Cheshire Regiment in India

[wilcoxon]

Thanks .

I`ve found lots of images , also by searching Soltau Camp. I would like to think my man was on  one of them,  and hoping he was in the football team.

[wilcoxon]

 I found this group of men at Soltau , would they be Americans.

[MaxD]

I'd say they were French colonial troops, the regimental number on the collars is typical of the French uniform of the time.

maxD

[wilcoxon]

 I see, just googled and found more info.
Thanks again.

[gazania]

Hi,

Thank you for posting this topic.  I have Arthur George Wareham, who was, it seems, a regular in the 2nd Cheshire Regiment.  He too was a POW, but unfortunately, I have not been able to find his army record.  Your postings have given me more information.  His details are below:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=773142.9;last_msg=6262678

[gazania]

Oops. Above link is wrong.  See Arthur George Wareham posted 2015 on this board.  Thanks, Gazania

[MaxD]

Gazania

Couldn't really tell from the earlier thread how much info you have gathered so forgive me if this is old hat.  Have you seen the relevant war diary?  Your man's medal record indicates war service overseas after the end of 1915 so points towards his service with the 2nd Battalion in the Salonika campaign.  The diary for that period has not been digitised http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7360904

The list of POWs returning home on 1 Dec 1918 in which he appears contains men from a number of regiments in the Salonika campaign which would tend to confirm that that was where he was captured.

You also mentioned finding a history.  If you haven't already done it, a concentration on the Salonika campaign and a copy of the war diary should perhaps be your next move.

By now you will know that his detailed service record must be among the 70% or so of those destroyed by bombing  in WW2.

maxD

[wilcoxon]

Going back to Edward Smith, when he enlisted in 1903 he stated he was 19 years 6 months. I  fact he was I year 11 months younger. What was the minimum age at that time.

On image 0083 it states he is a waiter in Sgt`s Mess, but this form seems to be from  after he was missing in 1914.
On  image 0086 dated 1903 he states to question 10, do you belong to the Army etc,  "yes 3rd Cheshire`s .
11 Have you ever served in the Army etc  "no except for the Militia in which I am now serving.
He also states he is a paviour.

 Could you explain this , I`m a little confused.
Thanks for you help.

[MaxD]

The form on which he states he has worked in the Sgts Mess is dated 20 something October 1906, he answers the question at serial 9 of the form, it goes on to the next page to serial 16.  This is him transferring to the reserve.

Prior to joining the regular army in 1903, he was serving or had served in the 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment which was the militia (part time) battalion.  He would have turned up at weekends and the odd evening and maybe a summer camp or two.  His trade was pavior which is a man who lays paving stones (also called paviors).

The age was 18 but he was obviously keen to serve so fibbed about his age.  He kept up the pretence until transfer to the reserve when his "army" age is 22 and a half (the first form you queried.

maxD