Private John Joseph Coward 20933 3rd Middlesex Regiment

[Scathelock]

I have recently attempted to find some information about my maternal grandfather, John Joseph Coward (1902-1966). I am told he joined up shortly after WWI and was sent to the Rhineland. I know his number '20933' and that he was a private in the 3rd Middlesex Regiment through information on his marriage certificate. Unfortunately I drew a blank with Find My Past, is there any other sites I could try, or were records of this regiment destroyed?

[ScouseBoy]

The Middlesex Regiment, or a successor regiment,  may have a regimental museum somewhere?   Search for that museum, I advise.

[km1971]

The Middlesex Regiment added the 3rd and 4th Regular battalions in 1900 during the Boer War. Both were disbanded in August 1922. Any existing men serving in either battalion should have been transferred to the 1st or 2nd (Regular) Battalions or another regiment, or discharged, if they found they had too many.

Before that the army replaced regimental numbers with seven-digit army numbers. The Middlesex were given numbers in the block 6188001 to 6278000.

Records of men discharged after (technically August) 1920 remain with the MOD. Their regimental museum lost its premises in 1902 with their artifacts being given to the National Army Museum. Maybe they or someone on the Great War Forum will know where their records are, and if they are accessible.

Otherwise you will have to spend £30 with the MOD.

Ken

[Scathelock]

Many thanks Ken and ScouseBoy. I will try The Great War Forum and MOD.