Herbert Ernest Rhodes

[Alan Fewtrell]

Hi

Can anyone tell me from his service number 29879 when Herbert Ernest Rhodes likely enlisted in the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment? He was born in 1880 and died 1917.

Kind regards

Alan

[Alisonmallen62]

Doesn’t look like there is a service record but I assume you have seen what is on ancestry?  Got the Victory medal 

[RussT]

His VM/BWM Medal Roll shows he actually served with the 2nd Battalion SSR before he finally served with the 1st Battalion with whom he died (of wounds).

I would suggest he joined the SSR either under the Derby Scheme or as a Conscript. Either way, his service number is indicative of him commencing service with the SSR in the final week of July 1916. His £4 10s War Gratuity is consistent with that enlistment date.

He likely first served with the 3rd Reserve Battalion SSR (or possibly the 10th Reserve Battalion before the 3rd) with whom he did his training before evidently being posted overseas, on a date unknown, to join the 2nd Battalion. At some time during his service he was posted to the 1st Battalion - perhaps after suffering/recovering from a wound or some sort of sickness.

He appears on a Sick/Wounded list as having died from a head injury at 8:35 am on the 15/10/1917 in No 53 56 General Hospital, which was at Etaples - hence the reason why is buried there.

Regards

Russ

 

[Alan Fewtrell]

Thanks Russ

Just what I was looking for. Can you just clarify it was No53 General Hospital, as I had a previous reference of No 56 General Hospital?

Kind regards

Alan

[RussT]

24 minutes ago, Alan Fewtrell said:

Can you just clarify it was No53 General Hospital, as I had a previous reference of No 56 General Hospital?

Yes, you are correct - a typo on my part - now corrected in my post.

I note he also appears as a recorded entry for the 15th October 1917, alongside quite a few others, in the War Diary of the Etaples Base Commandant Oct 1917- May 1918 WO 95 4027/6, which you can download for free from The National Archives.

Regards

Russ

 

 

[Alan Fewtrell]

Thanks Russ