8th batt kings royal rifle corps

[kirsten_millinson@hotmail.com]

Hello, I hope you can help me I am researching The 8th battalion KRRC in particular George camplin who was killed in action 20 august 1915

I have many questions when men joined up how was it decided what battalion etc they went in he was from Lincolnshire how did he end up in the KRRC?

All the info I have is that he was killed in action and alittle bit from soldiers died in the great war, would anybody have his medals? his family or what would happen to the medals of a dead soldier? was the rank RFN same as private?

I understand that many records were burnt and I live in darkest Lincolnshire is there any was of finding out more about him?

many thanks

milly

[PBI]

8th Service Battalion,formed at Winchester 21.8.1914

November 1914 - At Hindhead in Billets

Febuary 1915- Bordon,Hants

March 1915- Aldershot

May 1915 - Landed at Boulogne

03.08.1918 - Disbanded

[shinglma]

Milly

I too am researching the 8/KRRC with whom my great-uncle served. He was killed in action on 02/07/1916 and is commemorated here.

With regard to George Camplin I have visited his grave in Potijze Burial Ground and have attached photo.

I have a copy of the 8/KRRC war diary but no indication is given as to how he was killed. On 20th August 1915 8/KRRC were employed as working parties at Chateau Wood at St Jean north-east of Ypres.

With regard to the 8/KRRC the broad dates listed by PBI are correct. The KRRC recruited nationally and the database I am building of the 8th battalion men shows that they did indeed originate from all over the country.

His medals would have been issued automatically - should they have been returned for any reason (eg amendment, undeliverable) it will show on the medal rolls at Kew. I will check him out when I visit tomorrow.

Rifleman is the term used for the rank of Private in a rifle regiment.

Hope this helps. Send me a PM if you would like a copy of the war diary.

Mike

[kirsten_millinson@hotmail.com]

Dear Mike

many thanks for all the wonderful information it has really helped

I would love a copy of the war diary and any other info you can think of Many thanks for that, would you like me to give you my address etc I could not work out what PM stood for.

I am so grateful for the picture of his gravestone I will be able to tell my gran who is 94 and show her he was her uncle

would his parent s have received his medals can I find out who they were given to or whether they were given to anyone ?

again many thanks for your help

Kirsten Millinson (milly)

I too am researching the 8/KRRC with whom my great-uncle served. He was killed in action on 02/07/1916 and is commemorated here.

With regard to George Camplin I have visited his grave in Potijze Burial Ground and have attached photo.

I have a copy of the 8/KRRC war diary but no indication is given as to how he was killed. On 20th August 1915 8/KRRC were employed as working parties at Chateau Wood at St Jean north-east of Ypres.

With regard to the 8/KRRC the broad dates listed by PBI are correct. The KRRC recruited nationally and the database I am building of the 8th battalion men shows that they did indeed originate from all over the country.

His medals would have been issued automatically - should they have been returned for any reason (eg amendment, undeliverable) it will show on the medal rolls at Kew. I will check him out when I visit tomorrow.

Rifleman is the term used for the rank of Private in a rifle regiment.

Hope this helps. Send me a PM if you would like a copy of the war diary.

Mike

[Mark JP]

Mike, can you do me a real favour and tell me if you have come across anyone in the 8th battn by the name of Morran please. I have spent many hours trying to discover which battn my two great uncles were in, if you can say yes or no at least I can cross another one off,

Thanks

Mark

[shinglma]

Mike, can you do me a real favour and tell me if you have come across anyone in the 8th battn by the name of Morran please. I have spent many hours trying to discover which battn my two great uncles were in, if you can say yes or no at least I can cross another one off,

Thanks

Mark

Mark

The database is less than a third complete and so far there is no-one name Morran listed.

Are they the two men named Morran on the Medal index Cards in the KRRC?

If so I would be happy to look them up on the medal rolls to ascertain their battalion.

Mike

[shinglma]

Milly

I've contacted you off list.

mike

[Mark JP]

Yes Mike, they are John and Arthur Morran from Derbyshire, their father served in Rifle Brigade in the 3rd Burma war and was also in the Boer war hence them wanting to serve. If you get to know their battalion I would be most grateful for the info.

Thanks

Mark

[shinglma]

Yes Mike, they are John and Arthur Morran from Derbyshire, their father served in Rifle Brigade in the 3rd Burma war and was also in the Boer war hence them wanting to serve. If you get to know their battalion I would be most grateful for the info.

Thanks

Mark

Mark

It should show on the medal rolls - I'll look them up at Kew next week.

Give me a nudge if I forget.

Mike

[Mark JP]

Here's the gentle nudge Mike, any joy?

Mark

[shinglma]

Mark

from the medal rolls

Rfn John Morran Y/1196 8th King's Royal Rifle Corps

Pte Arthur Morran 46384 2nd King's Royal Rifle Corps &

GS/92785 2/2 London Regiment

I've got a few more details - will let you know when I have pulled it all together.

Kind regards

Mike

[Mark JP]

Well Mike, your helpful research set me to thinking so I asked my grandma at 88 years of age what she might know. `Oh I can't remember' she shouted' ask Alma'. Turns out that John's daughter is still alive, my second cousin. I wrote her a letter aving found out that my grandma also had her address.

Now for the revelation: She phoned me and told me a great tale. Her father was captured during the war, he was wounded after an attack and the Germans counter attacked, as one passed John asked him for help and the soldier put his greatcoat over him, it being December, and then later more germans thought he was german being wrapped in this greatcoat and took him back in. He kept quiet until later when he had to explain what he was doing in a GERMAN greatcoat. Anyway, she has his paybook. Shows his number as Sargeant and R8005, 7TH Battalion. `No' I says, `thats wrong. His number wasn't that and he was a private'. `Plus', she added ` he only has one R in his name here John Moran. He always said he changed it so people didn't mistake him for his dad in the Army'.

It all clicked into place suddenly. I have a picture of my great granddad who would have been 47 in 1915 in a group of soldiers which I assumed was Boer War but always felt unsure about as the unifrom looked Great War.

Conclusion: My Great Granddad. John Morran, went to France in 1915 (aged 47) with the KRRC 8th Bttn, His son John Moran, went to France in 1915 with the KRRC 7th Bttn and one of his other sons also served in the KRRC 2nd Bttn.

The sad news is she has lost his medals in the past but at least I now know I am looking for medals for John Moran R8005 AND John Morran (as well as Arthurs).

Good story eh?

Mark