What info can be on a SWB Roll?

[highland]

Hello all

I have my Great Grandfather's SWB number from his medal index card.

If I look the SWB Roll up (or pay for a service to do this, I'm too far away!), what information is usually there? From the article on the main site here, I gather can expect date and reason of discharge-great!

Does it look anything like the regular medal roll, one typed line per entry; what sort of detail is there, is it vague; one or two words; is there a box which might be filled with information?

It's a Royal Engineers entry as well, so I'd be interested in battalion details etc., as the site info also tells me that this will not be on his regular medal roll entry. Am I likely to be lucky?

Would there be anyone good enough to perhaps even scan in an example of the SWB roll so I could see?

I really want to pay for someone to look up for me, but want to be sure as I've a few relatives I'm researching, and it's proving expensive (though rewarding) so far.

With many thanks

[Stebie9173]

The usual info is:

Date of discharge.

Date of enlistment.

Unit discharged from (though this may be the Depot!)

Reason discharged (may state KR ref, often KR 392 xvi and Wounded or Sick, and sometimes a more detailed description of reason for discharge)

Steve.

[Coldstreamer]

hello

some show the place discharged from (where the depot was as Stebie says)

Ian

[GavinH]

On some rolls the soldiers ages are listed.

Regards

Gavin

[highland]

Thank you all for your speedy and informative replies, much appreciated!

I'm going to go ahead and get someone to look this up for me,

Your knowledge and willingness to share it is brilliant!

With thanks and regards.

[Michael]

Here is an example of section of a typical Buffs Hounslow roll. Note that it also states whether they went overseas.

Be careful with enlistment dates, especially the Derby scheme men, because it can be different from the date that they actually turned up at the gates.

Mick

[Michael]

...and a more unusual one from Hounslow

Mick

[Chris]

Another example; this time of the Lincs, this one an example with the soldiers age on.

[highland]

Thank you so much Michael and Chris, that's very kind of you both to take the time to do that; I'm impatient to get my hands on my own one now!

I can see it's really worth getting a copy of...definitely worth getting as it adds quite a lot to the picture you build up of a person...isn't it great when these names become real people?

With many thanks and kind regards

[Michael]

isn't it great when these names become real people?

Oh yes.

Don't forget the medal rolls and service records while your getting the SWB roll. Medal Index Cards are only the first step on a long long trail. Try and get down to Kew if you can; it will be a rewarding experience to view the original documents.

We have at least one very knowledgable Pal who is an RE enthusiast so come back if you need more info.

One tip - make sure you make your topic heading an eyecatching one if you're looking for specialist advice on units.

Mick

[highland]

Yes, I've seen some replies with amazing detail regarding REs, am just trying to get all my queries together before I post and ask about the RE details specifically...with a better title...!

I'm looking at the Meritorious Service Medal card also...do you know if the Registered paper and Schedule numbers given at the bottom mean anything / can reveal anything, or are they of no help?

Cheers!

[Michael]

I don't think they are of any use to us. I always take a note of them when I'm looking at MSMs, MMs, etc but haven't made any sense of them.

You could try starting another thread to see if anyone else has any thoughts

Mick

[highland]

Thanks again for all your time, will do that just now and try my luck with my REs queries as well.

With kind regards.