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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: ele on Sunday 24 April 05 13:52 BST (UK)

Title: regiment number, question..
Post by: ele on Sunday 24 April 05 13:52 BST (UK)

Can you perhaps tell by a regiment number, what area someone is from?... if that makes sense! My G.Grandad lived in Glasgow Scotland and I have narrowed my ww1 medal card search down to two. Unfortunately, they are not on the same medal page and not wanting to order two at this point..

One is, James McQuade.. Royal Engineers.. Sapper
            regiment no.272481 and WR509632.1914-1918.

and      James McQuade.. Royal Engineers.. Sapper
            regiment no.181660 and Wr296611.1914-1918.

also I have a Francis McQuade b.1850 Glasgow, down in 1877 as being in the 59th regiment. Can anyone point me in the right direction in finding a little more on the 59th regiment?

Thank you, Ele...

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: M.T.H on Sunday 24 April 05 14:17 BST (UK)

Hi Ele,

The 59th Regiment of Foot,were part of the East Lancashire Regiment.

Here's some info on the campaigns that they took part in at the time of your Francis McQuade's service in 1877.

http://www.army.mod.uk/qlr/museum_archives/afghanistan.htm

Hope this is of some help,

Best wishes,Mick ;)

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: ele on Sunday 24 April 05 15:10 BST (UK)

thank you for that... a big help... Ele.

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: Rod In Sussex on Sunday 24 April 05 15:21 BST (UK)

If he was a Sapper the regiment will have very little to do with where he was recruited. The Royal Engineers were and are a national Corp. Recruitment was not specifically from one location.

Rod

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: ChrisPage on Sunday 24 April 05 19:21 BST (UK)

Try looking on the WW1 site here

http://www.1914-1918.net/index.htm

And join the forum it is an excellent site

Christine

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: wellie on Sunday 24 April 05 22:46 BST (UK)

I do not know about  1914 - 1918. but in the 1970s numbers were issued in batches for each area ie 2425.... for Birmingham & 2419.... for Salisbury.

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: ele on Tuesday 26 April 05 02:24 BST (UK)

Thank you all... looks like I will have to order both.. Shouln't complain really as at least it's only two.. I have  surname, Fraser that I would like to find, with no details, good luck to me!!

Enjoy yor day/night.. Ele..

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: manmack on Friday 08 July 05 05:20 BST (UK)

elle,the WR in front of their numbers stands for waters and rivers,they were employed on river,canals and lakes,mack

Title: Re: regiment number, question..
Post by: ele on Sunday 10 July 05 11:37 BST (UK)

Thanks for that.. i just find the whole war section a little confusing. I'm getting there, slowly..

Ele.