WW1 Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment 7th Btn R E Jones

[Jonestree]

Hello - I would be very grateful for some help with information about my granddad Robert Ernest Jones - Service No. 22995 WW1 King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment 7th Battalion (WIA). I found a medal in a drawer at home and have found out these details because they were inscribed around the edge and now would like to find out more information. I know he was injured during the war and he only had one arm and I have been trying to find out how, when and where this happened. I know he suffered a lot with ill health throughout his life. He was born in Camberwell, London in 1898 and died December 1966. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

[MaxD]

His records, a bit damaged in the WW2 bombing, are on Findmypast at https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM/WO363-4/007408552/00963&parentid=GBM/WO363-4/7408552/39/963

They are also on Ancestry.https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=MvA2935&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&indiv=1&db=britisharmyservice&gsfn=Robert%20Ernest&gsln=Jones&cp=0&qh=fxJ1t5/3BPqiTwMLn3%2Bcsw%3D%3D&new=1&rank=1&redir=false&uidh=6x5&gss=angs-d&pcat=39&fh=4&h=1052496&recoff=&ml_rpos=5

Headlines, volunteered 1915, served in France  with 7th Battalion KORL July 1916 to July 1918.  Wounded on 8 July, left arm amputated is recorded.  Received a Silver War Badge because of his disability leading to discharge.  British War and Victory medals , you have one of those.


MaxD

[Jonestree]

Thank you so much for the information.  It is really appreciated.

Kind regards

Jill

[MaxD]

Slight amendment.  His service in France was up to 8 February 1918 with 7th Battalion.  This battalion was disbanded on 8 Feb and he was among 6 officers and 194 men who were transferred to 1/4th Battalion, it was with this battalion he was wounded on a day the war diary records as a "quiet day, nothing to report" - this on a day when 3 men were killed and 11 wounded.  He was in the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley Southampton in August 1918.  His record doesn't say when his arm was amputated.

MaxD

[jim1]

This incident.
Square A15 on this map. Look for Gunner siding just below Givenchy.
The blue trenches are British & the Germans red:
https://maps.nls.uk/view/101464735

[MaxD]

The apparent discrepancy between the casualty figures given by the brigade diary that jim1 cites and the battalion diary is quite normal.  It all depends on when exactly reports were made and when they were recorded.  The battalion diary recorded day by day casualties but not until the end of the month.
Whatever, it is pretty certain that your grandad was wounded on that day and at the place jim1 has pinpointed.

MaxD

[Jonestree]

Thank you so very, very much MaxD and Jim1 - I am so happy I have found this out.  You are both amazing.  Many, many thanks

Jill

[Jonestree]

Hi again

I have just amazingly and happily found this photo of my Granddad which I thought I would add to this.  He is sitting in the second row 1st from the right of the photo (not the 1st man sitting crossed legged on the floor).  My brother in law thinks it was taken in England before they went to France (because of the barracks and they look very smart!).

Thank you again for your information.  I can add this to my family history and it is much appreciated.

Jill

[jim1]

Sad to think that some of these lads never made it back.
Some of these chaps are wearing the economy tunic (1916) others like your man are wearing the standard 1908 pattern. This tells you that this was taken in 1916 & as you say prior to embarkation.