Digger Posted 1 November , 2006 Share Posted 1 November , 2006 One of my soldiers - Thomas Mordle, died 6th August 1917. He was in the Royal Sussex Regiment, but at the time was attached to 116th Bde. H.Q., which I presume was a brigade HQ. Can anyone tell me what sort of duties he might have been doing. Thank you. Digger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 1 November , 2006 Share Posted 1 November , 2006 What rank was he? That would have some effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 1 November , 2006 Share Posted 1 November , 2006 Medal card of Mordle, Thomas Corps Regiment No Rank Royal Sussex Regiment 201436 Private One possibility is that he may have been a battalion signaller, attached to Brigade HQ to work on/with the telephone communication, etc. between his battalion and the Infantry Brigade. I see all three of the Royal Sussex battalions in 116th Brigade were New Army service battalions, but his number is a T.F. one, suggesting that he originally enlisted to a T.F. battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted 1 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 1 November , 2006 Steven and Steve Thankyou both for your help, as Steve confirmed Thomas was a private. I realise that a number can give such a lot of information, but how? Very confusing, and sorry to be a pain, but could you explain the difference between a T.F regiment and a 'normal' one. Am I right in thinking that it was a territorial regiment. Again my thanks Digger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 1 November , 2006 Share Posted 1 November , 2006 Ah, sorry. "Regulars" - The old pre-war soldiers AND the New Army/Service Battalions/Kitchener's Mob. These (generally) numbered up from No. 1 from 1881 at differing rates. A "standard" 2 battalion County-type Regiment would generally have reached about 10,000 by the start of the war. (There were numerous exceptions to this series, e.g. Rifle Brigade, Pals battalions) T.F. = Territorial Force. The pre-war home defence units of part time soldiers. These began their numbering in 1908 when the old Volunteer and Militia battalions were reorganised. Again, starting from No. 1 each BATTALION used a series of numbers. Again, at differing rates but a lot had reached c.3000 by outbreak of war. Because each battalion was issuing the same numbers as other battalions there was a good deal of confusion, and in 1917 each Regiment was issued a series of 6-digit numbers starting at 200001 to issue to their battalions. The Royal Sussex issued these numbers: 200001 240000 4th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt 240001 265000 5th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt 265001 290000 6th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt (Cyclists) 290001 315000 15th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt 315001 325000 16th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt This means that Thomas Mordle was in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Sussex at some point, probably after early 1917. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliff brown Posted 2 November , 2006 Share Posted 2 November , 2006 Steve is correct about 4th btn, but it could be 1/4th, 2/4th etc. It might be that he was in a home service btn of 4th and then drafted to front and sent to one of the Kitchener btn of Royal Sussex in 116th Brigade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted 5 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 5 November , 2006 Thank you for so much information, you have all been a real help. Much appreciated. Digger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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