Author Topic: Despatch Riders WW1  (Read 3568 times)

Offline Colin Cruddace

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Despatch Riders WW1
« on: Sunday 30 June 13 20:40 BST (UK) »
Hi All,

I have been told that my Grandad's half-brother was posted to Salonika in WW1 as a Despatch Rider. This information was given by his wife to their son, however I can find no records for him.

Would he be a regular soldier or regarded as a civilian volunteer? I don't want to research his service, if he had any, but I would appreciate any help in solving the riddle.

Regards,
Colin

Offline Sharon01

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 30 June 13 20:49 BST (UK) »
Fagan/England/Ireland
Aldridge/London
Sills/London/Kent
Hartwell/London
Salkeld/Cumberland/Northumberland
Robinson/London
Stewart/Ireland/Scotland/England

Offline James1950

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 30 June 13 21:20 BST (UK) »
My grandfather was a dispatch rider in the Army Service Corps.i think most of the dispatch riders came from this Corps. They would also be assigned to various other regiments. At one point he was assigned to the Royal Artillery when he would deliver messages from the Gun spotters to the Gunners.

James
Heyworth/  Harrison/ Broughton/Cook/Crooke/Duxbury ~  Pendle
Myerscough ~ Lancashire
Eastwood ~ Burnley
Chppendale ~ Bradford
Bulcock ~Pendle
Cropper/ Heap/Shackleton  ~ Bacup ~ Todmorden
Barry/Looney / Kennely ~ Tralee Kerry

Offline Colin Cruddace

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 30 June 13 21:29 BST (UK) »
Thank you for the prompt replies, Sharon and James.

Wiki suggests that the early ones were volunteers which would explain why I can't find any records.

James, did you find anything for your Grandad?

Colin


Offline James1950

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 30 June 13 21:46 BST (UK) »
Yes Colin. I got his service record. He was awarded the Military Medal. He had driven through what he thought was a deserted village and came under enemy fire. He realised that there was an Army convoy behind him and drove back through the village under more gunfire to warn the oncoming troops.

http://www.burnleygallantry.co.uk/gallantry/heyworthjamesrobinsonmm.htm

Kind regards
James
Heyworth/  Harrison/ Broughton/Cook/Crooke/Duxbury ~  Pendle
Myerscough ~ Lancashire
Eastwood ~ Burnley
Chppendale ~ Bradford
Bulcock ~Pendle
Cropper/ Heap/Shackleton  ~ Bacup ~ Todmorden
Barry/Looney / Kennely ~ Tralee Kerry

Offline Colin Cruddace

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 30 June 13 22:09 BST (UK) »
Thanks again James, what a heroic act indeed.

At the time, mine was apprenticed as a motor mechanic so he may well have had his own machine. The source of the information seems credible so I can only assume that he was a volunteer and that no official records exist.

Colin

Offline James1950

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 30 June 13 22:20 BST (UK) »
Thank you Colin,

I would have thought that even volunteers would be assigned to a Regiment as otherwise they could be treated as spies if captured as a civilian.

Good luck with your search

Kind regards
James
Heyworth/  Harrison/ Broughton/Cook/Crooke/Duxbury ~  Pendle
Myerscough ~ Lancashire
Eastwood ~ Burnley
Chppendale ~ Bradford
Bulcock ~Pendle
Cropper/ Heap/Shackleton  ~ Bacup ~ Todmorden
Barry/Looney / Kennely ~ Tralee Kerry

Offline Colin Cruddace

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #7 on: Monday 01 July 13 01:25 BST (UK) »
Thank you Colin,

I would have thought that even volunteers would be assigned to a Regiment as otherwise they could be treated as spies if captured as a civilian.

Good luck with your search

Kind regards
James

Hi James,

I would have thought that the opposite would have applied. A military man dressed as a civilian could be treated as a spy, but a civilian rider assigned to a regiment is still a civilian.

I've been Goggling again and there does seem to be Civilan Volunteer Despatch Riders but only commemorated on Woodbine fag cards  ::) ::)

Regards,
Colin

Offline James1950

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Re: Despatch Riders WW1
« Reply #8 on: Monday 01 July 13 09:27 BST (UK) »
I stand corrected  ;D
Heyworth/  Harrison/ Broughton/Cook/Crooke/Duxbury ~  Pendle
Myerscough ~ Lancashire
Eastwood ~ Burnley
Chppendale ~ Bradford
Bulcock ~Pendle
Cropper/ Heap/Shackleton  ~ Bacup ~ Todmorden
Barry/Looney / Kennely ~ Tralee Kerry