Machine Gun Corps Cavalry

[Mikeb]

Renumbering of City of London Yeomanry to MGC (All Lines by MGC number)

All numbers approximate as they could include numbers from other Regiments/Corps.

1xxxx 10

2xxxx 0

3xxxx 25

4xxxx 2

5xxxx 0

6xxxx 0

7xxxx 1

8xxxx 22

9xxxx 5

10xxxx 14

11xxxx 121

12xxxx 42

13xxxx 5

14xxxx 1

15xxxx 523 + approx 10 incompletes

16xxxx 112

17xxxx 8

18xxxx 1

So our 15xxxx series probably coincides with the transfer in April 1918 to the MGC. There may be a simlar number from the County of London Yeomanry since E battalion was created from the merged Yeomanry battalions.

There are very few transfers from the start of the MGC in early 1916. The 3xxxx series may reflect the transfer out of the MG sections.

The interesting peaks are the 121 in the 11xxxx series (late 1917?) and the 112 in the 16xxxx series (late 1918?)

I can only theorise that these later 16xxxx men were wounded or sick men (or in the case of the higher numbers, perhaps conscripts) that didn't transfer to the MGC in April 1918, but stayed with the UK battalion(s) of the City of London Yeomanry (i.e. those that hadn't converted to the MGC) and then supplied Drafts to the old 1/1st City of London Yeomanry and converted to MGC men at that point. Does that theory hold water?

Inching a bit further out onto the high branch, could we surmise that since all of the group of 12 men 169343 to 169355 moved from City of London Yeomanry to MGC Cavalry, that they were going out to E Btn/103rd Btn on the assumption that the 2/1 and 3/1 City of London Yeomanry was providing Drafts for E battalion in a Territorial fashion? Obviously, this case would be strengthened if regularly Drafts could be established as fact.

Steve.

[Mikeb]

Renumbering of City of London Yeomanry to MGC (All Lines by MGC number)

All numbers approximate as they could include numbers from other Regiments/Corps.

1xxxx 10

2xxxx 0

3xxxx 25

4xxxx 2

5xxxx 0

6xxxx 0

7xxxx 1

8xxxx 22

9xxxx 5

10xxxx 14

11xxxx 121

12xxxx 42

13xxxx 5

14xxxx 1

15xxxx 523 + approx 10 incompletes

16xxxx 112

17xxxx 8

18xxxx 1

So our 15xxxx series probably coincides with the transfer in April 1918 to the MGC. There may be a simlar number from the County of London Yeomanry since E battalion was created from the merged Yeomanry battalions.

There are very few transfers from the start of the MGC in early 1916. The 3xxxx series may reflect the transfer out of the MG sections.

The interesting peaks are the 121 in the 11xxxx series (late 1917?) and the 112 in the 16xxxx series (late 1918?)

I can only theorise that these later 16xxxx men were wounded or sick men (or in the case of the higher numbers, perhaps conscripts) that didn't transfer to the MGC in April 1918, but stayed with the UK battalion(s) of the City of London Yeomanry (i.e. those that hadn't converted to the MGC) and then supplied Drafts to the old 1/1st City of London Yeomanry and converted to MGC men at that point. Does that theory hold water?

Inching a bit further out onto the high branch, could we surmise that since all of the group of 12 men 169343 to 169355 moved from City of London Yeomanry to MGC Cavalry, that they were going out to E Btn/103rd Btn on the assumption that the 2/1 and 3/1 City of London Yeomanry was providing Drafts for E battalion in a Territorial fashion? Obviously, this case would be strengthened if regularly Drafts could be established as fact.

Steve.

Gentlemen what can I say, fabulous information, and may I say great debate (I trust it won't end in swords or pistols!!!) again thank you all for your efforts, Mike.

[Mikeb]

Gentlemen what can I say, fabulous information, and may I say great debate (I trust it won't end in swords or pistols!!!) again thank you all for your efforts, Mike.

[Staffsyeoman]

I'll always bow to a well-argued case with good evidence!

[Patesian]

If this helps you make up your mind about the foregoing, here are a few transfer-in dates for MGC numbers in the 16xxxx to 17xxxx range, taken from official records:

162465 - 06/07/1918

164125 - 07/07/1818

171464 - 18/07/1918

171620 - 21/07/1918

[Armoured Farmer]

Gentlemen what can I say, fabulous information, and may I say great debate (I trust it won't end in swords or pistols!!!) again thank you all for your efforts, Mike.

No worries there.

His Medal Index card confirms entitlement to BW&VM only.

PM me if you would like me to email the image, also his Medal Roll.

Cheers

Hugh

(old Armoured Engineer tank commander)