Charles Henry Stephens.

[wrjones]

My relative Charles Henry Stephens was killed near Orlingham in Suffolk 06/02/1915,whilst apparently on exercises with his Cavalry Unit the Denbighshire Hussars.He has an apparently low service number,23.Was there any particular significance about those with such a low service number?

Regards
William Russell Jones.

[MaxD]

Each regiment had its own numbering system at that time and, according to the service number gurus, 23 would have joined the 1st Denbighshire Yeomanry in 1908.  I am not sure whether the later 2/1st which started in 1914 or the 3/1st in 1915 had their own numbering system from 1 (some individual sub units within a regiment did and some didn't, joining in with existing units) but if they did it simply meant he was well at the front of the enlistment queue.

MaxD

[wrjones]

Each regiment had its own numbering system at that time and, according to the service number gurus, 23 would have joined the 1st Denbighshire Yeomanry in 1908.  I am not sure whether the later 2/1st which started in 1914 or the 3/1st in 1915 had their own numbering system from 1 (some individual sub units within a regiment did and some didn't, joining in with existing units) but if they did it simply meant he was well at the front of the enlistment queue.

MaxD

Many thanks for your reply.He did not enlist until at least 1914.

Regards
William Russell Jones.

[MaxD]

Then either the 2/1st or 3/1st would have been his unit, both were in UK in 1915.

MaxD

[wrjones]

Then either the 2/1st or 3/1st would have been his unit, both were in UK in 1915.

MaxD

Thanks,would I be right in thinking that the first figure refers to Company and the one after relates to Battalion?

Regards
William Russell Jones.

[MaxD]

No.  The 1st, 2nd 3rd designations refer to First, Second and Third Line and are explained here better than I could!   http://www.1914-1918.net/tf.htm

The regiment's sub units were squadrons http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-yeomanry-regiments-of-1914-1918/denbighshire-yeomanry-hussars/

MaxD

[wrjones]

No.  The 1st, 2nd 3rd designations refer to First, Second and Third Line and are explained here better than I could!   http://www.1914-1918.net/tf.htm

The regiment's sub units were squadrons http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-yeomanry-regiments-of-1914-1918/denbighshire-yeomanry-hussars/

MaxD

Many thanks Max once again.

Regards
William Russell Jones.

[Gwil]

William

I have a note that he and Trooper 84 Robert Powell Williams were found drowned. See  (towards bottom of column1 )   http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4241025/4241033/53/williams%20AND%20stephens%20AND%20drowned



You say he did not enlist until at least 1914. Can I ask why you are so certain? His number, 23, is undoubtedly from 1908 which was when the DHY was created in the 'Territorial' reorganisation of that year. They were previously Denbighshire Imperial Yeomanry. I'd say this number is so low that he would have had service previous to 1908 in the DIY and is most probably the C Stephens of Cefn Mawr who enlisted 17 2 1902 as number 446. (Their Rolls Books are at Hawarden archives)

In the Training nominal roll for 'A' Squadron, DHY in 1914 he is shown as being in No 3 Troop (Llangollen) This Roll is in the RWF archives, now part of Wrexham County Archives.  The DHY were in camp (i.e training) for 3 weeks at Rhyl in May of 1914.   http://newspapers.library.wales/view/4242511/4242517/78/denbighshire%20AND%20yeomanry%20AND%20%20Camp

[MaxD]

Gwil

I wonder if William has confused fulltime service with part time service pre war.  Your facts very much support the man being in civilian life, serving part time from 1908 and then transferring to full time service at the outbreak of war (which William characterises as didn't enlist until at least 1914).

MaxD