Nigel M Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Having read the information from this great site I am hoping that someone may be able to help with some additional details. My ggrandfather enlisted with the 4th Tyneside Irish(NF) which I assume was a Pals Battalion from the Gateshead mining community as we have recentley got hold of his medal card details.However his death is recorded on the Ploegsreet Memorial as having been NF Fusiliers 1st/4th Bn. attd. 149th Trench Mortar Bty. Was it common for men to move from various details or would a different posting offer more money/safety from front line danger or not as in this case. As he is recorded as" Pres Dead" we would appreciate if anyone had more information available on life and death in a Trench Mortar Battery in 1918 . CHJ Meek d 12/04018. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliekiwi Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 I can't comment on the Tyneside Irish, but I do think people were transferred to and from various details with relative frequency, depending on what that detail was. One of my great great uncles was seconded to theTrench Mortars for a couple of months before rejoining his infantry battalion. Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel, Could we have a name please and regimental number, so that I can check against details of the Tyneside Irish? It's sounds as though he may have transferred to the 1/4th Bn,N.F., which were a Territorial Bn, for him to end up in 149th Light Trench Mortar Battery. At the same time it's a specialist job, which he may have learned during his time in the T.I., so he may have even served in 103rd L.T.M.B. Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 9 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel, Could we have a name please and regimental number, so that I can check against details of the Tyneside Irish? It's sounds as though he may have transferred to the 1/4th Bn,N.F., which were a Territorial Bn, for him to end up in 149th Light Trench Mortar Battery. At the same time it's a specialist job, which he may have learned during his time in the T.I., so he may have even served in 103rd L.T.M.B. Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 9 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel, Could we have a name please and regimental number, so that I can check against details of the Tyneside Irish? It's sounds as though he may have transferred to the 1/4th Bn,N.F., which were a Territorial Bn, for him to end up in 149th Light Trench Mortar Battery. At the same time it's a specialist job, which he may have learned during his time in the T.I., so he may have even served in 103rd L.T.M.B. Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 9 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel, Could we have a name please and regimental number, so that I can check against details of the Tyneside Irish? It's sounds as though he may have transferred to the 1/4th Bn,N.F., which were a Territorial Bn, for him to end up in 149th Light Trench Mortar Battery. At the same time it's a specialist job, which he may have learned during his time in the T.I., so he may have even served in 103rd L.T.M.B. Graham. Graham His name is Charles Henry James Meek and his service number was 204612 thanks Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John84 Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel, Could we have a name please and regimental number, so that I can check against details of the Tyneside Irish? It's sounds as though he may have transferred to the 1/4th Bn,N.F., which were a Territorial Bn, for him to end up in 149th Light Trench Mortar Battery. At the same time it's a specialist job, which he may have learned during his time in the T.I., so he may have even served in 103rd L.T.M.B. Graham. Graham, his names on Nigel’s first post CHJ Meek. Looking at his service ‘27/513’ number on the medal index cards he was with the 27th Bn.,…however the CWGC give his service number as 204612, which I believe is a block of numbers for the 1/4th Bn…..He is also listed on the Nominal Roll for the 1/4th Bn on the site below John. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=12 http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=870359 http://www.4thbnnf.com/64_nominalroll.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 9 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Graham, his names on Nigel’s first post CHJ Meek. Looking at his service ‘27/513’ number on the medal index cards he was with the 27th Bn.,…however the CWGC give his service number as 204612, which I believe is a block of numbers for the 1/4th Bn…..He is also listed on the Nominal Roll for the 1/4th Bn on the site below John. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=12 http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=870359 http://www.4thbnnf.com/64_nominalroll.htm Thanks for all the deatails but I now a little confused. Could you please explain/suggest why he would have 2 different service numbers as I was under the impression that they would identify which regiment they served with. Also what is a Nominal Roll? many thanks Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John84 Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Thanks for all the deatails but I now a little confused. Could you please explain/suggest why he would have 2 different service numbers as I was under the impression that they would identify which regiment they served with. Also what is a Nominal Roll? many thanks Nigel Nigel, Graham may be able to explain why two service numbers etc, when he’s back on the forum, he specialises in things to do with the Northumberland Fusiliers. