Genealogy Chat

Hi I have my great grandad's war records and know that he was in the 1st battalion if the east surrey regiment in 1905.(16 years in army)enlisted in late 1902 .His service number was 7632 . on his records it says he was in south africa in 1902 but this was crossed out and underneath it says european campaign 1915. on his history sheet it says france 29.12.02 - 12.8.1914 total 11 yrs 229 days illegible 13.8.1914 - 17.12.1914 178 days home 18.12.1914 - 26.4.1915 129 days ? france 27.4.1915 - 26.12.1915 244 days home 27/12/1915 - 22.1..1916 28 days. he was given 3 medals star british war medal victory is there a website i can visit that i might be able to understand as i have googled east surrey regiment ,and it goes on about regiments and battalions going into each other which is just sending me mad. i would like to find out where he was in france and other front line information. any help gratefully recieved. regards lizz ps.i can't match the badge on his cap to the 1's of the east surrey regiment any idea's.Looks like a horse with a flag flying behind it.

The very best help on the web can be found on the Great War Forum - the guys on there are second to none! Just Google Great War Forum the top hit will give you a site called The Long Long Trail just down the right hand side is the link for the forum...

Sue thank you for the advice ,i will try them regards lizz

My G.Uncle was in the 2nd Battalion of The East Surreys...I have the 1st battalions movements up to 1916 if that's any help.....it's a bit long so I'll email you direct,hope this helps,Elaine

Elaine i have pm you. regards lizz

OOps sorry have been so busy typing I sent it via this site.......if a problem then I'll redo it for you.Sorry I took a long time I'm not very fast ......Let me know, Elaine

Just looking at the dates, he was in South Africa at the end of the Boer War. Between then and the outbreak of WW1 he was in France. Then, the week after the war started he was sent somewhere else for six months until being sent home in mid-December. He stayed at home for four months and then returned to France. After eight months he returned home again on Boxing Day, where he stayed for a month. Now, the war continued for almost three more years, so what happened to him? Was his final return due to injury serious enough for discharge? Was he on the General Staff? There's something odd about these movements.

Paul hello again i remember you helping me before .I went to kew and got his records i was very lucky. he was in south africa 22.02.1902 until 20.8.1902 when he was sent home. on his proceedings on discharge this is what it says corps east surrey regiment battalion , battery, company has been put as depot. discharged 29.01.1916 place of discharge kingston on thames. the above named man is discharged in consequence of ---- the termination of his first period of engagement para 392 (xx1) kings regulations, on his 1st class army reserve paper it says on 1st transfer he was second class silverman officers mess for 12 months. on 28.12.1905 signed by H Ringwood lieu - colonel ist btn east surrey.there were in jersey according to paperwork.

Ah, I was right then! He was on the general staff, but not as an officer,.... he was in charge of the cutlery in the officers mess. That's why I was confused by his locations - he went where his General went - not on the front line but with the field HQ.

Was the cap badge you describe anything like this: http://www.geocities(.)com/regimentalbadge/bsr0020.jpg If so, it's the The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

Paul I can send you a picture of him in his uniform but it appears to be much older than the 33 he should be, lizz

Paul yes that appears to be the badge . lizz

The Surrey History Centre now deals with research enquiries relating to The Queen's Royal, East Surrey and Queen's Royal Surrey Regiments (2nd, 31st and 70th Foot). The Collection remains available for public consultation. Surrey History Centre 130 Goldsworth Road Woking Surrey GU21 6ND Tel: 01483 518737 Email: shs 'at' surreycc.gov.uk Website: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistoryservice

Paul you have been a great help again.I did read he was hospitalised in the field for a septic finger for 6 days between 18.12.1914 and 24.12.1914, in bristol . so even more confusing,he moved around alot must have been hard for my great gran to write to him, thank you again. lizz

You say his photograph appears to show him as much older. Could it have perhaps been taken after 1959 when the two regiments merged? That would explain why a man from the EAST Surrey regiment wears the insignia of the WEST Surrey regiment. Maybe the picture was taken at a reunion.

Septic finger eh? Maybe he did it carving the General's pheasant?

Paul I'm afraid he passed away in 1954.I can't explain why he was wearing west surrey uniform when all his records say east surrey including his MCI. Would he have been too old for WW2 if he was born 1885? regards lizz