Where did he go in Theatre of War please?

[Treelover]

Hi

I have John Bray of the Manchester Regiment (No 12021). On his medal card, his entry into the Theatre of War was 8th November 1915.  Does anyone know where he would have gone please?

Sorry, I also have another query.  His brother Thomas Bray, is also shown as the Manchester Regiment (19727) it says he went to France on 10th November 1915.  He also served with the Army Service Corps no. M/323427, I presume this was motorised would it have been motor car or motor bike.

Thanks
Joan

[km1971]

Hi Joan

The medal card should say which theatre he entered. There should be a number (with or without a small letter) in brackets, ie (1) = France

http://www.1914-1918.net/mancs.htm - You have to go through all the blue Divisions and see if you can find one that matches the date of entry

The ASC were divided between MT and HT: Motor Transport and Horse Transport, so he was with the MT. http://www.1914-1918.net/logistics/ASC_HT.htm

So it was motor trucks.

Ken

[Treelover]

Hi Ken,

Thank you very much for the information.  This is about the 5th medal card I have found for various family members.  I've got the hang of knowing what medals they were awarded and on others it had a place ie France.  But this one didn't.  Now I've looked at it more closely there is a number 1 above the date 

On his brother's  card it says Manchester Regiment and ASC.

Also he received 3 medals the Victory & British have a x with four dots, and this sign is also shown next to the Manchester Regiment.  His star medal is written in the same colour ink and his serving with the ASC, I presume this means he got that medal whilst with the Motor Corps?

Joan

[km1971]

The cross with four dots against his rank and regiment shows what was impressed on the BWM and VM medals. These were issued together.

The 1914-1915 Star should be impressed with the regiment he was in when he entered theatre. You can usually get some clues from the first few characters on the medal roll.

I am assuming you have checked Ancestry to see if their papers survive. They have published all Bs. These will say which battalion he was in.

If you cannot find a battalion that went to France in November 1915, he must have been a later replacement. Then you will have to visit Kew and look at the original roll using the roll and page information. Or you could try a post on the Great War Forum. A Mancesters specialist may have taken copies already, or can tell from the number which Battalion he was with. If you do go to Kew you will need a reader's ticket as they are original documents.

Ken

[Treelover]

Hi

Got Thomas's service records, but badly damaged and also his medal card.


Nope - can't upload them too big. May be later once I have someone at home to help

[liverpool annie]

Hi Joan !

You might like to try the Manchesters site .. as Ken says they may have the information already !

http://www../

Annie 

[forester]

Hello Joan,

Thomas Bray joined up with the 21st (Service) Battallion, Manchester Regiment 11th January 1915 and was in France from 10th November 1915 to 9th September 1916, when he returned to England following being wounded in action.
His time in the ASC starts from 29th September 1917.

Did you realise that there are two sets of service records for him on Ancestry. The second set are much clearer and far more detailed.

Phil

[Treelover]

Hi Annie and Phil,

Thanks for the information and link. 

Phil,

Brilliant, thank you, no I hadn't realised there were TWO sets 

Your efforts are much appreciated.

Thanks again
Joan

[forester]

Joan,

A picture of Grove Park Barracks (SE London) where Thomas started his ASC career