Silver War Badge: Officer's list?

[Terry]

The arrival of the MIC for Lieut.W.J.Dooley, 4 Suffolks & RAF, has raised a question. There is an entry which states: "SWB List-Off;636.Badge 341273 d/22-4-18"

May I assume that List 636 was an officer's list for the SWB, and that he was discharged on 22 Apr.,1918? (I had an earlier discharge date of 8 March.)

He then joined the RAF and became a kite balloon observer. Dated 7 June,1918. Do any of the Pals know if this was at all common - being discharged due to wounds but being then able to join another service, in this case the air force, and return to the front?

[Guest Ian Bowbrick]

Terry,

I have researched a soldier who was wounded (Northumberland Fus & shot through the right lung) and discharged as no longer fit for service. He then joined the RAF as a Fitter, but on Home Service only.

Ian

[robwilliams]

I have come across men discharged in the early part of the war only to be conscripted later on! I bet they were pleased.

Rob

[robwilliams]

Incidentally the officer's SWB roll gives the address to which the officer was discharged which is very useful.

Rob

[Yorts]

I used to have medals to a man who served in the RN, was discharged for no longer being fit for active service and then joined the RNVR a few months later. He was deemed not fit enough to go to sea or France, so they tranferred him to RNAS for home service. The RNAS didn't seem too concerned about his health and he flew on patrols over the North Sea!

Rgds,

Alex.