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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Albert William Taylor 21923


larraine

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I am looking for some points in the right direction for gaining some in depth information on my Grandfather I have his records from the NA and his service record from the RFC. I can scan and attach them if it helps ?

Albert William Taylor was born 16/11/1896 in Waltham Forest.

On the 1st October 1913 he signed up at Bloomsbury for the 2nd line 1st City of London Ammunition Column RFA. ( Reserve or Territorial force ) His number was 1027 and his rank driver.

At some point his number then changed to 21923 and on the 22/3/1916 he was discharged and re-enlisted the following day to the RFC. His records from the NA do not show any theatre of war.

I then managed to obtain his Service record from RAF Cranford which say there is little detail on his postings and movements as records were destroyed. However it does list his dates for the RFA. Although not relevant to this website it also gives me a lot of information on his service during WW2 ( he signed up as a class E reserve )

However I am now confused as to how I go about finding out where he served and what his role was during WW1.

Both his RFA and RFC papers show him being sent to France on 1st April 1917 , whilst he was serving in the RFC.

His RFA documents list him as " At Home " 5/8/14 - 22/3/1916.

His medal card cannot be found , although I have all his medals ??

Whilst I appreciate I do have a lot of information , such as his next of kin and civillian occupation ect. It is his time served during the Great War that I need.

I know there are war diaries but how do I obtain these for his time in the RFA ? If his RFC records were destroyed is there anyway I can find his Regiment or Corp ? IE What did he do in France ? Also what does " At Home " mean ??

Why can his medal card not be found ?

My Grandad died when I was 35 and he rarely spoke about his time in the 1st WW. But he always told me 3 things :-

1 Never forget what we did for your future

2. My horse was badly injured in the trenches but we managed to save him

3. My best friend was killed beside me.

In regards to the above what I dont understand is if he went to France during his service in the RFC why would he have been with horses ? Why doesnt his RFA records show that he fought in the trenches. Also what does " At Home " mean

I am sorry this message is convoluted but I am desperate to unravel the mystery

Thank You

Larraine

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Larraine: If he joined the RFC on 22 March 1916 and served at home from 5 August 1914 to 22 March 1916 then he would have no Medal Index Card for his service with the RFA as he received no medals while serving with that regiment. His medals were most likely issued by the RAF and would therefore be on his RAF record of service and not on an Medal Index Card. Regards. Dick Flory

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Hello Larraine,

Although I can't help with any specific information regarding your Grandfather, I would be most grateful if you could attach scans of his records from the NA and his service record from the RFC.

The RFC/RAF specialists may be able to help with interpretation. Albert William Taylor enlisted

1st October 1913 for the 2/1st City of London Ammunition Column RFA, number 1027 and his rank driver; was his civilian occupation associated with horses (cartman, deliveryman, farm worker) ?

Horses were used in great numbers during the Great War, he would have been a Driver of horses initially (RFA) and possibly later mechanical transport (RFC). Hope this helps.

Regards

Ron

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Hello Larraine,

Although I can't help with any specific information regarding your Grandfather, I would be most grateful if you could attach scans of his records from the NA and his service record from the RFC.

The RFC/RAF specialists may be able to help with interpretation. Albert William Taylor enlisted

1st October 1913 for the 2/1st City of London Ammunition Column RFA, number 1027 and his rank driver; was his civilian occupation associated with horses (cartman, deliveryman, farm worker) ?

Horses were used in great numbers during the Great War, he would have been a Driver of horses initially (RFA) and possibly later mechanical transport (RFC). Hope this helps.

Regards

Ron

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Hello Larraine,

Although I can't help with any specific information regarding your Grandfather, I would be most grateful if you could attach scans of his records from the NA and his service record from the RFC.

The RFC/RAF specialists may be able to help with interpretation. Albert William Taylor enlisted

1st October 1913 for the 2/1st City of London Ammunition Column RFA, number 1027 and his rank driver; was his civilian occupation associated with horses (cartman, deliveryman, farm worker) ?

Horses were used in great numbers during the Great War, he would have been a Driver of horses initially (RFA) and possibly later mechanical transport (RFC). Hope this helps.

Regards

Ron

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Thank you Dick that explains the medal card

Tom do you have an e mail address ? I cant upload the files to the site and I would appreciate you looking at them

Regards

Larraine

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