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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: leka on Wednesday 02 January 19 18:23 GMT (UK)

Title: 6 I.B.D
Post by: leka on Wednesday 02 January 19 18:23 GMT (UK)
Hi
On the medical record for one of my family it has the following: "joined 6 I.B.D posted to 16 Welsh at Rouen 24 May 1917". could anyone tell me what 6 I.B.D stands for.

many thanks and a Happy New Year to all
leka
Title: Re: 6 I.B.D
Post by: AlanBoyd on Wednesday 02 January 19 18:47 GMT (UK)
According to:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/records/abbreviations-in-world-war-one-medal-index-cards-unit.pdf

I.B.D.A.I.F. is Infantry Base Depot Australian Imperial Force

so maybe Infantry Base Depot?
Title: Re: 6 I.B.D
Post by: JohninSussex on Wednesday 02 January 19 18:55 GMT (UK)
You usually get points deducted for guessing.  "Joined I.B.D." obviously makes it a unit and a "depot" is a place.   More likely something Division?
Title: Re: 6 I.B.D
Post by: heywood on Wednesday 02 January 19 18:58 GMT (UK)
I would go for Depot based on this - can we have points restored?

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/other-aspects-of-order-of-battle/infantry-base-depots-in-france-1914-1918/

6 - Rouen
Title: Re: 6 I.B.D
Post by: MaxD on Wednesday 02 January 19 19:19 GMT (UK)
Perhaps JohninSussex should acknowledge the deduction of points from his score?

MaxD
Title: Re: 6 I.B.D
Post by: AlanBoyd on Wednesday 02 January 19 19:24 GMT (UK)
Here is an entire thesis on the role of IBDs in replacing casualties:

http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/6775/1/Hine16PhD.pdf

and here is a letter from Ford Maddox Ford written from IX Welch No. 6 I. B. D. Rouen:

https://books.google.com/books/about/War_Prose.html?id=3rFuBgAAQBAJ

...points mean prizes



Title: Re: 6 I.B.D
Post by: leka on Wednesday 02 January 19 23:04 GMT (UK)
Thank you all for your help very much appreciated, especially AlanBoyd & Heywood for the links.
leka
Title: Re: 6 I.B.D
Post by: JohninSussex on Thursday 03 January 19 00:08 GMT (UK)
Quote from: MaxD on Wednesday 02 January 19 19:19 GMT (UK)
Perhaps JohninSussex should acknowledge the deduction of points from his score?
MaxD
Yes that is fair.  The situation moved from a guess to very compelling evidence. As the source says, "The abbreviation IBD appears in virtually every infantryman’s service record, yet little is documented about them. This section of the Long, Long Trail will help anyone trying to find out more."