Alfred Henry Cherry

[jim1]

Found these medal cards:
Alfred Cherry Pte.
11th.Royal Warwicks.
Reg.no.11057
Alfred H Cherry acting Sgt.
Royal Eng.
Reg.no.505788
Alfred J Cherry Corp.
Royal Eng.
Reg.no.119493

[chrisjcherry]

Thanks Jim I had already followed up the second record for Alfred Henry Cherry, however after looking at his service records I established that he was not my grandfather as his mothers name and address and his age were all different.
The first record may be his. I have now the medal card and this shows he went to France in July 1915. My grandfather would have just turned 17 at that date. However I can't locate a service record and all I know from talking to my nan is that he was in the Warwickshire Royal Engineers, Mechanical? something to do with transport and his war service ended in Salonika in 1919.
Any further ideas and help would be most welcome.

[jim1]

The RE was a Corps in it's own right.A squadron may have been attached to the Warwicks for repair/maintenance of the Regiments vehicles.In peace time this work
may have been undertaken by civilians.The RE served all over the world undertaking specialised work both in peacetime and war.
The service records for ordinary men went up in a fire in WW11.They are known as the "burnt collection",only about 1/4 survived so it's unlikely it exsists in any readable form.Unless he was wounded ( this will be on his medal card as SWB) and received a pension  the medal card is probably all you will get.
Disappointing I know but so it is for all of us.
Jim

[chrisjcherry]

Thanks Jim for your help.

[chrisjcherry]

I have managed to find a medal card record for an Alfred Henry Cherry(Victory & British Medals). This may be my grandfather.The medal card states ASC M2/265938. I can't find any army record for further details. Any ideas to establish where he went etc and what he did?

[jim1]

You could contact the RE Museum:
http://www.remuseum.org.uk/

                     Jim

[chrisjcherry]

Jim his medal states ASC which I take to read Army Service Corps. Is this separate from the Royal Engineers? What does the M2 signify before his regimental number?
Thanks

[jim1]

The ASC were involved with logistics,transportation of food,ammo etc.
I don't know what M2 stands for but someone probably does.Put it up the board as a seperate topic.

[chrisjcherry]

Does this photo shed any light on his army service? I recall my Nan said his friend shown on the right was Frank Perry, and I had made a note at the time: Royal Engineers, Mechanical Corp, Warwickshire.