanks, thats good information to know

[Swinesheadvillage]

Hi Richard

FMP has a medical admission which may be of interest, listing his service as being with 'A' Battery, 46th Brigade. Condition was gastritis. Image courtesy of FMP:-

The record dates from 28 June 1916 to 21st July 1916 and the transcription records admission to 14th Field Ambulance, transferring to 42nd Field Ambulance. Hence, probably, the reason for his re-posting on 22nd July 1916

Hope this helps

Kind Regards

Derek

[Richard Wildwood]

21 hours ago, ianjonesncl said:

46 (XLVI) Brigade RFA was part of 14th (Light) Divisional Artillery

14th (Light) Division - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

162 (CLXII) Brigade RFA was part of 33rd  Divisional Artillery

33rd Division - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

5C Reserve Brigade was based at Charlton Park

Royal Artillery depots, training and home defence units - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

 

20 hours ago, FROGSMILE said:

As a qualified and experienced BQMS his most likely role at the POW camp would have been to manage the camp’s store account in terms of clothing and rations, working under the camp quarter-master and adjutant.  In such camps these latter two roles were usually combined in one personage, with duties including the over watch of the account(s) and signing off of expenditure.

 

20 hours ago, Allan1892 said:

According to website www.islandfarm.wales/LIST_OF_UK_POW_CAMPS1.htm POW Camp 39 was called Castle Maxstoke and was at Coleshill, Warwickshire

 

40 minutes ago, Swinesheadvillage said:

Hi Richard

FMP has a medical admission which may be of interest, listing his service as being with 'A' Battery, 46th Brigade. Condition was gastritis. Image courtesy of FMP:-

The record dates from 28 June 1916 to 21st July 1916 and the transcription records admission to 14th Field Ambulance, transferring to 42nd Field Ambulance. Hence, probably, the reason for his re-posting on 22nd July 1916

Hope this helps

Kind Regards

Derek

Thanks Derek, really interesting. His medical records for his pre WW1 service show he often had similar illness problems during service in India. Wonder if this is a legacy of his previous army service?