Author Topic: Buffs???  (Read 7697 times)

Offline paulr

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Buffs???
« on: Thursday 26 May 05 15:33 BST (UK) »
Hello

I am trying to trace my grandfather William (James?) Reeves.

I have his dog tags and part of a badge which says "BUFFS"

He is probably from the Lewisham area of South London.

I have 2 sets of dog tags which say

The more battered of the two sets contains the following information.

One side - Reeves w and C.E and L/6104 (or L/G 104)
Other Side says - 24 Buffs.

The Newer tags say as follows;

One side - Reeves w and C.E and 203864
Other Side - 24 Buffs

There is also a record on the national archive site that says the following

Medal card of Reaves, W, Corps: East Kent Regiment
Regiment No: L/6104, Rank: Private, 1914-1920 WO 372/16
This could also relate to my grandfather.

I have downloaded the Medal chart but it doesnt mean much to me?
(I havent got the file with me at the moment but can post if it helps?)

The surname is spelled differently and also the number may be incorrect as the tags are damaged, but thats what it looks like....

The documents I have for him (Marriage and Death Cert) indicate he was born in 1882, but I am not 100% sure I have the right birth cert (s)

I am hoping that there may be a way of getting some more evidence to corroborate what I have already. The Census and Births/D/M's are not cut and dry for him I am afraid.

I have searched the Internet for regimental associations and e mailed several people but no joy...also the National Archives site and the War graves commission.

Even if I could find addresses or birth dates to check against would be helpfull.

any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

PS

He lost a limb we believe a leg! in the Great War....

Many thanks

Paul

Terry - Sussex/Surrey/London - Tingley - Sussex

Tullett - Sussex/Surrey - Vallance/Valance - Sussex/Surrey

Reeves - Kent/London - Gunner - Kent/Surrey

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Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Offline Berlin-Bob

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 26 May 05 15:42 BST (UK) »
"Steady, the Buffs !!"  I know the saying, but who said it ??

The Buffs are the ROYAL EAST KENT REGIMENT according to this site:
http://www.comradesandcolleagues.com/unitlst/GBUnits2871.asp

but see also: (search for BUFFS)
http://www.regiments.org/about/faq/oldest.htm

"BUFFS ARMY" in Google gives you several sites with East Kent in the description.

And to reply to my own question:
http://www.digiserve.com/peter/buffs/stbuffs.htm
gives several different answers !! (And also definitely says ROYAL EAST KENT REGIMENT )
- comes from Rudyard Kipling's "Soldiers Three"
- The troopship "Birkenhead" sinking,
- Wellington rallying the troops,
Any UK Census Data included in this post is Crown Copyright (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk)

Offline casalguidi

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 26 May 05 15:50 BST (UK) »
Hi Paul

Whilst there are some suriving WW1 soldiers papers, many were destroyed by enemy action in WW2 so the success rate is not high.  However, because your man lost a limb, he may have qualified for pension and the success rate may be higher .........

http://www.catalogue.nationalarchives.gov.uk/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=18

Best wishes

Casalguidi
Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline paulr

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #3 on: Friday 27 May 05 10:21 BST (UK) »
Many thanks Bob & Casalguidi

I have been advised that I need to visit Kew to possibly find some onfo out which I plan to do.

Many thanks

Paul
Terry - Sussex/Surrey/London - Tingley - Sussex

Tullett - Sussex/Surrey - Vallance/Valance - Sussex/Surrey

Reeves - Kent/London - Gunner - Kent/Surrey

---------------------------------------------------------
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
---------------------------------------------------------


Offline paulr

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #4 on: Friday 27 May 05 21:24 BST (UK) »
Hello

I would appreciate any help on the following.

I have had another look at the Medal Card

and have noticed the following in the Remarks section ....

New HOI (?) 203864 (or 203854)

This corresponds with the separate tags I have for my Grandfather so it must be him?

I would very much appreciate some help with the medal card and what the entries on it mean.

Would it be possible to e mail the file to someone who knows about them and could explain what the entries mean?

Its only a small PDF file. 377KB

I was hoping to find out more from Kew maybe as he lost a Limb and there also maybe a service record there, but wondered if having this Medal card might help me get more info on my Grandfather?

It was downloaded from the Archive at Kew.

The spelling of the name on the medal card is Reaves and his name is usually spelt Reeves.

Would very much appreciate any help on this as it is proving very difficult to pinpoint him and his family via the Census/BDM's etc.

Cheers

Paul



Terry - Sussex/Surrey/London - Tingley - Sussex

Tullett - Sussex/Surrey - Vallance/Valance - Sussex/Surrey

Reeves - Kent/London - Gunner - Kent/Surrey

---------------------------------------------------------
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Offline Lesanne

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #5 on: Friday 27 May 05 22:01 BST (UK) »
   Hi Paul,

           This probably throws a spanner in the works or even a wrench,

              But there is  another Buffs outfit.
                 
                                          R.A.O.B.   ~   Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.

            They have Masters and Grand masters etc.  Started in the early 1800's.

                   ;D   Lesanne.

                   
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Berks Bucks Oxon= Norris Coxhead Turner Cox Weston Baston Simpson
Kent= Nicholls Mepstead Watts   Mile End=Craze Wood Bennett
Cork=Howe   NZ=Coxhead   Canada=Fenn Cox Turner

Offline casalguidi

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #6 on: Friday 27 May 05 22:23 BST (UK) »
Hi Paul

Have you had a look at this page with regards to the medal card  ???

http://www.1914-1918.net/mics.htm

Casalguidi
Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline Lesanne

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #7 on: Friday 27 May 05 22:52 BST (UK) »
       Hi Paul,

          Did you look at the original image on 1901 census?

            As there is just 1 William Reeves  9 yrs, born Battersea, (Civil Parish- Lewisham)

             This may give you names that you recognize...

                            :)  Lesanne.
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Berks Bucks Oxon= Norris Coxhead Turner Cox Weston Baston Simpson
Kent= Nicholls Mepstead Watts   Mile End=Craze Wood Bennett
Cork=Howe   NZ=Coxhead   Canada=Fenn Cox Turner

Offline paulr

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Re: Buffs???
« Reply #8 on: Friday 27 May 05 23:27 BST (UK) »
Hello Casalguidi

No I have not seen this site it is very good I have looked at the Medal Card section and it is a big help and I will have a good look through the site for some more info. :)

It says on his Tags 24Buffs so I assume that was his regiment?

If so I think from the site I can see where they saw action etc.

The examples answer most of the questions...

Still interested as to what the remark means mentioned earlier and there is also a written entry under the 14 Star medal section which may be another medal but it looks like in the medal section it includes something I cannot read then,

H.H1H1

and there is an entry in the Roll it says

R 1V 2805 df(?)

in the page section it says

6.12.21 (?)

Not sure what that could be?

Would still appreciate any input on the card if anyone can help?  :-\

Hello Lesanne

Thanks for your help.

No have not looked at the 1901 yet....

The William in question should have been born in 1882 so would make him around 19 at that time not 9?.

Battersea is not in Lewisham..but it would be worth a look at anything that corresponds which I will def do.

Cheers

Paul


Terry - Sussex/Surrey/London - Tingley - Sussex

Tullett - Sussex/Surrey - Vallance/Valance - Sussex/Surrey

Reeves - Kent/London - Gunner - Kent/Surrey

---------------------------------------------------------
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
---------------------------------------------------------