6 I.B.D

[leka]

Hi
On the medical record for one of my family it has the following: "joined 6 I.B.D posted to 16 Welsh at Rouen 24 May 1917". could anyone tell me what 6 I.B.D stands for.

many thanks and a Happy New Year to all
leka

[AlanBoyd]

According to:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/records/abbreviations-in-world-war-one-medal-index-cards-unit.pdf

I.B.D.A.I.F. is Infantry Base Depot Australian Imperial Force

so maybe Infantry Base Depot?

[JohninSussex]

You usually get points deducted for guessing.  "Joined I.B.D." obviously makes it a unit and a "depot" is a place.   More likely something Division?

[heywood]

I would go for Depot based on this - can we have points restored?

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/other-aspects-of-order-of-battle/infantry-base-depots-in-france-1914-1918/

6 - Rouen

[MaxD]

Perhaps JohninSussex should acknowledge the deduction of points from his score?

MaxD

[AlanBoyd]

Here is an entire thesis on the role of IBDs in replacing casualties:

http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/6775/1/Hine16PhD.pdf

and here is a letter from Ford Maddox Ford written from IX Welch No. 6 I. B. D. Rouen:

https://books.google.com/books/about/War_Prose.html?id=3rFuBgAAQBAJ

...points mean prizes

[leka]

Thank you all for your help very much appreciated, especially AlanBoyd & Heywood for the links.
leka

[JohninSussex]

Perhaps JohninSussex should acknowledge the deduction of points from his score?
MaxD

Yes that is fair.  The situation moved from a guess to very compelling evidence. As the source says, "The abbreviation IBD appears in virtually every infantryman’s service record, yet little is documented about them. This section of the Long, Long Trail will help anyone trying to find out more."