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel, Charles Henry James Meek was originally born in Drybrook, Gloster, and at the time of enlistment into the 27th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers(4th Tyneside Irish) was known to be living at Esther Pit Cottages, Burnopfield. He was probably wounded on the 1st July 1916, although the date it's recorded in the regimental journal is August 1916. This is simply because of the number of casualties on the Somme, names were not all released at once and you do infact find the gaps begin to grow between a casualty event an it's eventual reporting. His wound may have been enough to have him hospitalised as we later find him transferred to the 25th Bn, N.F.(2nd Tyneside Irish). He remained with them until his move to the 1/4th Bn, N.F.(T.F.) were he was renumbered 204162, but for what reason is currently unknown, as he's not listed as wounded for a second time, nor do any lists of "sick to hospital" exist, so we can't really say. While with the 1/4th Bn he was attached 149th Light Trench Mortar Battery. The re-numbering of soldiers can be complicated, but in it's simplest terms a soldier from a regular or service battalion couldn't be transferred to a Territorial battalion or vice-versa, without the express permission of the man being transferred. However transferring appears to have been made simpler after the introduction of the Military Services Act in 1916, due to controversies which I won't go into. Anyway as Charles only has a six figure T.F. number, which were issued from ealry 1917 onwards, and as he has no four figure T.F. number then I would say his transfer took place sometime between 1917 and his death in 1918. Had he had both a four figure T.F. number as well as a six figure T.F. one, then the transfer would have taken place prior to 1917. Hope it's bit clearer. Graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel I notice that your ggrandfather's younger brother Francis Reginald also died during WW1 with the 171st Tunnelling Company in 13/06/1917. The Meeks appeared to be one of the largest families in The Forest of Dean in the 1800s. Do you know of any more of your family who served ? Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 9 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel I notice that your ggrandfather's younger brother Francis Reginald also died during WW1 with the 171st Tunnelling Company in 13/06/1917. The Meeks appeared to be one of the largest families in The Forest of Dean in the 1800s. Do you know of any more of your family who served ? Myrtle Myrtle Thanks for your information,I was not aware that Francis also died during the war. I have been researching my family tree and have spent many hours on various websites looking for details on the Meeks.I will now have another thread to follow.I assume he was in this Company as the family were all miners in the Forest of Dean.Are there details on this site on the 171st Tunnelling Company? were they local to the FoD and where can I look at his records or does he have a grave? Sorry for so many questions . I will of course let you know if any others served. Thanks for your time and interest. kind regards Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel Details of Francis Reginald's Regiment and place of burial are HERE Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Thornicroft Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Veering slightly from the theme, I suspect he was related, distantly or otherwise, to Joe Meek, who wrote the 1962 hit 'Telstar'. JM was from Newent, on the edge of the Forest of Dean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel Details from Soldiers Died in The Great War. Francis Reginald Meek Enlisted: Blackwood, Mon. Formerly 2365 Monmouth Regiment (171st Tunnelling Coy) RE Killed in Action By his date of death it looks as if Francis was involved in the digging of the mines prior to the Battle of Messines 1917. The 171st Tunnelling Company worked on Spanbroekmolen and Ontario Farm which were fired 7th June 1917. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 9 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel Details from Soldiers Died in The Great War. Francis Reginald Meek Enlisted: Blackwood, Mon. Formerly 2365 Monmouth Regiment (171st Tunnelling Coy) RE Killed in Action By his date of death it looks as if Francis was involved in the digging of the mines prior to the Battle of Messines 1917. The 171st Tunnelling Company worked on Spanbroekmolen and Ontario Farm which were fired 7th June 1917. Myrtle Myrtle many thanks for all your help I can't imagine what life was like doing this role in the army.Would they be digging underground to place mines to blow up trenches? Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Myrtle many thanks for all your help I can't imagine what life was like doing this role in the army.Would they be digging underground to place mines to blow up trenches? Nigel Yes the men of the tunnelling companies would dig the mines and tunnels to take the explosives, however remember the mens' working conditions in the mines at home were also grim at that time. If you are interested in reading about the tunnellers' experiences during WW1, I recommend "War Underground - The Tunnellers of The Great War" by Alexander Barrie. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Nigel It looks as if you will have a number of Meeks to research from the East Dean area. I have had a quick look and there appear to be at least five more men of that name, from the village, who died in the Great War. They could be cousins as there appear to be three or four Meek families living next door or near to each other. I am compiling a data base on the Herefordshire Regiment therefore I am particularly interested in Pte Lonal James Meek (CWGC lists him as Lionel James) Born: East Dean who was originally with the Herefords and who was killed in action with the 11th Borders, 18/11/16 and Newton Meek, Herefordshire Regiment Born: East Dean and Killed in Action 23/07/18. If you find that they are your relatives, I would appreciate hearing about any further information that you may find out about these two men. Regards Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borden Battery Posted 9 August , 2006 Share Posted 9 August , 2006 Here is a website which might be of some use. Borden Battery *The Great War: Vimy Ridge George Van Wyck Laughton, M.C., Canadian - Serving in the British 3rd Army, 34th Division, 26th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish) Documents have now been posted that relate to research on the Great War as seen by 2nd Lt. George Van Wyck Laughton, M.C., primarily as it applies to the Battle of Arras. The website also has a very good set of URL links to many other interesting sites. In addition, you can access the complete text of Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War - Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1919, Colonel G. W. L. Nicholson, C.D., Army Historical Section including digital copies of the original colour maps. http://www.censol.ca/research/greatwar/links.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 10 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 August , 2006 Nigel It looks as if you will have a number of Meeks to research from the East Dean area. I have had a quick look and there appear to be at least five more men of that name, from the village, who died in the Great War. They could be cousins as there appear to be three or four Meek families living next door or near to each other. I am compiling a data base on the Herefordshire Regiment therefore I am particularly interested in Pte Lonal James Meek (CWGC lists him as Lionel James) Born: East Dean who was originally with the Herefords and who was killed in action with the 11th Borders, 18/11/16 and Newton Meek, Herefordshire Regiment Born: East Dean and Killed in Action 23/07/18. If you find that they are your relatives, I would appreciate hearing about any further information that you may find out about these two men. Regards Myrtle Myrtle If your info is accessible on the web can let me know where and I will check against the family tree details I have, the names do not sound very familiar though .If not please let me have the address details and I can check this on the FoD Family History or see if any one else has details which is very likely. kind regards Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 10 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 August , 2006 Nick A family favourite over the years and one of the first singles I was given as a child but i have yet to establish a direct family connection. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 10 August , 2006 Share Posted 10 August , 2006 Nigel Newton Meek was 6 years old in 1901 living at Harry Hill, East Dean with his father John,coal miner, mother Annie and brothers Sydney 12, Tom 11, Albert H. 8, Frank 3 and sisters Frances 10, Laura 7, Emily E. 5, Annie 4 and Sophie 1. Mary Ann Green, coal haulier and her granddaughter Lily Meek lived next door and nearby was Osman Meek, coal miner with his family. Lonal or Lionel Meek is more of a mystery. There is a Lonal James Meek listed as born in 1890 in Westbury on Severn and there is a Lionel Meek listed as born in Ruardean in 1894. There is a L.R. Meek from the Herefordshire Regiment, buried in St John's churchyard, Ruardean, who died in September 1917, however the Herefordshire Regiment Roll of Honour only has Pte N. Meek and Pte. E.J. Meek listed. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 14 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 14 August , 2006 Myrtle Just back from the Forest of Dean and I can't confirm if this line of Meeks are in our family . I would strongly recommend that you put a posting on the Forest of Dean Family History website.It is where I have found most of my info. Happy hunting. regards Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel M Posted 16 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 16 August , 2006 Hi Graham. Is there any specific reason why he may have served in both the 149th and the 103rd? regards Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 Nigel Thanks. I will try the website. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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