Royal Warwickshire Sergeant

[Terry Carter]

Hi Folks

I have had a query regarding a Medal Index Card search of a Sergeant of one of the Birmingham battalions (possibly the 3rd B'ham (16th Royal Warwicks). The same person appears to have served in two regiments at the same time ???

The date 21/11/15 is the day that the 14th, 15th & 16th Royal Warwicks went to France. In the 3rd Birmingham Bn Dinner Club list of members published in 1927 there is a RSM A Smith. There is also a CSM A Smith of B Company in the Birmingham battalions Book of Honour, unfortunately no service number next to his name.

Is it possible Sgt A Smith would have been serving in the Notts and Derby and transferred to one of the City battalions to be an instructor when they were first raised? I have a photograph of the original training staff when the battalion began its training in October, 1914. And some of the Sergeants in the photo do not appear to have Warwickshire cap badges on their service hats. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Terry

On the first card it is......

Alfred Smith = Notts and Derby

reg no - 36868,

Rank - Sgt

Date of enlistment =15-9-1914

Date of discharge = 1-7-1918

Cause of discharge = a.o. 265/17 291.S

Action Taken = list F/A/398

The second index card reads

Alfred Smith = (X) R War R = CSM = reg 846

also Notts and Derby = 36868

Victory (X) Roll =F/103b13 = page 2379

British = Roll = F/103b13 = page 2379

15 Star = Roll F/YC = page 71

Theartre of war first served in = (1)

Date of entry therein 21-11-1915

[SPotter]

Terry,

The first card you listed is that detailing the award of his 'Silver' War Badge indicating that he enlisted on 15.9.14 and was discharged on 1.7.18.

The second card is his Medal Index Card detailing the award of his 1915 Star trio. It appears his medals were issued to him named up to 846 CSM Royal Warwickshire Regt, though the card indicates he later transferred to the Notts & Derby Regt with new Regt'l number 36868. It is these latter details which appear on the War Badge card.

Given his rank of CSM by the time he entered went to France on 21.11.15 it is quite possible he had previous service.

Regards

Steve