Julie Kelly Posted 12 March , 2006 Share Posted 12 March , 2006 I am trying to research my Grandfather Driver Albert Richard Parker who served in WW1 in the Royal Field Artillery the regiment is given as 146286. I would like to know the name of the regiment and be able to find any other records (I have medal card) and or find Hat badge or emblem for this regiment. I know he lived in South Norwood, Surrey area if this is of help. Any help with finding this information greatly appreciated. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 12 March , 2006 Share Posted 12 March , 2006 Dear Julie, From the Surrey Recruitment Register, the following entry might be of interest to you: A. Parker Enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery Attestation Date: 12/12/15 Where Attested: Croydon Birthplace: Norwood Occupation: Cook Age: 18 years 7 months Height: 5 ft 5½ ins Weight: 136 lbs Chest: 37 ins Expansion: 3 ins Remarks: 78, Addison Road, S. Norwood Regards, Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 15 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 15 March , 2006 Sandycroft. Thanks so much for that. It is definately him as I know they lived at 78 Addison Road, South Norwood. Thanks again. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 15 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 15 March , 2006 Sandycroft. Any ideas on where I should go now to find out actual name of his unit and hopefully find out regiment or hat badge illustration. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 15 March , 2006 Share Posted 15 March , 2006 Julie, The cap badge would take this shape. Regular soldiers of the RFA/RGA/RHA all used this cap badge. Territorial Force and New Army ones tended to have unit identifiction on the scroll, or an extra line of scroll. Hope this helps Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 15 March , 2006 Share Posted 15 March , 2006 Julie Any ideas on where I should go now to find out actual name of his unit and hopefully find out regiment You already know his unit, it's the Royal Field Artillery. The number 146286 is his Service Number in that unit. Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 15 March , 2006 Share Posted 15 March , 2006 Steve, please don't take this the wrong way But his unit is not the RFA, his Regiment is. His unit would be the Battery and Brigade for example. C Battery 78 Brigade RFA, part of 17 (Northern) Division. Julie, You may have a photograph looking similar to this in your possession, these are RFA (Please not the shape of the cap badge and boots with spurs - not generally worn in the field): Hope this helps Tom McC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 16 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 16 March , 2006 Tom A McCluskey, Tom I definately know he was RFA as I have his medal card. Apparently according to my Dad he drove a cart to front line containing ammunition. It is obvious from what you say that I need to find Battery and Brigade. How can I do this? Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 16 March , 2006 Share Posted 16 March , 2006 Julie, The next bit I have never done, so I am hoping that one of the more experienced researchers comes into the forum and gives you advice. I believe the National Archives may hold some soldiers' records (a lot were destroyed by German bombing during the Second World War). You can request copies of these records. Also there should be a comprehesive medal roll kept at the National Archives, as each medal had to be issed to an identified individual, I would hope that this identified the soldier by Rigiment/Corps and unit that he belongs to. I have not seen an example of this medal roll, but I have no doubt many have. Incidentally Julie, out of interest, my paternal Great Grandfather was also a driver in the RFA . hope this helps Tom McC *Regiment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 16 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 16 March , 2006 Tom A. McCluskey, Thanks for that. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philg Posted 16 March , 2006 Share Posted 16 March , 2006 I don't mean to hijack this but I wonder if Sandcroft could tell me a little bit more about the Surrey Recruitment Register. I'm trying to research some Surrey men and have had zero luck with AVL's for the area and wonder if that might hold the info I'm after. Much obliged Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 17 March , 2006 Share Posted 17 March , 2006 Dear Philg, The Surrey Recruitment Registers, cover the period 1908 to mid 1933. The registers are produced by the Surrey History Trust. If you would care to list the men that you are interested in, I could look them up for you. Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSH Posted 17 March , 2006 Share Posted 17 March , 2006 Hi Sandcroft Could you please check for my grandfather Henry William Higgs L46678. Thanks Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 LSH, The only H W Higgs in the Surrey Register was born in Bredon, and enlisted in the East Surrey Regiment (3rd Battalion). I've checked the Medal Index, which shows that your Grandfather was in the Royal Field Artillery, so, unfortunately, this does not appear to be the same man. Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 18 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Sandycroft, Referring back to the information you kindly looked up for A. Parker I don't suppose it stated his Batallion and Brigade he went into? I would love to know this and don't know how to find it out. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Dear Julie, I'm afraid that there are no further details listed in the register. I would suggest that you try the National Archives as stated in the thread posted by Tom McClusky. The references for these documents are; WO 363 the 'Burnt Documents' and WO 364 the 'Unburnt Documents'. May I also suggest that you try researching the local newspaper for the period, it is possible that he was mentioned and his Battery and /or Brigade listed. Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 18 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Sandycroft, Thanks will try both of these. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philg Posted 18 March , 2006 Share Posted 18 March , 2006 Hi Sandcroft, Thanks for the kind offer. The man I'm researching is Reginald Shephard who lived in Holmbury St. Mary at either The Glade or Cherry Bank. I'd also be keen to find out any info on his brothers, Thomas, George, Arthur, Oliver, Walter and John. regards Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 19 March , 2006 Share Posted 19 March , 2006 Dear Phil, In the search for Reginald Shepard, I have noted the following entries: R. Shephard Regiment: Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) Where Attested: Kingston Attestation Date: 02 02 17 Age: 40 yrs 0 mths Height: 5ft 4ins Weight: 152 lbs Chest: 38ins Expansion: 3ins Medical Grade: B1 Remarks: 20 Ferrers Rd, Streatham R. Sheppard Regiment: Royal Engineers Where Attested: Croydon Attestation Date: 08 08 15 Birthplace: Norwood Occupation: Dairyman Age: 35 yrs 9 mths Height: 5ft 5ins Weight: 123 lbs Chest: 32ins Expansion: 2ins Distinctive Marks: Tattoo Left Forearm R. Shepherd Regiment: Northamptonshire Regiment (8th Batn) Where Attested: Wandsworth Attestation Date: 11 12 15 Birthplace: Peckham Age: 32 yrs 8 mths Height: 5ft 6ins Weight: 131 lbs Chest: 36ins Expansion: 3ins Occupation: Tinman Remarks: 8 Alma Road, Wandsworth Could you let me know when and where Reginald's brothers were born, to help me narrow the search. Thanks. Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philg Posted 19 March , 2006 Share Posted 19 March , 2006 Reg was born in 1896 in Shere, Surrey which is near Guildford. His brothers were all born in Shere as well. Thomas 1892, George 1890, Arthur 1880, Oliver 1876, Walter 1874 and John 1872. Many thanks Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 21 March , 2006 Share Posted 21 March , 2006 Dear Julie, Here are a few details of the service record of Albert Richard Parker: 5a Reserve Bde - Posted Driver - 9/6/16 25th Reserve Bty - 1/7/16 4a Reserve Bde - 13/9/16 No. 2 Section Reserve D.A.C. became 11th Bde Amm Col. - 27/9/16 Embarked overseas to France - 27/9/16 D/331st Bde - 8/3/19 1/1 Essex Heavy Artillery - 16/4/19 79th Bde R.G.A. - 17/4/19 Essex Heavy Artillery to Rhine Army Con Camp for Demob - 10/9/19 Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 23 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 23 March , 2006 Sandycroft. Thank you very much for that, it is certainly nice to have more details about him. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 23 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 23 March , 2006 Sandycroft, Sorry to bother you again. On the details you very kindly found on the Surrey Recruitment Register it has Albert's attestation date as 12/12/15 in Croydon. The first date it mentions on his service record details is 9/6/1916, is there any mention of his first posting. Is there any way of sending or applying for a copy of his service record? Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandcroft Posted 23 March , 2006 Share Posted 23 March , 2006 Dear Julie, His previous service: Army Reserve 13/12/15: No. 4 Depot posted Driver 12/5/16 You have the very good fortune that Albert Richard Parker's service records survive (most were destroyed during the Second World War). They are held at the N.A. The document reference is WO 363, film box p1004, items 0720-0750. I hope this helps. Sandcroft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Kelly Posted 23 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 23 March , 2006 Sandycroft, Many thanks, once again. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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