2nd Composite Battalion 29th Division -Egypt

[Monnaux]

Hi,

I have been researching information about my grandfather, William James Fry.

Although I can't find his service record in Kew, I have found his medal card and discharge certificate plus a number of other documents such as Army Form 3083 (wound) and letters which have enabled me to fid quiet a bit of information.

He enlisted in 1910 in the 1st East Surrey, regimental number L/101015.

According to his medal card he was transfered to the 3rd Border Regiment in September 1915, Regimental number 22922.

He was wounded on the 1st of July in Beaumont Hamel with the 1st Border Regiment.

I have just received a copy of a letter he wrote to England on 4/01/1916.

The letter is sent from:

Cpl W. Fry

N° 2898 C Company (I'm not sure of the two last digits)

2nd Composite Battalion

29th DIV M.E.F.

Forces in Egypt

Can someone please give me some information about this Battalion, what their role was in Egypt and what M.E.F stands for?

Gerald

[eltoro1960]

I don't know anything about the Battalion unfortunately but the MEF is the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

[John Holmes]

Hi Gerald,

at that time the division had only just arrived from Mudros following the Gallipoli campaign, in Egypt as battalions were short of men they were temporarily amalgamated with another to make a stronger battalion. The other three battalions in the 87th Brigade with the 1st Borders were the 1st K.O.S.B. the 2nd South Wales Borderers and the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The brigade entrained to Alexandria on the 9th March 1916 and sailed to France, landing at Marseilles about five days later. I hope this is of help to you. John

[Monnaux]

Thank you very much, it's a great help.

There are still a few questions puzzling me, though:

You say that the 29th Division had just arrived from Mudros following the Gallipoli campaign but according to a book I have on the Border Regiment during WW1, the 1st Border were one of the last to leave and only left Gallipoli on the 9/01/2006. Is this correct or did I misunderstand?

Is it possible that as part of this 2nd Composite battalion, he might have been detached from the 1st Border Regiment and arrived in Egypt before the 1st Border or even wasn't sent at all to Gallipoli (he was transfered to the Border regiment on the 9/11/2006, not long before the end of the campaign)?

I remember him telling me he had been to Egypt, but I don't remember him mentionning Gallipoli. If he had been to Gallipoli with the 1st Border, would he have received a specific medal for that campaign?

Do you know how I can find out more about this 2nc Composite Battalion in Egypt?

Gerald

[John Holmes]

Hi Gerald,

there is a history of the 29th Division by Stair Gillon that was reprinted by the Naval & Military Press that could help with dates and places. There is also a history of the Border Regiment by W.C. Wylly and can be loaned from your local library. Good hunting. John