trenchwalker Posted 1 January , 2004 Posted 1 January , 2004 hi just went to my local charity shop to find a great wear photo with a name rank and number . any one help? L . W . GRISTWOOD MGC 4176
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 1 January , 2004 Posted 1 January , 2004 MGC numbers begin at 3000, lower numbers were allocated to MGC Motors. I spent sometime researching the early Coys of the MGC ( ) and whilst it is not foolproof, you can 'numbercrunch' the medal roll. It is therefore likely that your man initally served with either the 53rd or 54th MG Coy. Ian
Tom Morgan Posted 1 January , 2004 Posted 1 January , 2004 Martin - Lance Corporal Leonard William Gristwood Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (CWGC says 55th Company) Born Chorley Wood, Herts Enlisted Watford Residence Tring Son of Charles and the late Mary Gristwood Killed in Action France & Flanders 03:05:17 Formerly 4724, Bedfordshire Regiment. No known grave - commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Tom
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 1 January , 2004 Posted 1 January , 2004 CWGC says 55th Coy - one company out! Ian
christine liava'a Posted 1 January , 2004 Posted 1 January , 2004 probably Births Mar 1896 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gristwood Crissie Rachel Norwich 4b 123 Gristwood Ellen Maud Norwich 4b 123 Gristwood Leonard William Watford 3a 629
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 1 January , 2004 Posted 1 January , 2004 Actually Mick, this gives us an interesting piece of information! If by numbercrunching the roll the 55th Coy seems reasonable and he was killed with the 55th Coy, it would be fair to assume that all his overseas service with the MGC was with the 55th Coy. Now this might sound a bit strange, but unlike the Infantry, MGC soldiers moved around quite a bit, either through being wounded and re-posted from Base Depot or to make up numbers in other Coys. Useful. Cheers - Ian
Jonathan Saunders Posted 1 January , 2004 Posted 1 January , 2004 Gristwood is an uncommon surname. I work with someone named Gristwood and about a year ago I helped her with some family history. As I recall her family have lived in the London/Essex/Herts area going back several generations. Its a long shot but I will ask her when I return to work on Monday. Is there any chance you can send a scan (email address via members), although LW Gristwood may not be a known relative - he may pass the family resemblance test?
Staffsyeoman Posted 4 January , 2004 Posted 4 January , 2004 Trenchwalker - Great find! Nice one. Love to see the pic once you've a working scanner. Ian - Very impressed! (We must talk number crunching off-line..) 55 Coy, Bde MG Coy of 55 Bde, 18 Div; was in existence by Feb 16, served entirely in F&F.
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 4 January , 2004 Posted 4 January , 2004 Phil, Cheers - numbercrunching doesn't always work - as you know. I was trying to place 3816 Pte T V Lewis MGC and thought 52 Coy. I ended up transcribing their War Diary for 1916/early 1917 (RSM Jim got a copy!). Nothing turned up!!!! I eventually found him in 55 Coy - getting wounded in a barrage 2 days before the Somme. Ian
BottsGreys Posted 5 January , 2004 Posted 5 January , 2004 I can't add anything of value--only wanted to say congrats on a great find. From reading your prior postings, I think he is in the proper hands of someone who truly respects and honors his sacrifice. Chris
trenchwalker Posted 5 January , 2004 Author Posted 5 January , 2004 well i shld add this in my group we have a lewis gunner who name is l.m.gristwood But we have checked and theres no relation beetween the two. SPOOKY
Jonathan Saunders Posted 5 January , 2004 Posted 5 January , 2004 My Miss Gristwood said she didnt know but I just looked up the surname on the 1901 census and there was one L. Gristwood ... Leonard Gristwood, aged 5, born Chorley Wood, Herts. Thats the right area for her family and the right age for him to be serving in WW1 but I really need a scan ...
Guest TracyB Posted 24 June , 2012 Posted 24 June , 2012 Hello everyone, I'm researching my family tree and believe that Leonard William Gristwood is my Great Granduncle. Does anyone possess a scan of this photo that they could send to me? Any other information on Leonard would be greatfully received. Kindest regards Tracy
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