1st battalion Sherwood Foresters

[husher1917]

My Grandfather, Alexander John Richardson was born on Porchester Terrace in London, in 1896, and lived there all his life. His father was from Norfolk County.

He joined the army in August, 1914. He landed in France on January 2nd or 5th, 1915 and joined the 1st battalion, "D" coy Sherwood Foresters (#14142) in a draft of men on January 22nd, 1915. His notes state that he was involved in trench warfare for 2 years, then joined the HBMGC, "A" battalion, #77047 (later the Tank Corps). He lived through the war and was discharged on March 3rd, 1919.

His medals are all stamped as Notts & Derby with his Regimental #14142 and L. Corp on the sides. My mystery is how did a London boy become a Sherwood Forester? Also, could a soldier chose the regiment which was stamped on his medals? He ended up as a Sergant in the tank corps, but was his true allegence to his first regiment where the horrors of 1915/16 were experienced?

I am also wondering where his basic training would have taken place.

Any help would be much appreciated.

John Richardson

[the gunners dream]

This is his Medal Index Card (MIC)

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=59

There can be a number of reasons for this, but for many it was the chance to move out of the place they'd lived all their lives and go to another area. There are recorded accounts of men getting tickets for a train to go to Scotland etc just for the adventure. As the war progressed many joined regiments, but were sent to other regiments because of the casualty rate. Not that this applies in your case.

The Tank Corps part of his service could either be a volunteer, or posting. Looking at the fact that he was HBMGC is why he went to the Tank Corps as it was a trade they would have needed in this new unit.

See this link for more info on the Sherwood Foresters:

http://freespace.virgin.net/stephen.mee/index.htm

I think he would have trained in Derby, but I could be wrong on that point.

Steve

[Stebie9173]

The medals were engraved "by the book" which means:

1914 or 1914-15 Star: The Regiment and Rank when they stepped off the ship into a theatre of war.

Victory Medal and British War Medal: The First Regiment as per the 1914 or 1914-15 (if applicable), but the highest rank achieved before discharge (or current rank if "still in".)

In your case:

1914-15 Star: Private or Lance-Corporal Sherwood Foresters.

VM/BWM : Lance-Corporal Sherwood Foresters.

I would think a 1914-15 Star with Tank Corps on would be an impossibility..., though you would see some for the VM/BWM for later recruits who went straight to the Tanks.

Steve.

[husher1917]

This is his Medal Index Card (MIC)

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=59

There can be a number of reasons for this, but for many it was the chance to move out of the place they'd lived all their lives and go to another area. There are recorded accounts of men getting tickets for a train to go to Scotland etc just for the adventure. As the war progressed many joined regiments, but were sent to other regiments because of the casualty rate. Not that this applies in your case.

The Tank Corps part of his service could either be a volunteer, or posting. Looking at the fact that he was HBMGC is why he went to the Tank Corps as it was a trade they would have needed in this new unit.

See this link for more info on the Sherwood Foresters:

http://freespace.virgin.net/stephen.mee/index.htm

I think he would have trained in Derby, but I could be wrong on that point.

Steve

Thanks Steve, any idea how I could find out more details of his service during 1915/1916 while with the battalion? I live in Canada, but have contacted the regimental museum by E-mail. They were able to give me his battalion entry date and a date when he was wounded (May/June 1916) just before "The Somme". I remember that he was shot twice, but I am not sure where or when.

John

[Andrew Hesketh]

There is some information on my website here: http://www.derbyshirelads.uwclub.net/Sherw...talions/1bn.htm

The book you need is:

1st and 2nd BATTALIONS THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND DERBYSHIRE REGIMENT) IN THE GREAT WAR,

Author:

Col H.C.Wylly

Format:

2003 N&M Press reprint (original pub 1925). SB. x + 224pp with 26 b/w photos and 12 maps (4 in colour)

ISBN:

1843426854

Price:

£ 22.00

N&M Press are here: http://www.naval-military-press.com/FMPro?...et.htm&-new