Royal Field Artillery c.1900 - 1919

[zeebra]

Apologies in advance for the long winded nature of this post.
My grandfather joined the RFA 29/1/1900. records held at PRO, Kew - WO364-2490 show - 8 years in India - no promotions.
On reserve list until called up 11/9/1914
BEF to France 13/12/1915 as a gunner
14/12/1915 21st battery - A/Bdr
29/9/1916 promoted Bdr
18/5/1917 21st/2nd batt. - Act. corporal
22/6/1917 promoted corporal
18/10/1917 awarded Military Medal
1/12/1917 Posted to 42nd/2batt - corporal
23/11/1917 42nd/2 Act Sergeant
7/12/1917 promoted sergeant
17/11/1918  posted to 276/18 Royal Artillery, gleps dtl - sergeant.
Can someone please tell me
1. What does "gleps dtl" mean?
2. Why the dates on 42nd/2batt are out of sequence?
3. Where each battery was operating?

Answers to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated

Bill

[km1971]

Hi Bill

(1) and (2) If you post his name we can have a look.

(3) http://www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units.htm and find the division the 21st, 42  and 276 bdes were in. Then click British Division on the left. This will tell you the engagements during his time with them.

Are you sure it says 21st Battery against 14/12/1915?  And also that is says 18 after 276? The norm is Brigade/Battery and Brigades didn't have 18 batteries.

Ken

[zeebra]

Hi Ken

Thanks for the Web site. I will have a look through it.
My grandfather's name was William Millsopp.
I had another look at my notes and they are written down as 21st battery. I will concede that I may have transcribed it wrongly whan I was at Kew. (It wouldn't be the first time!)

Thanks again
Bill

[forester]

Hello Bill,

My interpretaion.........

Mobilised at Athlone 6th August 1914
Posted to 21 Battery, II Brigade RFA, 7th August 1914 [He went to France 11th September ]
Posted to 5B Reserve Brigade (Edinburgh) 7th November 1915 [Home]
Posted to 4a Reserve Brigade (Woolwich) 6th December 1915 [Home}
Posted to 21 Battery, II Brigade, 13th December 1915 [France]
Remained with 21 Battery until posted to 42 Battery (still within II Brigade), 1st December 1917.

The last overseas posting on 17th Oct or Nov 1918, I can't work out, but I think that it may be 276 Battery, but I haven't been able to track it down.

II Brigade was a Regular Army Brigade attached to 2nd Division.

http://www.1914-1918.net/2div.htm

Do you have his medal index card?

Phil

[forester]

I've just noticed that he was awarded the Military Medal.

London Gazette entry:

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30340/supplements/10724

Phil

[Toby Harnden]

Dear Bill,
Your grandfather's Military Medal is being sold here:
https://buymilitarymedals.com/collections/british-orders-decorations/products/military-medal-awarded-to-cpl-w-millsopp-21st-battery-royal-field-artillery
Yours,
Toby

[zeebra]

Tony,
Thanks for the post. I have always been curious about his medals, but nobody in our rather large extended family could ever come up with an answer. I will contact the seller and with a bit of luck be able to buy it.
Again, thanks.
Bill

[zeebra]

Toby!!
Sorry, in my excitement I misread your Name
Bill