Delay between service record entry and Battalion diary entry

[Skipman]

A number of service records have men "joined Battalion in Field"  the 1/6th W Yorks on the 19th of May 1918 but the war diary 23rd May 1918  mentions a draft of 174 other ranks joining. Pretty sure this would be the draft I'm looking for. Why the delay between the date mentioned in the service record and the actual date the draft joined the Battalion?

Mike

[RussT]

I've noticed that on a number of occasions with a difference of a few days.

I haven't found a definite answer but one possible answer might depend on where the Battalion was in the field. If they were in the front line, then the draft might join the details (e.g. the transport section, quartermaster and men left out of battle) in the reserve area and only later joined the Battalion  "proper" when the Battalion came out of the line and the draft could be appropriately divided up between the four Companies.

Just a guess

I'll be interested in learning more if the answer lies elsewhere.

Regards

Russ

[Skipman]

Thanks Russ. That's possible and I too look forward to any other theories.

 

Mike