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Remembered Today:

Sherwood Forester Enlistment Date Database


Andrew Hesketh

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Hi folks,

Some of you may have noticed that queries regarding SF numbers crop up quite frequently. As a result I began, a while ago, developing a database containing information on number, date of enlistment and battalion. From this I have already been able to significantly narrow down the likely time of enlistment within some number ranges and in some cases can now give a precise date (or close to it). However, I've now run out of my own raw material so I'm asking if anyone else can add to it.

If you have a Forester, his number and known date of enlistment I'd like to hear from you, even if the enlistment date is not precise - a known month would still help (however, any dates must be known, not merely assumed!)

If you can help, could you provide information in the following format, either below or via PM:

Name / Number / Enlistment Date / Battalion /

Thanks in advance. :)

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Hi Andrew,

My solitary Sherwoods SWB page entries (as mentioned on Jim Davies' other thread) unfortunately I don't know the Battalions.

14501 Pte John Turner (SWB) 2058 e. 04.09.14 disch. 31.12.16 Wounds

1617 Pte Percy Morris 1057 e. 26.07.08 d. 23.06.16 W.

3035 Pte Jim Woodhead 1059 e. 16.04.09 d. 07.06.16 W.

3886 Pte James Arth. Pratt 1060 e. 12.08.14 d. 14.06.16 Sickness, shell shock.

5098 Pte John Henry Wragg 1061 e. 27.08.14 d. 05.11.16 S.

6?152 Pte John Thos. Noon 1062 e. 22.08.14 d. 12.05.16 W.

5254 Pte Claude Stacey 1063 e. 25.08.14 d. 18.05.16 S.

6431 Pte Albert Bassett 1064 e. 02.09.14 d. 09.08.16 S.

6716 Pte Albert Ed. Wormald 1065 e.08.09.14 d. 31.03.16 W.

7528 Pte George Kniveton 1066 e. 16.09.14 d. 02.09.16 S.

9313 Cpl Albert Allen 1067 e. 26.07.08 d. 17.06.16 W.

6950 Pte Henry Ransom 1068 e. 29.08.01 d. 11.04.16 S.

All the above men served overseas.

Steve.

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Steve,

That will be a help (I'd already nicked the one you mentioned on Jim's thread!). Don't worry about the battalions - that's the least important aspect ofthe exercise at the moment. Thanks very much.

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Andrew,

I have a few Foresters from Mansfield Woodhouse that may be useful. Some have obits that state dates joined, i'll have a look if any good?

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My only Forester that I'm sure about is:_

Harry Birch, 9793, pre-war, 2nd Bn

Cheers

Ken

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Anthony, any that you've got will be welcome.

Ken, thanks for that. 9793 (if my databse thus far is working) would suggest an enlistment date of no later than the end of 1907 - probably 1906. I don't have too many men with definite dates in the 9*** range so every new one is useful. Quite a few 9*** men appear to have been reservists recalled to the colours in August 1914 and all thus far appear to be 2nd Battalion, like your man.

Keep 'em coming please! :)

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Andrew,

Will have a look.

Just out of interest re the 9*** numbers. I have in my collection a 1914 star to 9802 Sjt A Maskell who was killed with the 10th Bn 14/02/1916. CWGC shows he served 11 years and the star is named 2nd Bn (i think), will have to check.

Your 1906-1907 isn't too far off, may be as early as 1904/1905..................................

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Anthony,

Cheers mate.

I'm concerned over two of the numbers Steve throws up above though. Most of them at first glance appear to be 4 digit territorials so that's fine. However,

3035 Pte Jim Woodhead 1059 e. 16.04.09 - the number seems high for a 1909 territorial, but if he isn't it drops a small nuclear device into my carefully laid plans......

and

9313 Cpl Albert Allen 1067 e. 26.07.08 d. 17.06.16 W - definitely not territorial, so why 1908? He should be 1907 at the very latest. Bum. :(

I need more pre-war men!

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Andrew,

Sory mate, but Maskell is 1st Battalion.

I have a few interesting ones coming to light for you!

