Gap in military records

[mikebrunger]

My Grandfather Alfred Etheridge, b.1898 in Wellington Surrey served in WW1 from 1917-1918. He enlisted in 1/8th London regiment (Post Office Rifles) in June 1916 according to his demob  papers. In the WW1 Service Medal and Awards Rolls he is recorded thus:

1/8 London Reg, no.373599; 19/3/17-9/4/17
1/12 London (The Rangers);485006;10/4/17-16/6/17 ***
1/9 London (Queen Victorias); 20/12/17-21/12/17 ***
1/19 London (St.Pancras); 628011; 22/12/17-11/11/18

My question is why would there be a 6 month gap between 16/6/17 and 20/12/17??

[jim1]

The dates are for his overseas service so from 17/6/17 - 19/12/17 he was at home.

[mikebrunger]

Thanks. How would I find out where he was and what regiment for the dates he was home? I'm assuming he was still attached to the same regiment during that 6 month period.

[jim1]

Without a service record you won't for sure.
He may have been wounded & posted back to France with the 9th. as an administrative transfer because he was transferred the following day to the 19th.
The war diary is at the TNA. It doesn't mention him by name but you will see what they were up to around June 1917.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01j9t/ 
&
The 1/19.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01j9v/ 

You can download them for £3.45.

I can tell you from the 1/12 diary they were at Arras April 1917 involved in that battle.
They drove the Germans back to beyond Wancourt (E. of Arras) by May 1917.
The 1/12 held that position (under almost continuous bombardment) until relieved on the 15th. May when they went into Bde. & then a few days later Div. reserve where they remained past the 16th. June 1917 when your man returned to the UK.
He may well have been wounded but 4/6 weeks seems a long time from arriving at a CCS to evacuation but not impossible.