Author Topic: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith  (Read 4003 times)

Offline jonw65

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #18 on: Tuesday 13 November 18 18:01 GMT (UK) »
This might be better in the WW1 section of Armed Forces, to catch the real experts.

Ouch!

Offline Ruskie

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #19 on: Tuesday 13 November 18 23:35 GMT (UK) »
Thank you very much to everyone for their valuable contributions. I note that Sarah has kindly split this from Rosemary's thread (thank you Sarah).

This might be better in the WW1 section of Armed Forces, to catch the real experts.

Ouch!

I think what Ainslie means is that if this was posted on the Armed Forces board, it might catch the eye of a larger number of experts.  ;) ;D

I will ask Sarah (very nicely) if she would be kind enough to move it for me.

Jonw, I am impressed that you managed to locate the right William at 80 Lovat St!  :)

I have found the photo I have of William in uniform, which may be related to his marriage as he is with his wife who is wearing a wedding band, and I think I can make out one on his finger too. He has two chevrons (with points facing up to the elbow) on his lower left sleeve but no other visible identifying badges or insignias. His right arm is hidden behind his wife. Definition on photo is not good and much of the dark uniform is in shadow.

This search was inspired by my OH and myself seeing the documentary "They Shall Not Grow Old" on Sunday. I realised that though we have this photo of my OH's grandfather hanging on our wall, we know nothing of his role in WW1 which I have always felt a bit sad about.


Offline Ruskie

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #20 on: Wednesday 14 November 18 03:11 GMT (UK) »
I have tried researching the chevrons and some say they relate to years of service. As my William has two, does that rule him in or out to be William Wright 1512?  :-\

As William 1512 was discharged in 1916, would it be feasible, or permissible, for him to continue wearing or to marry in uniform in 1918 if this is a wedding photo?

[Obviously trying to decide which of these chaps might be my William].

Offline Mvann

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #21 on: Wednesday 14 November 18 08:12 GMT (UK) »
From research I've done on my family, some of mine have more than 1 army number


Offline Jebber

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #22 on: Wednesday 14 November 18 09:18 GMT (UK) »
He would not have been able to wear uniform after discharge, perhaps  if you post the photo it may provide more clues.
CHOULES All ,  COKER Harwich Essex & Rochester Kent 
COLE Gt. Oakley, & Lt. Oakley, Essex.
DUNCAN Kent
EVERITT Colchester,  Dovercourt & Harwich Essex
GULLIVER/GULLOFER Fifehead Magdalen Dorset
HORSCROFT Kent.
KING Sturminster Newton, Dorset. MONK Odiham Ham.
SCOTT Wrabness, Essex
WILKINS Stour Provost, Dorset.
WICKHAM All in North Essex.
WICKHAM Medway Towns, Kent from 1880
WICKHAM, Ipswich, Suffolk.

Offline Ruskie

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #23 on: Wednesday 14 November 18 12:26 GMT (UK) »
Mvann that did cross my mind, but as this is such a common name I wasn't sure what to think.  :-\

He would not have been able to wear uniform after discharge, perhaps  if you post the photo it may provide more clues.

Yes Jebber, I did think that might be the best idea but I was trying to avoid doing so as I think I might struggle. (I'm not very techy) I will give it a shot, but there might be bit of a wait till I can get some help from family.

Not being able to wear the uniform after discharge seems to rule out William 1512.


Offline ainslie

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #24 on: Wednesday 14 November 18 12:48 GMT (UK) »
What I meant was that I had reached my own limits.
A

Offline jonw65

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #25 on: Wednesday 14 November 18 13:35 GMT (UK) »
A, you are right of course. Ruskie really needs Max, Jim, etc., to take a look at this.
They may at least be able to do some eliminating! The photo may help.
John


Offline MaxD

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Re: WW1 RFA Shoeing Smith
« Reply #26 on: Wednesday 14 November 18 15:18 GMT (UK) »
Did I hear a call?  Looking at 1512.

Two inverted chevrons lower sleeve indicates 6 years plus of good conduct so if during wartime, must indicate pre-war service.  If a Corporal (a RA rank at that time not now)  he should have two rank stripes also.  Any sign on the photo? 

1/1 West Riding Brigade RFA (proper title) was a pre war Territorial Force artillery brigade that took folk from Leeds and Bramley if that adds up?  It became 245 Brigade RFA,  April 1915 on his medakl card fits with the entry to France of the division it supported.

56338 has fewer clues.  Acting Corporal means he may not have got the rank when photographed but he would have had a single one before that, don't know when though.  He has only one number and his medal rolls are not Teritorial Force which implies he may have been serving when the war began.

Thus far it seems a toss-up between the two.

MaxD

I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia