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Remembered Today:

RMLI CH/1 to CH/200


smooey

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Hello,

Has anyone any info (names,places of residence e.t.c.) on these 200 ex Sherwood Foresters who transferred to the Royal Marine Light Infantry and became CH/1 (S) to CH/200 (S) . My great great uncle was Private Cyril Smith CH/138 (S) and i know of another man who lived in the same village (Stanton Hill, Nottinghamshire) as Cyril who was Private William James Mountney CH/143 (S). Any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks Steve.

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Hi Steve

To be honest I know nothing about this transfer, but, can I assume that the numbers CH/1 (S) to CH/200 (S) were issued to the men in England and that they didn't actually serve overseas with those numbers? The reason I ask is that I can't find any MIC relating to either of these men searching with those numbers.

For example, is Private Cyril Smith CH/138 (S) the same man as 13855 Pte Cyril Brown RMLI who posted missing on 28.5.15 in the Dardanelles?

If that is that case then it might be very difficult to track down the men unless you have the 'Notts & Derby number block' of these men transferred to RMLI

cheers

Mike

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Steve/ Mike,

This may help:

600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI), and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI, and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY/200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters, 200 of which were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited, and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1(S) to CH/200(S)."

Mike,

These lads did serve abroad, one of 'my' lads John Edward Bownes was killed with the Chatham Battalion RMLI on 5th May 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. His service number was CH/48 (S).

They were 'Kitcheners Marines'

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Hello Mike,

I have the origional Sherwood Forester No. for Cyril which was 16353, joined up on the 4.9.14 and transferred to Royal Marines on the 16.9.14.

also the answer is yes to your question Private Cyril Smith CH/138 (S) is the same man as 13855 Pte Cyril Brown RMLI posted missing on the 28.5.15 in the Dardanelles.

I have his MIC and i thought it said 138SS (the SS standing for Short Service) but i think you could be right and it is infact 13855, if this is the case then the surname Brown is definately wrong for this number.

Does this help ?

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Here he is on the CWGC:

Name: SMITH, CYRIL

Initials: C

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Chatham Bn. R.N. Div

Age: 26

Date of Death: 28/05/1915

Service No: CH/138(S)

Additional information: Son of Samuel and Priscilla Smith, of Wharf Rd., Meden Bank, Stanton Hill, Mansfield; husband of Lily Fisher (formerly Smith), of 122, Brand Lane, Stanton Hill, Mansfield, Notts.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

My post above shows what numbers were allocated to Notts and Derbys Men when they were transferred into the RMLI.

Steve, can you clarify that you're after all the CH** number men who transferred into the RMLI from the N & D?

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Hi Steve

No I think that you are right and it is 138SS, which fits in with your CH/138 (S) number and of course with Horatio2's post. I took the 13855 from the NA search engine but looking at the MIC I think that it is now 138SS, which means 'they' transcribed it incorrectly.

Anthony, thats a nice piece of info - cherry picking the miners eh ;)

cheers

Mike

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Mike.

It is interesting. Kind of begs the question as to why though, don't you think?? Why would a group of miners from deepest darkest Notts and Derbys. be transferred into the RMLI and then slung straight into the Gallipoli campaign?

EDIT: Just answered my own question! It's in my own post above!

Still interesting though

Edited by Anthony Bagshaw
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Yes thats right i am after info on the CH** number men who transferred into the RMLI from the notts and Derby Regiment

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Here are a few Mansfield lads who transferred from the N & D to the RMLI:

Men transferred from N and D to RMLI

Name: BERRIDGE, ALFRED

Initials: A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Age: 21

Date of Death: 09/07/1915

Service No: PO/82(S)

Additional information: Son of Jane Berridge, of 26, Radford St., Mansfield, Notts.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 1.

Cemetery: PINK FARM CEMETERY, HELLES

Name: CUDWORTH

Initials: S

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 19/06/1915

Service No: PO/113 (S)

Additional information: Son of Mr. W. and Mrs. E. A. Cudworth, of 18, Sandy Lane, Mansfield, Notts.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 65.

Cemetery: EAST MUDROS MILITARY CEMETERY

Name: CUDWORTH

Initials: T W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Age: 24

Date of Death: 30/05/1915

Service No: PO/114(S)

Additional information: Husband of A. E. Cudworth of 113, New Gladstone St., Mansfield.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 9.

Cemetery: LANCASHIRE LANDING CEMETERY

Name: HUTCHINSON, GEORGE

Initials: G

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Age: 35

Date of Death: 13/07/1915

Service No: PO/205(S)

Additional information: Son of the late Charles and Selina Hutchinson, of 25, Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Name: ISSOTT, ARTHUR EDWARD

Initials: A E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Chatham Bn. R.N. Div

Age: 33

Date of Death: 01/05/1915

Service No: CH/191S

Additional information: Son of the late Joseph Issott; husband of Elizabeth Issott, of 4, Westfield Lane, Mansfield.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: 13.

Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

Name: LAWSON

Initials: J W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Date of Death: 13/07/1915

Service No: PO/131(S)

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Name: NAYLOR, JOHN EDWIN

Initials: J E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Age: 24

Date of Death: 04/05/1915

Service No: PO/206(S)

Additional information: Son of James and Harriet Naylor, of 6, Frederick St., Mansfield, Notts.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Name: RADAGE, EDWARD

Initials: E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: 2nd R.M. Bn. R.N. Div.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 05/11/1916

Service No: P0/129(S)

Additional information: Son of Henry and Annie E. Radage, of 11, Rosemary St., Mansfield.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 18.

Cemetery: VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY

Name: ROGERS

Initials: E A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: 1st R.M. Bn. R.N. Div.

Age: 21

Date of Death: 03/09/1917

Service No: CH/113(S)

Additional information: Son of M. A. and J. Rogers, of 118, Mansfield Rd., Pleasley Hill, Mansfield, Notts.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. P. 12.

Cemetery: BAILLEUL ROAD EAST CEMETERY, ST. LAURENT-BLANGY

Name: BOWNES, JOHN EDWARD

Initials: J E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Chatham Bn. R.N. Div

Date of Death: 05/05/1915

Service No: CH/48(S)

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

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Anthony,

thanks for that info, much appreciated.

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Steve,

When this is up and running it will give you all you need to know about those with the service numbers PO/31- PO/230 and CH/1- CH/200.

Geoff's Search Engine

Simply type PO or CH in the field and click search, you should then be able to find all those who were killed who transferred from the N and D's to the RMLI.

Enjoy!!

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Ok,

I'm into this now, i'm on a roll. Have just searched the A-C records on CWGC for the Helles Memorial (4426 names in total) and have found these guys:

Name: BATTY

Initials: A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: ALIAS

Date of Death: 13/07/1915

Service No: PO/147(S)

Additional information: See LONGBOTTOM, the true family name.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Name: BRADBURY, ELLIS

Initials: E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Date of Death: 06/05/1915

Service No: PO/37(S)

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Name: BROOKFIELD, CHARLES

Initials: C

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Date of Death: 12/07/1915

Service No: PO/123(S)

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Name: COURT, JOHN

Initials: J

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Chatham Bn. R.N. Div

Date of Death: 08/05/1915

Service No: CH/72(S)

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

Name: COX, JAMES JOHN

Initials: J J

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Corporal

Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Unit Text: Portsmouth Bn. R.N. Div

Date of Death: 06/05/1915

Service No: PO/115(S)

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 to 7.

Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL

I make that 15 so far, out of approx 400 men. I'll keep looking, this is really interesting!! :lol:

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The Jack Clegg RND Memorial Dbase includes ex-RND who died too:-

CH/143/S Private William James Mountney Royal Marine Light Infantry HMS "Vanguard" 09/07/1917 Killed by internal explosion of vessel at Scapa Flow

ex-Private Notts & Derby Regt., transferred to Chatham Division RMLI short-service 16/9/14 ; Chatham Bn. MEF 6/2/15-10/8/15 Dysentery, Invalided to UK 9/11/15.

Chatham Naval Memorial (MR 1)

Parents, James & Annie, 22 Stanton Hill, Nr. Mansfield, Notts.

He was born Skegby 1/12/1894.

I also record former Notts & Derby Army Nos. for the Chatham SS blokes (where known).

Here are some blokes born Sutton-in-Ashfield from CH/S series of N&D transfers:-

19 RADFORD, T 05/09/1914 CIV EMPLOY born 6/11/1886 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

42 HARDSTAFF, G 05/09/1914 DEMOB born 19/07/1895 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

94 WEST, JW 08/09/1914 DEMOB born 09/12/1886 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

129 HARDY, JA 07/09/1914 CIV EMPLOY born 28/03/1893 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

130 FREEMAN, F 04/09/1914 DEMOB born 05/05/1894 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

139 GRIFFIN, C 04/09/1914 INV born 05/11/1889 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

142 CAYLOW, J 05/09/1914 DEMOB born 06/08/1882 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

162 ELLIS, JS 07/09/1914 KIA 8/5/15 Born 01/10/1883 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

Wife, Florence, 79 Newcastle St., Huthwaite, Notts.

171 TURTON, W 07/09/1914 DOW 30/5/15 born 01/02/1880? SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

Born 1873 ; Husband of Elizabeth Turton, of 23 Phoenix Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire ; Father of G/29236 Private George Turton, 7th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) killed in action August 22nd 1918, aged 23 years.

174 SCOTHERN, L 09/09/1914 CIV EMPLOY born 10/08/1884 SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

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Steve,

Have you tried Geoff's search engine yet? I have had a quick look, there are a fair few.

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You will find RM registers of service for these men at the National Archives in ADM 159 as follows:

Chatham Short Service Nos 1-550 in ADM 159/143

Plymouth Short Service Nos 1-550 in ADM 159/175

Portsmouth Short Service Nos 1-550 in ADM 159/203

RM WW1 Medal Rolls are in ADM 171/167-171 and service records will be found between the National Archives and the Fleet Air Arm Museum. The following link http://www.fleetairarm.com/researchindex.htm will give an idea what is held at Yeovilton

Regards,

Bootneck

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anthony, yes i have tried Geoffs search engine its a very good source of information.

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