Royal Field Artillery, 1097 Battery

[jack1601]

Hi
Any advice on how I may find any additional information on the following would be welcome:

I recently found my grandfather, Wilfred Adams, on a Leeds Absent Voters List showing that he was serving 222949 GWR Royal Field Artillery, 1097 Battery. I have so far not found his service record, or enrolment record. He survived the war but died in 1939 before I was born

Any additional information or advice on further research regarding the meaning of GWR or the 1097 Battery, in addition as to how I may locate his service history would be welcome

Thank you jack1601

[MaxD]

The "GWR" is actually GNR the abbreviation for Gunner, the private soldier rank in the Royal Artillery.

Fisrt look suggests that his service record has not survived (over 60% were destroyed during WW2 by bombing).  There is a medal record recording the British War and Victory medals meaning he didn't go overseas until after 1915.  The medal record shows he ended as a temporary Bombardier (one stripe then) (Ancestry have mistranslated the "T" as Transport).

I have found reference to 1097 Battery as being part of 216 Brigade who were in India in 1918. 

MaxD

[jack1601]

Hi MaxD

Thank you very much, that is great information and much appreciated

jack1601

[MaxD]

See CCXVI Brigade info at :  http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-royal-artillery-in-the-first-world-war/royal-field-artillery-brigades/.

A Google search on 216 Brigade RFA and 218 Brigade RFA (two of the brigades of 43 Wessex Division) will lead you to a little more info (while also exposing how little info there actually is!).

MaxD

[jack1601]

Thank you MaxD, your help is much appreciated and I have gained a lot from your information and advice

jack1601