Ist Garrison Battalion Sherwood Foresters

[adinetuse]

My grandfather John Ward was Pte.30071 in the 1st Garrison Battalion Sherwood Foresters from the time it was raised in July 1915 and served throughout the war with the battalion in Gallipoli and then Egypt. Along with other members of the battalion he was transferred to the Hampshire Regiment in 1917 and ended the war as Hampshire Pte 8158. I have a good detailed history of these years.

Does anyone know where the men of this new 1st Garrison Battalion SF came from in 1915?

I don't know how he spent Aug 1914-July1915. His Great War Service Record has not survived. He was possibly recalled from the reserve in 1914, but not to the SFs. He was in fact an old soldier who had served with both Militia Battalions (3rd and 4th) of the DLI before and throughout the Boer War.

[mikebriggs]

Hi Nimrod

His Regimental number (30071) seems consistent with a 'normal' enlistment into the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) for mid 1915 (ie May-June-July).

So it would seem to me that the 1st Garrison were taking their men through the normal enlistment process. However, is it possible that those men who were older or less fit were sent to 1st Garrison as opposed to the 16th, 17th and 18th Battn who were also recruiting at that time. The 18th was a Bantam Battn so may have been taking the under height men at that time.

Just a thought...........

cheers

Mike