Real or not?

[BerkshireYeoman]

Hi Matt

Smith RT OF Becksford, Upper Basildon. Killed in action 29th November

Joined Berkshire Yeomanry at Yeomanry House Reading and allocated number
2808 so enlisted mid to late August 1915. Posted to 3/1st Berks Yeo where he carried out initial training at Aldemaston then Tidworth. Trained in UK as signals specialist.
He was posted overseas after 1916 as he has no 1914-15 star but before April 1917 as his old number is shown on his medal card
Name   Reuben Thomas Smith 70706
Born    Bucklebury, Berks
Enlisted   Reading
Regt   Berkshire Yeomanry
Casualty   Killed in Action on 29th November 1917 in Palestine
Soldiers died in the Great War 1914 - 1919

I have a photo him in the 3/1st Berks Signal Troop
and his medal card which I will attach.

As you cannot come on a Tuesdays evening try emailing my colleague as he is sometimes in during the day

regards
Andrew

[matt94]

Sorry I haven't replied sooner, have been ill, on holiday, and concentrating on exams

Where's Tidworth? Do you mean Tidmarsh near Pangbourne? That's the only place I can think of. I know there was an army base at Aldermaston, though.

Thanks for all the information and the photo; I have passed it on to his niece

Thanks again
Matt

[mmm45]

Matt
Tidworth is a big Military Camp within the Salisbury Plain Training area in Wiltshire.

Ady

[BerkshireYeoman]

Glad to be able to assist

[matt94]

I had long forgotton this thread existed - but I am glad I have been able to find it again.

I have found out rather alot of information since I started the research! And I can see my earlier research into Reuben Thomas Smith was marred by the (incorrect) information given to me that the photo was of his elder brother Stephen.

I now know that Reuben Smith was indentured as an apprentice to a Cycle and Motor Engineer, Mr. Reginald Frank Surplice, on 11 March 1914, for the term of three years. For him to have joined up in mid/late August 1915 means that the apprenticeship must have terminated early. I have found three obituaries in local newspapers for Reuben, all of which state he was in the Signal Troop of the Berkshire Yeomanry force (later the 101st Berks and Bucks Batt MGC).

There is a War Diary at the National Archives for the 1/1st Berkshire Yeomanry Force (which later becam the 101st Berks/Bucks Batt) - so would this be the relevant War Diary I seek?

Matt

[Kate190]

Hi Matt, fabulous picture.. just curious was this the picture of Reuben Smith in the end or Stephen Smith (both my gg Uncle's) I'm referring to the first picture in this conversation the one sat in the chair.
Kate

[sarah]

Just a reminder to existing members on this thread that new members to not get full access to all RootsChat functions until they have made a couple of post - please why not reply to Kate and at least say hello

Sarah

[jess5athome]

Hi Kate, welcome to Rootschat  I've not commented on this post but when you have made 3 posts I believe you can private message anyone on this thread.

Just make a couple of more posts and away you go 

Frank.

[Kate190]

Thanks for your help Sarah & Frank. I'll get the hang of it