Regimental Serjeant Major at Normanton Barracks

[willow154]

Hi everyone (especially veteran Sherwood Foresters),
I'm currently trying find my father and grandfather's army records.
My grandfather died when I was two, so I have no personal recollection of him. My elder sister says he was very strict!
Family who remember him all say he was in the Sherwood Foresters (both wars) and was a regimental serjeant major during WW2, at Normanton Barracks in Derby. My uncle remembers visiting him there, and that he had a batman named Melvin.
I have spoken to the Sherwood Forester Museum archivist, but they don't have any records for him. Their records are not complete, however.
I am hoping to write for his army records from Glasgow, but without much concrete information it makes it less likely that they will find them.
Can anyone help please in confirming his existence/rank etc.
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards,
Paulene.
My grandfather's name was John William Riley, but he may have been known as William Riley (Bill). He seems to have chopped and changed names on various certificates! Born Derby, later lived in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

[Wendi]

Sorry Paulene, I have been following a lot of your topics, and thought I had suggested this.

Obviously not 

Next of kin can apply for service records, for a fee of, currently £30 further info here:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,154824.0.html

Wendi 

[willow154]

Hi Wendi,
Just sent off for dad's (Jack), and hoping to send off for my grandfather's (John William/William) soon.
Posted the 2 posts as I was hoping to get a little more evidence before sending the applications, as it says they cannot guarantee to find the record; but perhaps they will surprise me!
Thank you for sending the link.
Kind regards,
Paulene.
Hopefully all will be revealed soon.

[willow154]

HI Wendi,
Thought you might like to know that I finally found out the truth - my grandfather was acting RSM at Normanton Barracks - so the story was almost right!
After I got my father's record from Historical Disclosures I spoke to Bernadette there and she kindly looked for William Riley's (not his birth name!) date of birth in 1893 and said she thought she had found his record D/3195. So armed with this information I filled in the form and sent off the £30 payment.
Basically his record summary is as follows:
Enlisted 1911 to Sherwood Foresters.
Later sent to serve in India for just over a year.
Brought back to UK and sent to serve in Bristish Expeditionary Force in France (1914)
Home with frostbite
Birtish Expeditionary Force in France 1915
Home on leave to get married 1916
 (transferred to Labour Corps)
Expeditionary Force in France 1916 -1918
Wounded 1918 (gas)
WO Class2
CSM North Staffs Regiment 1919
Then demobilised to Army Reserve B
Re-engaged in 1920s as CSM North Staffs until 1931.
WW2 summary shown in attachment.
Thanks for the advice and encouragement
So nice to have the mystery solved, but so much more to discover as I read through all the pages they've sent me!
Paulene

 

[Wendi]

Hi Paulene !

What wonderful news 

I'm really glad that Historical Disclosures were so much help!  There is nothing worse than recommending a government department and then finding they are short on PR skills 

William certainly had extensive service in both World Wars  His knowledge  and experience would have been highly valued at the outbreak of WW2.

Thanks for the update !

Wendi