Hi folks.
I am trying to trace this man's Army career in the DLI and subsequently the Devonshires.
I have notes that state he was born in Poona, India, his father being in 2DLI and allegedly enlisted in 2DLI as 6841 Bugler Ord B. after they returned to the UK.
The date given is 1898, when he would have been 10 years old!!
Served in South Africa 1900-02 awarded Boer War "South Africa1902" and "Cape Colony", then returned to India.
In 1906 he entered man's service joining the 4th Batt. Devonshire Regiment with Army No 8102, returning sometime before WW1.
He was awarded Mons Star with Rosette.
He was supposedly promoted to become the youngest RSM in the Army.
A field commission to captain followed in 1916.
Severely wounded at the Battle of the Somme and posted home to hospital.
In 1917 on recovery he was seconded to the Machine Gun Corps and saw more action in France, before returning to the Devonshires and off to Mesopotamia.
He was awarded an MBE in 1919 and was retired o the Reserve of officers as substantive captain.
In 1939 he volunteered and was posted to the RE and the Railway Training Battalion in Derby as a major.
In 1941 he was posted as a half colonel to Gareloch as commandant of the Military Port.
In 1943 he was sent back to play with trains again in Petersfield, Hants as commandant.
In 1946, he was invalided out after an operation on his gallstones as substantive Lieutenant Colonel.
If true this is one hell of a life!!!
I can find no Army docs on Ancestry to substantiate any of this, apart from his Birth, Marriage and Death!!
There are numerous docs concerning his father, a Sergeant in the 2 DLI.
Thank you and Best wishes