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20234 G T Barnes Aug-Sep 1914 10th Bn

12525 G Blythe Aug 17 1914 9th

305586 L/Cpl T Bullock Sep 1914 1/8th

67022 Pte T Carrington Feb 1916

2482 N Chadbourne Sep 1914 1/8th

15540 W Chantry March 1915

15577 W Clarke Aug 1914 11th

27379 W Creary May 1915

15536 J Driver Sep 1914 11th

305607 W Heald Aug-Sep 1914

27777 A Lee June 1915 17th

22248 W H Lilliman 14 Aug 1914

19054 J Lloyd 16 Nov 1914

203815 H Mellors 22 Apr 1917

2416 E Millband Sep 7 1914 1/8th

18556 H Neale MM Nov 4 1914 16th

22230 J T Odam Jan 1915

27813 R Osborne July 1 1915

10099 A Phillips-Taylor reservist recalled 2 N&D Aug 5 1914

2551 E Richardson Sep 1914 1/8th

19583 J E Roberts Nov 1914

1641 E Robinson Territorial pre war 1/8th

18478 J W Smith Nov 1914 2nd

27398 F Taylor 15th June 1915

26289 CQMS F Tudge May 1915 16th

15555 H Wharton Sep 1914

Hope these help??

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If it is of any interest to you I have a copy of the four foolscap pages of casualties for the 17th SF for 31st July from the War Diary.

Aye

Malcolm

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Pte 20089 Arthur Robert Crofts (Later 203353)

Medal Card:

Arthur Robert Crofts

Notts & Derby R. - Pte. - 20089

Ditto - 203353

Pair - H103B28 5481

SWB List FA/1278

SWB Roll:

203353 - Private - Crofts, Arthur Robert - Notts & Derbyshire Regt - B243686 - Enlisted 19/2/16 - Discharged 4/7/19 - (xvi) age 29

BWM & Victory Medal Roll:

203353 - Pte - Crofts. Arthur Robert - 20089 1/5th Bn. Notts & Derby R. - Pte. 203353 11th Bn. Notts & Derby R.

Is this any help?

Regards

Gavin

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Andrew,

All the below are from the book Rutland & The Great War:

13394 Tom Arthur Rouse-Aug 1914-9th Battalion

15031 Sidney Charles Corston-4 Sep 1914-15th Battalion

17584 Robert Charlton-? Sep 1914-enlisted into the "Nottingham City Battalion"

18194 Walter Gibson-? Nov 1914

23063 Edward Lewin-7 Feb 1915-17th Battalion

95303 Sidney Porter-29 Aug 1917-16th Batalion

Jim

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Anthony, Gavin & Jim,

Thanks for these details. I will add them to my collection.

Malcolm,

Thanks for the kind offer - if the details include enlistment dates I would be very interested.

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May or may not be useful...

70380 L/Cpl T A Wheatley, 17th Btn, KiA 30-7-17. Enlisted 3/4th Leicestershire Rgt (he was serving by March 1916), drafted July 1916 to 17th Sherwoods.

George Grainger, Sherwoods, no number, enlisted June 1917.

E B Plater, Sherwoods, no number, enlisted Dec 1916.

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May or may not be useful...

70380 L/Cpl T A Wheatley, 17th Btn, KiA 30-7-17. Enlisted 3/4th Leicestershire Rgt (he was serving by March 1916), drafted July 1916 to 17th Sherwoods.

George Grainger, Sherwoods, no number, enlisted June 1917.

E B Plater, Sherwoods, no number, enlisted Dec 1916.

L Cpl Wheatley was in B Company.

Andrew,

No enlistment dates just kia, wounded, etc.

Aye

Malcolm

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Thanks anyway Malcolm.

Private George Mee 2550 September 1914. 2nd Battallion, Alan Mee

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Alan,

That's an interesting one. He must have been a territorial who switched to the 2nd with a number like that....unless he enlisted way back in the early 1900's. Can you shed any light on this?

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Hi Andrew,Re George Henry Mee,Born Aldershot 1875 to a military family,served in the Boer War but not with the Foresters I cannot find the regiment he was in.Cannot place him between the Boer war and WW1 only that he was living in Nottingham. Regards Alan

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Alan,

The lowest number I have with an enlistment date so far is 4490 and this was in 1905. Therefore, it's possible / probable that he switched to the Notts & Derbys shortly after the Boer War.

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Hi Andrew

I have a 71776 Pte Horace Bugby. 'B' Company 1st Bn. Killed in action 31/3/1918. He was born in Raunds, Northants, enlisted in Kettering, Northants and at the time of his death was living in Raunds. 19 years of age.

Regards

Andy

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Andy,

Thank you. I'm lacking enlistment dates in the 7***** range. Do you happen to know his date of enlistment? My estimation of that number from current information is mid-late 1916.

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