Grandfathers Uniform Picture

[Swally]

My Grandfather enlisted aged 15, he was from Aberdeen and I believe that he joined the R.H.A. the picture attached is circa 1904-05. He left the army around 1909 but re-enlisted for WW1 where I believe he was part of the B.E.F. I have tried to locate his service record but to no avail. Would there possibly have been a mobile recruiting office that would have went to Aberdeen or is it possible that (as I believe) he ran away from home to be a boys soldier

Best Regards,

Ally

[Paul Johnson]

Ally,

What was your grandfathers name? Do you have any details about his army service at all, i.e. his Regimental Service number?

I am sure we maybe able to help you.

Regards

PAUL JOHNSON

[Swally]

Ally,

What was your grandfathers name? Do you have any details about his army service at all, i.e. his Regimental Service number?

I am sure we maybe able to help you.

Regards

PAUL JOHNSON

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Robert Allan , was known as Bob he was born in Aberdeen on the 1st of May 1885 at Hutcheon Street, Aberdeen. He was promoted through the ranks to that of Captain? He was Mustard Gassed and also recieved shrapnel injuries and was sent back home to a hospital in England (don't know which one). The government of that time made a Land Repeal act which saw N.C.O. awarded a "small holding" he was awarded one in Peebles Scotland. The only other info I have is that he gave away his leave pass to a young chap who was shell shocked. He also refused to pick up his soldiers pension He also had a brother John Smith Allan but I can find no record of him either.

Again any help would be appreciated.

Ally

[Paul Johnson]

Ally,

Would he be Robert Beausire Allan?

I have found a Captain by that name of the 4th Royal Scots Territorial Force.

And, would it be John Smith Allan, 2nd Lieutenant of the Machine Gun Corps?

Could we be on the right trail already?

Regards

PAUL JOHNSON

[PPCLI]

Ally,

There is also a Robert William Allan:

Royal Artillery - Second Lieutenant

Royal Garrison Artillery - Captain

Royal Artillery attached 114th Pack Battery - Captain

No sign of him coming up through the ranks (unlike the man Paul found), but he may have another MIC somewhere that maybe is only under Robert W Allan say. A lot of ordinary ranks are only give a middle initial rather than full name.

Stuart

[Swally]

Ally,

Would he be Robert Beausire Allan?

I have found a Captain by that name of the 4th Royal Scots Territorial Force.

And, would it be John Smith Allan, 2nd Lieutenant of the Machine Gun Corps?

Could we be on the right trail already?

Regards

PAUL JOHNSON

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[Swally]

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Paul,

sorry his parents must have been very poor and couldn't afford a middle name.

Just the basic Robert (Bob) Allan but please do keep searching.

Best Regards,

Ally

[Swally]

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Paul,

as for the John Smith Allan I have no idea but I do believe he was killed during W.W.1

Sorry I don't have much to go on but he died in 1965 just before I was born, he would have been 81. My own father died some 18 years ago and his only relative left doesn't know much of what her father did during the war. So I am somewhat in the dark.

Best Regards,

Ally

[Paul Johnson]

Hi Ally,

I am away for the weekend but I have checked on John Smith Allan and can only find the man I mentioned earlier. He was;

17th Highland Light Infantry 15227 Private

Machine Gun Corps Second Lieutenant

There was a J S Allan shown as killed by the CWGC but it looks as though he was John Steele Allan (not your man). His details are below;

ALLAN

Initials: J S

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment: 9th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers

Age: 36

Date of Death: 12/10/1916

Son of Mrs. J. Wilson, of "Bent View", Netherbusn, Lanarkshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. E. 2.

Cemetery: A.I.F. BURIAL GROUND, FLERS

There were 173 J Allan's shown on the CWGC Website but I have not had time to search these. I will try to find out more details on my return.

Regards

PAUL JOHNSON