tommie Posted 29 June , 2006 Share Posted 29 June , 2006 Can anyone please help me with a little family history, I was told that my Great Grandfather run away from home and enlisted underage into the Army. He was born 13 June 1898, he served with the 14th Argylls and the 5th Seaforths, his Regimental numbers were: 1) S / 19641 Argylls 2) S / 41230 Seaforths Can anyone help me to identify when the first Service number was allocated, and what the S and the beginning is for? Would he have been underage? This is an ongoing family history project, so thank you for all your help. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 29 June , 2006 Share Posted 29 June , 2006 Tom, My grandfather was from Shotts, and was in the 7th Seaforths. He was born December 1898, and enlisted end 1917/early 1918. Depends when your chap enlisted. Maybe if you look at casualties on SDGW with similar numbers, and then work back you might get an idea of time of enlistment (say 3 months back from time of casualties of similar numbers/regiment). It is only a guesstimate. The 'S' prefix to numbers in Scottish regiments denotes a 'service' recruit - ie. signed up for the duration only and not a regular. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommie Posted 29 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 29 June , 2006 Tom, My grandfather was from Shotts, and was in the 7th Seaforths. He was born December 1898, and enlisted end 1917/early 1918. Depends when your chap enlisted. Maybe if you look at casualties on SDGW with similar numbers, and then work back you might get an idea of time of enlistment (say 3 months back from time of casualties of similar numbers/regiment). It is only a guesstimate. The 'S' prefix to numbers in Scottish regiments denotes a 'service' recruit - ie. signed up for the duration only and not a regular. Ian Ian, The earliest photo I have of him he is dressed as a 5th Seaforth and on the back it is dated 1916. In another Seaforths Group picture he can be seen with two overseas chevrons on his right arm. S/19654 Pte Duncan Sneddon 11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Enlisted Stirling Residence Croy, Nairns KIA F & F 22/08/1917 Age 21 Son of Mrs. Mary Sneddon of Church View Condorrat, Glasgow. This soldier’s service number is only 13 numbers away from my Great Granddads S/19641. What does this tell me, that my Gt Grandfather enlisted in Stirling? Would you recommend trying to find out from a local paper for Croy, Nairns any more details about Duncan Sneddon above? Cheers Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 30 June , 2006 Share Posted 30 June , 2006 I am not expert enough on numbers to know if the place of enlistment was also relevant, but I guess the timing may point to 1916 enlistment, when comparing with your grandad's 1916 dated photo. Maybe still necessary to look at other casualties with similar numbers to try and draw a further bead. Suppose no harm to check out Duncan Sneddon in case it gives you further leads. I think it is a question of clutching at whatever straws you can find. I knew my grandad, and he told me some of his tales, but I was too young to ask detailed questions like 'where did you enlist'! May be worth getting the page of his medal roll entitlement and looking at the others listed there - especially if any became casualties. Ian Turner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Bulloch Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 Ian and Tom. I have the list of men who served, mentioned for Wishaw. I have other listings for town's or villiage's the list is as follows, Netherton, Cambusnethan, Newmains, Morningside & Chapel, Craigneuk (Dalziel Parish), Craigneuk (Cambusnethan Parish), Overtown,Waterloo, Castlehill and District If you need a look up for anyone from these area's it would be no problem. Tom I have a list of KIA for Shotts and District, Cheers Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott henderson Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 Tom. The S prefix to the service number is a Highland Regiment war service only number. Not sure if this helps. Regards. Scott. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 Tom, No I do not have such info.... But Rob - would love to see if you have anything for: Andrew Wands HLI (kia Galipoli) - from Wishaw Robert Muir - believe also HLI but may have been medically discharged. - from Shotts area (he was married and away from home by then, possibly Newarthill) James Muir Seaforths, originally from Shotts but may also have been Newarthill. Thanks Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Bulloch Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 Ian. Two Wands listed in the Wishaw area. KIA Andrew Wands 65 Glasgow Road Wishaw. listed with the Royal Scots and listed as wounded, John Wands 42.1/2 East Academy Street Black Watch.I hope this is of some help. Cheers Rob. Ps Added later-- Sorry could not find anything on James Muir in Shotts book. Sorry I do not have a list for Newarhill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 Rob, Thanks for that. Andrew Wands was HLI transferred to RS after Gretna. Cheers Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 I always wondered why so many Highland New Army units used the pre-fix "S", when I had a moment of inspiration. It may actually stand for "Short Service", which was the title of the attestation papers they were filling out at that particular time. It was officially known as "Army Form B.2512A - Short Service(For the Duration of the War with the Colours and in the Army Reserve)", an example of which I have in my paperwork collection. Do any of you Highland number followers have similar thoughts on this pre-fix? Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 Graham, With the exception of regiments such as the HLI, soldiers enlisted for 3 years or duration of the war tend to be prefixed with 's/' in highland regiments. The normal numbering rules apply to the original regulars and the TF. Aye Tom Mcc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 20 December , 2006 Share Posted 20 December , 2006 Graham, The 's' if anything, I think would stand for 'service' - as in the service battalions formed for hostilities only. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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