France 1917

[cupcake]

I am trying to establish where my father was in France.

He was a Gunner with 3rd. East Lancashire Bde RFA. He was posted to 291 Bde RFA in France in 1917 but have no idea where.

cupcake

[forester]

Hello Cupcake,

Could you post a few more details about him, eg name. service number and any details on his medal index card (which I won't be able to access). Do you know if his service record has survived?

291 Brigade RFA was a London Territorial Brigade (formerly 2/II). The 3rd East Lancs Brigades were 211 and 332 Brigades.

291 Brigade war diary from Jan 1917 to May 1919 is at Kew in WO 95/2995/4. They were attached to 58th Division.

http://www.1914-1918.net/58div.htm

Phil

[cupcake]

Hello Phil,

My father was Gunner and his name Robert Moffat Titterington (sometimes his middle name isn't used) The information I have appears to be my fathers WW1 pension Records.Not sure if his service record survived. I do not have his medal index card.

Rank and regimental No - Gunner  690425. The Attestation was in Bolton, where I believe my father lived.

The writing isn't too clear - 293 Bde posted to 291 Bde RFA to France. My father was wounded and discharged to England 8/5/1917

Any information would be very much appreciated.

cupcake

[ShaunJ]

Army number was 690425 (there is a MIC for him).

Looks like he was wounded on 17 April 1917 while serving with 291 Bde RFA.

He was repatriated on the Hospital Ship St Denis from No 13 General Hospital which I think was at Boulogne.

13 Gen Hos received him from 23 FA

23 Field Ambulance appears to have been attached to 7th Division ( see next post)

[ShaunJ]

But 291 Bde was under the command of 58th Division so I think that must be 2/3 Field Ambulance not 23.

[cupcake]

ShaunJ,

Do you know how I can get a copy of his MIC, please.

So, my father was probably at Boulogne.

Thank you

cupcake

[ShaunJ]

There's nothing much on the MIC (Victory Medal, British War Medal, SWB) but you can find it on Ancestry if you have a sub, or get it from National Archives http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D5584237.

TNA has transcribed his number as 690426

[cupcake]

ShaunJ,

Just had another look at the information I have (the writing is not very clear) - 21/4/17 23 FA with must stand for Field Ambulance.

cupcake

[ShaunJ]

If you Google "58 Division" you can find out some of the engagements they took part in in February to April 1917. There may also be a unit war diary at TNA