Royal Warks Regt - (2b) Balkans

[Jaybeebuzz]

Wonder if someone can help please?

I have downloaded the medal card for my gt uncle Albert Edward Pinchin of the 1/5 Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regt. I already knew that he had died  4 Oct 1917, KIA  F & F (possibly at The Battle of Broodseinde, given the date), memorial at Tyne Cot. He fought (and died) alongside his younger brother who was in the 1/7th Worcester Regt.

I have traced his battalion's movements in F & F as part of the South Midland Division (48th division), however his medal card surprisingly states that the first theatre of war he served in was (2b) Balkans on 13 July 1915. I can find no record that the 1/5 Bn. of the Royal Warks served in the Balkans or the Dardanelles, only F & F and later Italy. There is evidence that the 9 Bn Royal Warks did, but not Albert's battalion.  Does anyone have any ideas? Is it possible that Albert was at first attached to the 9th Bn?

Also, the date given for entry to the theatre of war, 13/7/15 - is that the date Albert left British shores or the date he arrived in the Balkans? If it's the date he left Britain then it would tie in with the date (early Aug) that reinforcements arrived at Gallipoli.

Many thanks!

Julie

[atom12]

Hi Julie

It looks like your Albert must have served with another battalon of the Warwicks, or some other unit, as like you mentioned the 1/5th served their war in France until being sent to Italy, 21st November 1917.

The theatre of war date is supposedly the date that Albert arrived in the Balkans.

[Jaybeebuzz]

Thank you Atom for your help!

Julie 

[GEOFREWAR]

Hi,

Two dcuments joined about your Ancestor Albert Edward Pinchin from wcgc.org.

Perhaps you have already these documents. If so, Apologies.

Regards

Pierre from France

[GEOFREWAR]

The second document

Regards

Pierre

[Jaybeebuzz]

Thank you, Pierre, that's very kind of you!   

[GEOFREWAR]

Hi
Donc you want any information about Broodseinde?
Regards
Pierre

[newburychap]

He served in 4 battalions of the R Warks: 9th, 1st, 10th, 1/5th. 

So Salonika would have been with the 9th.

Soldiers like this are a pain to research without a service record - 4 battalions in 2 years probably means he was not with any of them at the front for long before being wounded or falling sick (which would often result in a change of battalion on recovery).  Given his service in Salonika I wonder if he contracted malaria and relapsed a few times?

[GEOFREWAR]

This soldier has his name in Tyne Cot Memorial, so he died during Third of Ypres.

He died october 4, 1917, which is Battle of Broodseinde.

His regiment fought during this Battle.

Regards,

Pierre