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Author Topic: Lancashire Fusiliers help needed  (Read 132 times)
malcolmatcherry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Lancashire Fusiliers help needed
« on: Sunday 08 November 09 17:11 UTC (UK) »
Hello all
I'm trying to find out some more information about my grandfather Richard Roberts.
His medal index shows Lancashire Fusiliers Sgt 33049, but no overseas location or battalion.
The puzzle is that I have form W 3038a notifying my grandmother that he was reported missing, with the form dated June 1918 and his rank listed as private.
Can any knowledgeable person tell from his regimental number in which battalion he served?
Also would the promotion from private to sergeant be unusual if he had been captured?
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alpinecottage
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Posts: 417


Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Lancashire Fusiliers help needed
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 08 November 09 17:31 UTC (UK) »
In case no Rootschatter can help you for free, there is a newly reopened Fusilier Museum in Bury.  They charge £25 for research, but they may be able to help with more general enquiries for free.  There is lots of general information on the web if you just google Lancashire Fusiliers.

Added:  There is a very helpful website at http://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/ who do research for a donation and who have provided me with general information for free.  The website has a lot of info, too.

PS Welcome to Rootschat, I'm sure you'll find expert help and knowledge (I'm not including myself there! )
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Perrins - Manchester and Staffs
Honan - Manchester and Ireland
Hogg - Manchester 19 cent
Anderson - Newcastle mid 19 cent
Boullen - London then Carlisle then Manchester
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forester
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Re: Lancashire Fusiliers help needed
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 08 November 09 18:02 UTC (UK) »
Are you sure that you have the right Richard Roberts?
Presumably the service number matches on the form you have.

I'm afraid that it is impossible to guess at his battalion.
He did not go overseas before the beginning of 1916 and was most likely in one of the service battalions.

Phil
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James1950
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Colour Sergeant Garrett Barry
Re: Lancashire Fusiliers help needed
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 08 November 09 18:46 UTC (UK) »
Do you know which town he came from?
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Heyworth/  Harrison/ Broughton/Cook/Crooke/Duxbury ~  Pendle
Myerscough ~ Lancashire
Eastwood ~ Burnley
Chppendale ~ Bradford
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malcolmatcherry
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Posts: 3


Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Lancashire Fusiliers help needed
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 08 November 09 20:45 UTC (UK) »
Richard was born in Bury in 1890, and married in 1915 in Bury with his occupation listed as journeyman plasterer.
In Feb 1916 his occupation was foreman concreter, with no mention of any army rank.
In the attached photograph, dated about July 1916 (only 4 months later), he is in uniform, with a chevron indicating a lance-corporal.
The letter to my grandmother confirms his service number and so also the medal roll card.
My somewhat vague memories of him are that he had been a PT instructor, and that he was quite short. This might suggest he was in a bantam battalion.
Thanks for the replies so far.
Malcolm

* Richard_Roberts_1916.jpg (63.63 KB, 592x982 - viewed 60 times.)
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jds1949
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Posts: 178


Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Lancashire Fusiliers help needed
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 08 November 09 22:44 UTC (UK) »
I don't know if this is your man but there is a Private Richard Roberts 15th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers [no numbers] listed on the Memorial Scroll kept at Sacred Trinity Church, Bury Street, Salford. There is a photo of the scroll in Michael Stedman's book on the Salford Pals, the 15th, 16th,19th & 20th Battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers. Originally the 20th Battalion was a Bantam Battalion, but by the latter stages of the war men were sent to wherever there was a need. He is not listed in any of the 1915 rolls for any of the Battalions, but then his number dates from 1916 at the earliest.

jds1949
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Swarbrick - all and any
malcolmatcherry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Re: Lancashire Fusiliers help needed
« Reply #6 on: Monday 16 November 09 11:10 UTC (UK) »
Thanks for the suggestion from Stedman's book. As Richard survived the war it is unlikely he would be recorded on a memorial scroll, and there were several Richard Roberts in the Lancashire Fusiliers just to make life more complicated!
Malcolm
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