Royal Field Artillery

[maudmutch]

I have just paid for an image on National Archives First World War medals section.   I am  trying to find out about my grandfather, Edward Ewins  who served in the Royal Field Artillery.  I now  know his  two regimental numbers 1581 and 710717 but cannot interpret the other numbers on the record. How  do I find his service record?  I seem to be left with more questions than answers since I obtained the info.

Can anyone help, please

Thanks

Val

[casalguidi]

The surviving records for WW1 soldiers are at the National Archives, Kew, London.  I am afraid that there isn't a very high success rate but you never know ..............

http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/researchguidesindex.asp

Take the link to the British Army Soldiers' Papers 1914-1918 ....................

You could also try the London Gazette who published details of promotions and awards - often a lengthy search with not much info for common surnames but you do at least have the regimental numbers to check against.  These numbers were probably not unique to your ancestor as they often allocated numbers in batches.

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/index.asp?webType=0

Try the local library for the area in which your ancestor lived to see whether the local area collected info on recruits in their area - local newspapers sometimes listed these too.

Hope this helps

Casalguidi

[maudmutch]

Thanks for that information.  My relative was a gunner.  He was gassed but not killed in the War but does not have the rank to figure in the Gazette.  I think  you are right about the local newspaper.  I will have a try with that.

Thanks again for your help.

Val