36th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers

[monaghan]

I am trying to find out where my grandfather fought in the war and we know that he was in the 36th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Does anyone know the answer or know where I can go to find out??

Karen

[Steven Broomfield]

Hi Karen. Welcome to the Forum. There are a few NF experts, who will no doubt be along), but in the meantime the 36th originated in June 1915, formed from Home Service personnel (who had declined - as they were at that time allowed - to agree for overseas service). The actual 36th Bn title arrived in January 1917, when they were at St Osyth (near Clacton, I believe).

In May 1918 they went to France as a "Garrison Guard" Battalion in 178 Bde, 59th Division. In July, the GG bit was dropped and they became a standard fighting unit, ending the war at Tournai in Belgium. I imagine the War Diary will be at the National Archive at Kew.

[monaghan]

Thanks for your response Steven. We had a researcher do a 'look up service' for us at Kew and they said that my grandfathers records were destroyed during WWII. They did think from the medals record that he had joined in 1916 and this seems in line with what we know as we knew he had run off to war at age 17 and lied about his age!!! But this doesn't seem to be in line with what you have said about the history of the 36th battalion. In our local library we checked the absent voters roll and it gave details of him being in Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and gave a reference number - do you know if there is anywhere else we can check this?

[Chris_Baker]

Karen, what exactly did his medals documents tell you? Please tell us everything you can from them.

You also suggested he was 17 - when was he born?

[monaghan]

Hi Chris, my copy of the medal record is in the office so will have another look at it tomorrow but in the meantime other info about my grandfather:

Joseph William Alderson Date of birth 25.12.1898

Absent voters roll for 1918 states KOYLI service no: 45367

Medal records show Northumberland Fusiliers 36th Battalion, Private No: 85251

Karen

[monaghan]

Karen, what exactly did his medals documents tell you? Please tell us everything you can from them.

You also suggested he was 17 - when was he born?

Hi Chris

Looking at the medal record, the only other information on there is a discharge code: Dis 392 (xxviii)

Karen

[20th Division]

Hi Chris

Looking at the medal record, the only other information on there is a discharge code: Dis 392 (xxviii)

Karen

My Gt uncle was also in this btn-------I have their war diaries kindly supplied by HQ of N.F's---gather they were late into the conflict--but will look up dates etc if needed.

regards Dave B.

[balthasar44]

QUOTE (kazzymon @ Nov 19 2007, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Chris

Looking at the medal record, the only other information on there is a discharge code: Dis 392 (xxviii)

Karen

My Gt uncle was also in this btn-------I have their war diaries kindly supplied by HQ of N.F's---gather they were late into the conflict--but will look up dates etc if needed.

regards Dave B.

Hi Dave

My Great Granddad was in this unit Cpl Thomas Gladwell 79068 he won a MM at Le Cateau in October 1918 could you have a look at the war diaries and see if it mentions anything

Thanks Michael

[Colin W Taylor]

Michael

I've a copy of the war diary downloaded from the National Archives website. I scanned through the diary pages up to October and didn't see any mention of Gladwell. Few decorations are recorded in it I'm afraid nor is there much mention of other ranks.

If you want a full copy you can get it here (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details/AssetMain?iaid=C4556176&isFullDescription=False) for about 3.36.

Kind regards

Colin

[balthasar44]

Hi Colin

Thanks for the info

cheers michael

[20th Division]

Hi Michael. See that your query has been sorted already. I got a copy of the war diaries from N.F.HQ some years back ----glad to know these are now more widely available. I'm still searching for my Gt Uncles medals---he transferred from the 36th to the 1st Btn at the end of the war and was posted to IRAQ until 1920/21. very few other-ranks are mentioned---which is about normal for war diaries. Good luck with your researches. Happy to do any other look-ups for you of course. Best wishes David.

[Graham Stewart]

79068 Cpl Thomas Gladwell, 36th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers - was transferred from the 2nd Bn, Welsh Regt(formerly numbered 58001) and was awarded the Military Medal, which was Gazetted 20th October 1919. He was subsequently Discharged from the N.F. under Kings Regulations - Para 392(xxviii).