Private Sam Forrest, Durham Light Infantry

[Neon_strobelight]

Hi, I hope someone can help as I'm not an expert in military history. My Gt Gt Uncle, Private Sam Forrest 301902 of Whitwell, Derbyshire went missing at Arras 24th April 1917.

My question is this, on his records there are records of him being in the Royal Regiment of Artillery 149540? These have all been crossed out. Did he transfer units? I have researched his brother, George who began in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and clearly states he was remustered as a pioneer in the Royal Engineers.

If anyone can advise, I'd appreciate the clarification.

[MaxD]

Answer is yes. His initial enlistment was in the Royal Artillery on 11 Dec 1915.  He looks like a Derby Scheme man whereby he volunteered, was assigned to the Royal Artillery in a Reserve Brigade (on paper), and went back to civilian life waiting to be called for service.  Later, May 1916, he is recalled and the army decide he should be in the DLI. 
More in a bit.

MaxD

[MaxD]

Served overseas first with 13th Battalion and then with 8th Battalion.  The action during which he went missing is described in great detail, together with a sketch map, in the war diary.  On the map/image at  http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=14&lat=50.2428&lon=2.8870&layers=101465080&right=BingHyb
the action began in square N24 towards the enemy lines running from N 30 to O 19.

MaxD

[Neon_strobelight]

Thank you Max, that's really helpful.

[Neon_strobelight]

Max, is there any way of finding out when he transferred to the 8th Battalion and why?

[MaxD]

His record has no dates and I find no obvious reason.  I do note that the medal roll (which shows the 13th and the 8th in that order) has a number of men transferring (again no dates) between the two battalions.  A possibility is that he was posted from UK to 13th Battalion in France but had his posting changed once he arrived at the base depot on the grounds that at the time the 8th were in more need of reinforcement. Not impossible but time consuming would be to look through the war diaries of both battalions, between May 1916 and April 1917, hoping to find, not his name, but an indication of reinforcements "from 13th" or "to 8th").
 
You may find a DLI expert on a more specialised Great War forum who may have an answer.

MaxD