Regiment number

[bernard_lewis]

Well I'm here but I'm not really a Welsh Regiment expert despite what Harribobs kindly claims for me!) Happy to try and help though.

Here is a link to a site that you may have seen?

 http://www.17thwelsh.ukf.net/

Regimental Museum is in the Black Tower at Cardiff Castle. I must say though that there was not a lot of stuff there (of use to me) when I looked for 14th Welsh. But 17th might be different.

Beyond that not a lot to add to what Harribobs has already said. If you've not seen the site before and it gives you any new leads let us know and we'll see if we can add anything.

Bernard (14th Welsh is my speciality)

[Welsh Jules]

Thanks ever so much to both of you for your help, hopefully you'll also be able to help me with this photograph.

I've been told all my life that this is a photograph of one of my ancestors Thomas Blethyn. His sister brought my mother up after her mother died and always told us that he'd served with the Welsh Regiment (it was he who we were told was in the Bantams not my grandfather I got the informatioin confused - although my grandfather did serve in the Welsh Regiment too) and was bured at Ypres.

However, on the Commonwealth War Commission site he's listed as having served with the 2nd/9th Manchester Regiment and that he's buried at Dochy Farm New British Cemetary, the details of his mother and his address at the time are all correct). To me the badge on his cap does look like the three feathers?

If anyone could help it would be much appreciated.

Julie

[harribobs]

i think we can safely say that is the welsh regiment 

don't forget, the 17th and the 18th battalions were bantam battalion and both were part of the welsh regiment!

[harribobs]

ps, had you noticed he's wearing spurs? he worked with or on horses!

[Welsh Jules]

If that's the case he's not Thomas Blethyn as I've just checked the National Archives medal cards and Tom was definitely with the Manchester Regiment, however, it so strange his sister always telling us he had been with the Welsh Regiment. This family history lark doesn't half get you confused on times  

[Welsh Jules]

Did most battalians use horses to some degree?

[harribobs]

hmmm he could have changed regiments, certainly he's listed as being killed in action while serving with the manchesters. but men were sent where they were needed and that wasn't always

also he enlisted in Tonypandy and was living in Penygraig, you do sometimes get details of previous regiments but not always

did you download his medal card?

[harribobs]

yes, the army moved on horses until very late in the war, the average infantry regiment had nearly a hundred horses

[Welsh Jules]

Yes I've attached the whole sheet - he's the top right. I can't seem to work out how to cut a piece from a PDF doc sorry