michaelbeer Posted 10 November , 2006 Share Posted 10 November , 2006 I have just started tracing my grandparents and I need a little help with my Grandfather. To start with I know nothing about the Army or any other service for that matter. My grandfather served in the 7th KRR, which I believe is the Kings Royal Rife Corps. I have a stamped 1915, 18-pr shell case (Empty) with a KRR badge attached and it is engraved YPRES 1915-1916, I believe by my grandfather. I also been told that he was a tank driver in WW1. I have been checking the National Archives and there are a number of names similar to my grandfather his name was George BEER (no middle name) I can not work out if I am looking at the correct record or not. I have been told that his rank was Royal Sergeant Major, I do not know if that information is correct or not, or if there is such a rank. My grandfather survived WW1 So can anyone point me in the right direction regarding the rank of Royal Sergeant Major, any information will be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Watch Posted 10 November , 2006 Share Posted 10 November , 2006 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=48 Looks likely Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 10 November , 2006 Share Posted 10 November , 2006 the medal roll may confirm the battalion details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 10 November , 2006 Share Posted 10 November , 2006 MJB 7th KRR was New Army,formed at Winchester in Aug 1914,was part of 41 Brigade,14th Light Division of VI Corps. Click on Long Long Trail at top left of this page,then infantry regiments on next page,select KRR to see deployment of Battalions,click on 14th Light Division in blue in the text of 7th Bn KRR to read where deployed,click on Hooge as a start for 41 Bde positions. Enjoy the story ! Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 10 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 November , 2006 MJB 7th KRR was New Army,formed at Winchester in Aug 1914,was part of 41 Brigade,14th Light Division of VI Corps. Click on Long Long Trail at top left of this page,then infantry regiments on next page,select KRR to see deployment of Battalions,click on 14th Light Division in blue in the text of 7th Bn KRR to read where deployed,click on Hooge as a start for 41 Bde positions. Enjoy the story ! Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 10 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 November , 2006 Thank you all for the replies and the wealth of information. I am now in possession of the Medal Card of my Grand father George Beer which gives me a great deal of information and a lot more research. Thanks again MJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 11 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 11 November , 2006 Thank you all for the replies and the wealth of information. I am now in possession of the Medal Card of my Grand father George Beer which gives me a great deal of information and a lot more research. Thanks again MJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 11 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 11 November , 2006 Thanks for the help so far with my research into my grand father George Beer the information I have so far is that, I have a Medal Card of a George Beer Kings Royal Rifle Corps Regiment R/8273 Rank Private Tank Corps 75991 Private Date 1914-1920 Catalogue Reference WO 372/2 Series War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index, First World War Piece Barnes C E - Boundy C E I have downloaded the relevant card which gives further details as follows Victory *TC/10182 Page 293 British -do- do 15 Star E/1313/7 560 Theatre of War France Date of Entry 18/1/15 A couple of questions although I think these details refer to my grandfather how can I be sure without a date of birth or address or where can I seach to verify these details. What does Barnes C E - Boundy C E refer to. I have also attached a picture of four men stood in front of a tank. I believe my grandfather is the man on the left with his right had behind his back. The picture is on a post card and stamped British Tanks, 11th Ja 18, W.S.A. I think the Post Card was origional sent to a relitave in Australia by George Beer. I hope the picture comes out. Thanks MJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Watch Posted 12 November , 2006 Share Posted 12 November , 2006 What does Barnes C E - Boundy C E refer to. MJB It refers to the medal roll that George Beer is in. Its in alphabetical order so Beer comes between Barnes and Boundy ( the first and last names on the list) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 12 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2006 Thank you for the latest information MJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 17 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 November , 2006 I have written out part of Medal Card of George BEER. Also written onto the card are a few identification symbols which mean absolulty nothing to me. Can anybody explain what these extra identicication marks mean. Thanks MJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 17 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 November , 2006 Sorry about the size of the above attachment, an error on my part. MJB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 MJB, Looks like you are off to a good start. I doubt that the symbols will be decipherable, I expect it is just the clerk's notes when compiling the index card. The medals are issued basis the rank and regiment relevant to the serviceman on his first entry to a theatre of war (= private) The medals however were issued by the unit he was last in (I think that is correct!) It looks as if he rose to the rank of corporal, and as you believe then further up to RSM ( Regimental Sergeant-Major). The next step is to see if his service records survived. They are held on microfilm at Kew and must be searched for there, not online. He earned the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and the relevant pages on the actual medal roll are given against each medal. That roll will give the battalion in which he was serving when earning the medals. Good hunting, Ian PS - anyone in the family still have his medals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 The cross symbols are to show the medal engraver what to put on the medals. This often happened when multiple Regiments and ranks were applicable. In this case, the Victory Medal (and British War Medal - there should be a ditto/do/(line) under the Victory references) would have been engraved K.R.R.C. for unit, and Corporal for rank. The convention for medals was: 1914 or 1914-15 Star: Name, Rank & Unit on first arrival in a theatre of war (i.e. Pte. K.R.R.C) VM & BWM : Name, highest rank achieved, and first unit. (i.e. Cpl, K.R.R.C.) The only way Tank Corps would appear on medals for him is if he had won gallantry medals whilst with them. Not sure about the 3 squiggle next to tanks Corps but it may be referencing to 3rd (a.k.a "C") battalion of the Tank Corps. Best bet for finding units is probably the 1914-15 Star Rolls. Hope this helps, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbeer Posted 17 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 November , 2006 Thanks again for the very helpful information and you are correct there are ditto marks on the medal card for the British medal. As far as to the whereabouts of his campaign medals, I have no idea. (Yet). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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