5th Connaught Rangers & Provost Corps

[Jamie H]

My grandfather was with the 5th Connaught Rangers in WW1. He was issued with a Clearance Certificate (DAPM class FF 10th Division) issued Abbassia 28.10.1919. What does this mean?

His Army discharge is dated 23.12.1919, and he was discharged from 24.11.1919. Does that mean that's when he left the Army?

Then there was a Dispersal Certificate, 24 11 1919. Apparently this says he was last serving with Provost Corps.

He was in Egypt, Alexandria District -- Military Mounted Police Department, I think. Can anyone tell me if this means it was with the British Provost Corps i.e. British Military Police? And how would I find out about this?

Thanks,
Jamie

[Brian1]

Hi Jamie,
I think the DAPM refers to the army abbreviation for Deputy Assistant Provost Marshall.
Other than this I cannot add.
Brian

[Brian1]

Sorry missed this one out! The FF stands for Frontier Force.
Try looking in the digger history site
www.diggerhistory.info/pages-asstd/abbreviations.htm

Brian

[Jamie H]

Thank you, Brian. I've had a look at the digger history site, but must look again —there's a lot on it.

What interests/intrigues me is that it looks likely that my grandfather (Ernest William SMITH) served with the Australian Provost Corps. He was certainly qualified to join it. I am wondering how to get details of the men who belonged to the APC. And, maybe, the Australian War Memorial might be able to help. I'd just like to be able to verify that he was with them. And it does look as though there was only one branch of Military Police in Egypt at the time, the APC.

I wonder if British members of the APC would be paid by England or by Australia?

Jamie

[Brian1]

Hi Jamie,
As a little background to the APC you could look up the following site which outlines the growth of the corps in Egypt during WW1

http://home.iprimus.com.au/buckomp/ANZACProCorpsEgyptPalestine191618Story.htm

Brian

[Jamie H]

I'll have a look at that site, Brian. However, I asked the Australian War Memorial where the records of the APC might be, and gave them the details I've outlined above. The reply came that there  is no 10th Division of the Australian Provost Corps. So it appears that my grandfather, who was English, must have served in a British MP group.

I've contacted the National Archives (UK) to ask if they can point me in the right directiion. When I hear, I'll let you know of any success.

Thanks,

Jamie