Why the Gordon Highlanders?

[paulsue38]

My Grandfather William Thomas Evans b Liverpool 1886 apparently served in WW1 with the Gordon Highlanders. He was  private 9273  1st Battalion. He lost his arm in conflict and eventually died in Liverpool in 1931. The information came from the regiment museum. My question is why was he in this regiment? Was this part of the Liverpool Scottish regiment?
Best wishes
Paul

[sonofthom]

My grandfather was from Argyll yet served in the 10th Battalion of the Black Watch , which was raised in Perth. My guess is that he enlisted in the Argylls but was transferred to the Black watch to make up numbers after suffering heavy casualties. Apparently this was quite common in WW1 and often lead to soldiers serving in unlikely regiments.

[jim1]

William attested Jan. 1st. 1904. So do you know where he was living at that time?
It's also worth remembering that Regiments had traditional recruiting grounds outside of their County.

[KGarrad]

I lost 2 relatives in WW1 - both were from Somerset.

Stanley Claude Garrad was in the 3rd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment when he died at Arras.

Reginald Arthur Crocker was in the 13 Bn. Welsh Regiment when he died at Cambrai.

Soldiers were often moved, or enlisted, in unfamiliar regiments to make up losses.

[paulsue38]

William attested Jan. 1st. 1904. So do you know where he was living at that time?
It's also worth remembering that Regiments had traditional recruiting grounds outside of their County.

Thanks for the information I didn't know this. Where does this information come from? He lived in Liverpool all his life. In the 1901 census he is listed as a joiner at 16.  It is possible that in 1903 who was a joiner in the Royal Navy?  By the 1911 census he is listed as a Ships Steward as is his father Thomas. In the 1911 census he is living at 190 Breck Road Liverpool. He died on 26th May 1931 at 16 Nansen Grove, Walton Liverpool.
Is it possible that he was in the Territorial Army?
Thanks for you help.
Paul

[jim1]

His enlistment came from the Silver War Badge records on Ancestry:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01nyw/
He wasn't TF. He would have joined a local Regt. in Liverpool as he would have had to attended regular training sessions if he was.
A common route was to join for 6 under the Colours & 6 on reserve.
So joining in 1904 he would have been out by 1910. Being on reserve would have meant he could be recalled at any time during that 6 year period.
Up to early 1916 & 12 year man was considered "time served" & had the right to a discharged irrespective of war.
When conscription was brought in that year the law was changed so that men like him could be retained for the duration. Unfortunately it cost him an arm.

[paulsue38]

His enlistment came from the Silver War Badge records on Ancestry:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01nyw/
He wasn't TF. He would have joined a local Regt. in Liverpool as he would have had to attended regular training sessions if he was.
A common route was to join for 6 under the Colours & 6 on reserve.
So joining in 1904 he would have been out by 1910. Being on reserve would have meant he could be recalled at any time during that 6 year period.
Up to early 1916 & 12 year man was considered "time served" & had the right to a discharged irrespective of war.
When conscription was brought in that year the law was changed so that men like him could be retained for the duration. Unfortunately it cost him an arm.

Thank you so much that really helps. It now makes so much sense. He eventually becomes a lift attendant in a Liverpool Bank possibly Martins. I did get his medal record from National Archives but could not fully understand it. I tried to upload it on here but the file size was too high.
Best wishes
Paul

[jim1]

I take it you mean this one.

[jim1]

Forgot to add he received the 14 Star + Clasp & Roses for entering a theatre of war during that year & the qualifying date is at the bottom.
This marked him out as a "Mons man" or an Old Contemptable as they liked to be called.
His other 2 are the British War & Victory Medals.
Also listed is his SWB.