suffolk regiment 2nd battalion

[rosiebun3]

Two parts to this question

I have a relative Ernest Edward Barber, service no 6479 2nd battalion suffolk regiment ,who died 06/10/1914 and is buried at les gonards cemetery. In view of his early demise in the war is he likely to have been part of the BEF? does his service number suggest that he had enrolled before the war. I know the 2nd battalion went to France from Ireland at the begining of August, would they have had recruits join directly from England at that time?

I have another relative; Amos William Clow, no 34572  also 2nd battalion suffolk regiment, who was awarded the military medal; named in the London Gazette 28th January 1918. Is there any way of finding out why he received this? I have been to Bury and looked at the informaiton and field diaries for this time but didn't find anything. I also know that he was a prisoner of war, possibly in Belgium, at the end of the war and did not return to England directly after the war because of this. My father in law thinks he may have been a stretcher bearer.

Any help or information would be great
Rosiebun

[forester]

Yes, Ernest was one of the Old Contemptibles. He entered France on 23/8/14 and was awarded the Mons Star, with Clasp.

His service number suggests that he joined in the early part of 1903.

Phil

[ainslie]

1] The 2nd Battalion arrived in France from The Curragh on 17 Aug 1914, according to Brig. James's 'British Regiments 1914-1918'.

2] Few MM awards had any officially published citation.  A newspaper local to where Amos lived may be your best bet.  Details may have been sent out that way.

A

[rosiebun3]

Thanks Phil and Ainslie

Thanks for the info especially re the date that he joined; I had been unable to find him on the 1901 census, however following your information I have found him in Guernsey in 1901 as a lance corporal with the 3rd suffolk regiment, aged 18. However by 1911 he is a hurdlemaker so I guess he must have returmned as a reservist which would explain the date of entry as the 23/08/14.

I will try to locate the local newspapers to search

[Suffolk Mawther]

If they were in Suffolk, the East Anglian Daily Times would be the best place to begin.

Their records/old copies are on rolls of film at the SRO (I see you have been to Bury branch before ) 

www.eadt.co.uk for the Anglian today.

Pat ...

[barrett.yted]

On my grandfather's military record, it says "Corps: 2nd Suffolk R". I had assumed this meant "2nd Suffolk Regiment", but now I wonder whether it is "2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment".  I know he fought at Ypres during WWI but in all the accounts I have read there is no reference to a "2nd Regiment", only a "2nd Battalion". Sorry for my ignorance but can anybody clarify? Would be v grateful.

[bleckie]

Hi barrett.yetd

Welcome to roots

It is almost certainly 2nd Battalion (2Bn)

Yours Aye
BruceL

[barrett.yted]

Thanks for your speedy and helpful response, Bruce.  Much appreciated.  :-)

  Eileen (barrett.yted)

[Suffolk Mawther]

On our list of places to re-visit this year, Suffolk Regiment Museum in Bury St Edmunds
http://www.suffolkregiment.org/

SM ...