Getting started

[colbetts]

Hi there, this is my first ever post on this forum so please be gentle with me if I do anything wrong!I am currently sorting through a lot of my late fathers stuff and I have come across some medals belonging to his father (my Grandfather) from WW1. I am hoping that someone could point me in the right direction to research his war record. I have his name and unit number as stamped on the medals, he was a gunner in the R A. Any help and guidance would be really appreciated.

[dowdstree]

A very warm welcome from me.

There are many experts on here who will give their time and effort freely to help others.,

To get them started you could post all the information you have on your grandfather. His name and any other details would be helpful.

Dorrie

[colbetts]

Thank you so much for the welcome!
My grandfathers' name was Frederick Betts, he served as a gunner in the Royal Artilery during WW1. His unit number as stamped on the edge of the medals I have is 1563. I am unsure at this stage of his exact DOB but I think I can find this if any more info is needed.

Col......

[JJen]

Hi,

Welcome to RootsChat.

Frederick's Medal Card is available to download from TNA -

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1311683

He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.

JJ

[JJen]

It would appear that Frederick's Service record did not survive the bombing in 1940. The link below will explain further -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/service_records/sr_soldiers.htm

JJ

[MaxD]

JJen is absolutely right.

However, we can squeeze some information from his medal record.  His card does not have a date for entry to a theatre of war.  This tells us that he went overseas after the end of 1915.

He was in the Royal Field Artillery which, like most of the army, was a Territorial Force unit and as such was re-numbered in 1917.  His second number was allocated to 222 Brigade Royal Field Artillery so we know he served with them in and after mid 1917 although we don't know whether he stayed with them throughout.  There is a brief history of 222 Brigade here (CCXXII Brigade) :
ttps://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-royal-artillery-in-the-first-world-war/batteries-and-brigades-of-the-royal-field-artillery/ccxx-ccxxi-ccxxii-and-ccxxiii-howitzer-brigades-of-the-royal-field-artillery/

More in a mo

MaxD


 

[MaxD]

222 Brigade spent its war in Iraq after a spell in India, there is a war diary you can download for £3.50 from the National Archives here:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/322555fc4f4f4f7a8fabd3d5cbecfbdc

I wonder whether the Cinque Ports connection relates to him in any way?

MaxD

[colbetts]

I am absolutely stunned at the fantastic response I have received to my request.
Thank you all so very very much.

Col....

[MaxD]

Col

Was there a Kentish connection for grandfather? I note there are at least 4 Frederick Betts in 1911 in Kent of about the right age?

MaxD