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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 10:38 BST (UK)

Title: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 10:38 BST (UK)
My aunt has a very long photograph of a regiment.
On it somewhere is my great grandad George Barks 1878-1929.

It says 55th Remount Squadron, also says Ripon 1917.

I have googled and all I have found is an Australian force.

My great grandad was born in Balderton, Notts and after 1906 lived in Burton on Trent, Staffs.

Help!!!
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: genechaser on Monday 31 July 06 10:58 BST (UK)
Hi

Try contacting the Imperial War Museum.
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 11:22 BST (UK)
Hi

Thanks for that, I have emailed them.
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: harribobs on Monday 31 July 06 12:14 BST (UK)
The 55th remount squadron was part of the ASC, the army service corps

they trained the horses before they were sent out to the transport units

55th was based in newcastle upon tyne
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 13:10 BST (UK)
Thanks Harribobs

Does this mean that my great grandad possiby didnt go the France or wherever?

Would he have stayed in this country?


He died in 1929 when my dad was only 6 months old. As my dad was the eldest, there is no one around who remembers him.
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 13:13 BST (UK)
So this is possibly him?

He didnt have a middle name

Medal card of  Barks, George
Corps: Army Service Corps
Regiment No: M/301417
Rank: Private
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 13:25 BST (UK)
I have downloaded the above medal card.

The theatre of war is blank. I guess that means that he did stay in the UK
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: harribobs on Monday 31 July 06 14:08 BST (UK)

Does this mean that my great granddad possibly didnt go the France or wherever?

not necessarily, but it's possible

So this is possibly him?
Medal card of  Barks, George
Corps: Army Service Corps
Regiment No: M/301417
Rank: Private


it may be, but the M prefix means this soldier was involved in motor transport, so the odds are against it

i would have expected your  GGF's service number to start with R

The theatre of war is blank. I guess that means that he did stay in the UK

no it doesn't, the fact that this soldier got medals means he served abroad, the detail is omitted from the index card, it will be on the full medal roll
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 14:17 BST (UK)
Hi Harrobobs

The only other George Barks on the medal card index is this one

Medal card of  Barks, George F
Corps: Army Service Corps
Regiment No: R/41 067401
Rank: Private...


the problem with that one is that he didn't have a middle name, not on his birth, marriage or death cert.

I suppose if the records do go online at the end of the year, then I will be able to find out more. I cannot get to Kew.
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 14:21 BST (UK)
Harribobs

Both of those men in the ASC are on the same medal card. Will you take a look please?
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: harribobs on Monday 31 July 06 14:50 BST (UK)

looking at it from a purely military viewpoint, if you were going off service numbers, R/41 067401 would seem to be the best option

but it is still possible that he didn't leave the UK and wasn't entitled to any medals and neither is him
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 15:11 BST (UK)
Harribobs

Thank you for all of your help.

R/41 067401 if for George F Barks, so I don't think it's him.

Perhaps he didn't leave the UK.
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: harribobs on Monday 31 July 06 15:20 BST (UK)

no problem, shame we couldn't pin him down further

(i wonder what the imperial war museum will say?)
Title: Re: 55th Remount Squadron in WW1
Post by: Dragon from Hell on Monday 31 July 06 15:29 BST (UK)
Harribobs

I will let you know