Surrey National Reserve

[Mistyrose41]

On my father's Birth Certificate [1915] it gives his fathers rank or profession as PRIVATE SURREY NATIONAL RESERVE [BRICKLAYER]. Can anyone tell me if he would of had a service record and if so where I might find it. Mistyrose

[harribobs]

you could try looking for his Medal Index Card on the National Archives site

http://tinyurl.com/aessz

[Mistyrose41]

Thanks for the info...... No results there I'm afraid. Mistyrose

[liverpool annie]

Mistyrose!

Why don't you give a name and some dates and info ? - maybe somebody will be able to help you!
In the meantime - this is all I can find out!

National Reservists were generally organised on a company rather than battalion basis. Most were in Protection companies which guarded vital points and POWs. They became the Royal Defence Corps in 1916 and were not affiliated to infantry regiments.
Check out this site !

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

you said you tried for a medal index card - he may not have been entitled to any medals -  but given his age he may have got a Silver War Badge

Annie 

[Mistyrose41]

Hello Annie,
                       Thank you for all your info it is very helpful especially the reserve site. Family gossip has it that he sustained a leg injury in the Boar War so what I am really looking for is his record of service. I do not have any other information of his Army service except this Surrey National Reserve on my fathers birth certificate so really did not know where to start. Grandpa's name was ARTHUR FREDERICK FOSTER born Weybridge 28/10/1873. Married Thirza Mead 3/8/1901 at Esher Surrey. My father Horace Frederick was born 10/4/1915 at Long Ditton Surrey. Mistyrose

[Kevwood]

Wondered if this might be him?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=3712217&queryType=1&resultcount=75

Kev.

[Mistyrose41]

Hello Kev,

Not my Arthur[ Killed in action in France] but have found another Arthur Foster[ no other initial] East Surrey Regiment.Seems to have 2 regimental numbers which seems odd. Do you think it refers to 2 difference people?  If as Annie says
"National Reservists were generally organised on a company rather than battalion basis. Most were in Protection companies which guarded vital points and POWs. They became the Royal Defence Corps in 1916 and were not affiliated to infantry regiments". Perhaps I am wasting my time checking this lists. Mistyrose