Longmoor 1922

[belonging]

I have an army photogragh, which probably belonged to my father, and at the bottom it says-

Greetings from R.A.(blot) Sergt Mess
18th Pack Battery R.G.A. Longmoor 1922

There is a cross above the head of one of the men, so obviously he was the sender.  Might I be able to find out who he is?  He's probably a rellie from the past, and it's been bothering me for years.

With thanks,

Louisa

[dave the tyke]

Hi Louisa
Why the West Yorkshire board ?
Longmoor was/is the site of a military railway in Borden Hampshire. So you have a sergeant / sergeant major (or a person working in the Sergeants mess) of the Royal Garrison Artillery, 18th Pack Battery - which sounds to me like a supply unit.
This posting should probably be on the Armed Force board, there are some military experts there who might be able to tell you where to find the information that you are looking for. What you might be able to find from Royal Artillery archives, is a list of Sergeants at that time.

Dave

[belonging]

Thanks for your reply and advice Dave.  I've tried the Royal Artillery site, but not come across a message board.  I'll keep trying!

Louisa

[mmm45]

Louisa
If its 1922 and he is a Sergeant its more than likely he had WW1 service and if he went overseas then medals
Thus He MAY have a Medal Index Card

Can you post a scan of the photo and any Possible names?
(just hope its not Smith or Williams!! )

Longmoor is still there a big training area in Hampshire home of the RMP Close protection course at present


Ady

[dave the tyke]

Louisa

Thus He MAY have a Medal Index Card

No good Ady, we don't have a name, and yes he is probably a career man if he stayed on and made Sgt. after the war so there should be a long service and good conduct record.

I think the R.A. initials stand for Royal Artillery .... and not the person who sent the photo.

If you want help we could use some background information - was your granddad in the forces, what part of the country did he live, what was his date of birth and his name, did he have brothers ?

I note that this posting has now been moved  perhaps someone on this board knows the R.A. archives address ?

Dave

[belonging]

Dave and Ady,

I've replied to your posts and attached a photo, but have no idea where it's gone to.  I'm not having much luck with posting today.

Perhaps it will turn up somehwhere.

Thanks,

Louisa

[ainslie]

A Pack Battery was nothing to do with supplies, but served small, portable guns, notably in the days of the North West Frontier.
A

[belonging]

I think you are right Ainslie.  The Sgts at the back of the photo have some type of belt that goes under one shoulder and over the other,the belts have some type of pockets with something in them I think,  and they don't look like tins of corned beef to me.

Louisa

[mmm45]

http://www.firepower.org.uk/research/index.asp

Heres the info that MAY help with your research
If he had Post 1922 service then his record is still with MOD.

As Ainslie has just stated Pack Battery was the post 1920 term for the old Mountain Batteries that used to "pack" the kit using mules.

Ady