'RIF'

[Sapper Will]

Hello. I have here a card for Pte Joseph C. Hickox. Under regiment it says first 'RIF', Number 568. It has another serial number for him in the same regiment, 203841. Next he is listed as serving in the Royal Fusiliers, GS/143065. Now 'RIF' could stand for either Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers or the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Can I tell which he served in based on the service numbers? Thank you.

[Desmond7]

Royal Irish Fusiliers usually RIF ; Inniskillings usually R. Innis. F or R. In. Fus.?

[Sapper Will]

Royal Irish Fusiliers usually RIF ; Inniskillings usually R. Innis. F or R. In. Fus.?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you very much, Desmond. Now if I could just find out the battalions he served in I'd be set.

[steve fuller]

If I understand it correctly, the change to 6 digits indicates he was still in the RIF's early 1917, when they reorg'ed the Army, so he would have become an RF after that.

Does the MIC state what theatre he first entered?

I guess that, with such a low number, he was either in a TF unit, or a Regular soldier maybe? A low number also suggests his entry into the war before 1916, so the card may have the date (bits crossed). Should help narrow the unit possibilities down if nothing else?

[Sapper Will]

If I understand it correctly, the change to 6 digits indicates he was still in the RIF's early 1917, when they reorg'ed the Army, so he would have become an RF after that.

Does the MIC state what theatre he first entered?

I guess that, with such a low number, he was either in a TF unit, or a Regular soldier maybe? A low number also suggests his entry into the war before 1916, so the card may have the date (bits crossed). Should help narrow the unit possibilities down if nothing else? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you, Steve. The MIC has no information on theatre or dates of entry. However in 'Corps' it states 'RIF B RIG' or possibly 'KIG.' Do these other letters indicate a different unit?

[Desmond7]

I looked at the bare details on the 'cover' of this card - as far as I can see he was Rifle Brigade?

Des

[Sapper Will]

I looked at the bare details on the 'cover' of this card - as far as I can see he was Rifle Brigade?

Des

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ooooohhhhh! Now I feel like a bloody fool. Of course it must mean Rifle Brigade. That's what comes from squinting at these danged things too closely!

It's still a mystery to me why he was transferred to the Royal Fusiliers. If his original battalion was disbanded, wouldn't the survivors have gone to another Rifle Brigade battalion?

[steve fuller]

Dont feel daft mate! Im sure Ive done worse!!

Could have moved for any number of reasons mate. usually "personal" (wounded, recovered & sent to a nearer or more appropriate unit) or "Organisational" (the original unit disbanded) are the normal ones ...

Xfers between units wasnt a rare event, given the size & complexity of what was happening then.

[Desmond7]

Never feel daft ... the number of red-faces I've had on this forum are uncountable! Ask and the collective 'brain' will start whirring. That's what makes the forum!!

Go on my son.