Which regiment?

[ermin]

Hi All

I have just started looking into my Great Grandfather's history in WW1.

I have found his Medal Card but it just shows that he was in the Royal Engineers.  I have also found him on the 1918 Absent Voters list but, again, this just states RE.

How would I find out which regiment he served in?  I'm just wondering if I would I have to visit the National Archives to look at the Medal Rolls to find this information?

I am used to researching Victorian soldiers but WW1 is new ground for me.

Thank you.

Ermin

[gortonboy]

hi,,,you have already found his regiment,,,i think you mean what battalion,,or what specific part of the RE he was in,,,,,the RE  was a massive organization,,involved in everything from road building,,bridge building,,etc the list is endless.
What was your mans name and when and where was he born ?

[mmm45]

Ermin
We are going to need all the details you have inc number.
Royal Engineers served in lots of different areas attached to different units and can be tricky to follow.

Ady

[ermin]

Hi

His name was Alfred Cooper and number was 98684  (born in Morley, Yorkshire)

All I really want to know is - is it worth me going up to the National Archives to look at the Medal Rolls?  i.e.  is the Medal Roll likely to give any more detail than the Medal Card as to which battalion he served in?

Thanks for your help.

Ermin   

[MargP]

Hi

Did he have any children during the war years, I found that the birth certificates,  very useful when, my dad was in WW1, each one pin pointed to which battalion he was

Margp

[ermin]

Hi MargP

That's a great idea. 

Unfortunately, two of his children were born in 1908 and 1910.  There was another born in 1914 but he hadn't joined the Royal Engineers by then.

Good advice for others with the same problem though as I have birth certificates for another branch of my family which show the father as "Corporal of 43rd Regiment" , etc.

Ermin

[ermin]

By the way, I have since discovered that the Medal Rolls should(?!) give me the regiment, so looks like a trip to the National Archives is on the cards.

Ermin

[Regorian]

I don't know where you live, but NA is presumably still at Kew. I've spent many a happy day there in the past, delightful place.

I think the medal rolls are online. I'm surprised someone has not provided a link or links. 

[mmm45]

 Army Rolls for WW1  arent online just index cards.
Naval rolls are

I wouldnt place too much hope on his Field Company or whatever been listed on RE Rolls its hit and miss.....usually they are just listed as Royal Engineers.
Ill try using Soldiers Died CD see if similar numbers show any patterns as to which unit.

Ady