Robert Humm Missing WW1 Alias?

[Battie99]

> Robert Humm was born on 18 MAY 1885 at 7 New Square, Brady Street, Bethnal Green, Middlesex
> Parents Robert Abraham Humm & Mary Jane Wilks
> Robert joined the army in 1902 Reg number 6027: Enlisted to the 7th Queen's Own Hussars aged 16 although his army papers state his age is 19.
> 2 Jan 1909 Transfer to the reserve after 7 years army service.
> 9 Apr 1909 living with his parents at 1 Winchester Crescent, Bethnal Green, London, England, struck off from Army register due to inability to produce certificate of life.

Now, questions:

1. Can anyone find him anywhere after 1909?

I have a note that he is living in Brixton in 1911 as a newsagent but cannot find evidence of such.  Does anyone have access to business directories?

He must have been called up for WW1 service in 1914 as only 29 but where is he?

I'm making a wild guess that as he had already been struck off for lying about his age in previous service there is a possibility he served under a different name.

Also there is a vague possibility the name could have been Jack as I also have a missing Jack Humm, referenced in letters but doesn't exist as a child to Robert and Mary.

Any help greatly appreciated please?

[rosie99]

He must have been called up for WW1 service in 1914 as only 29 but where is he?

Don't forget that a large percentage of WW1 service records were destroyed during WW2

[Battie99]

Indeed, but the medal cards are usually easy enough to find.  Its very strange that he just disappears with no trace, 1911 cencus nothing, marriage nothing, death nothing.  Brick wall :-)

[rosie99]

I understood that if he didn't go abroad there would be no medal card.

Militia attestation dated 28 November 1901 gives age as 18 years 7 months

[Battie99]

At the moment Rosie I'm only guessing but...
My assumption is that in 1902 he would have gone abroad to fight in the boar war and that in1914 he would have gone to Europe, hense me looking for medal cards

But nothing.

[ShaunJ]

My assumption is that in 1902 he would have gone abroad to fight in the boar war

You'll have seen from his army record that he was stationed in South Africa from October 1902 to March 1903. This was after the Boer War had ended, hence  he does not appear in the medal roll.

[whiteout7]

His Boer War and his WW1 service number would not have been the same all the way through.

Did you check this man to make sure he is not your soldier?

*Robert   Humm   38120   Private   1914    King's Liverpool
  Regiment Depot

[jim1]

Robert   Humm   38120   Private   1914    King's Liverpool
  Regiment Depot

A different man unfortunately. He appears on the SWB list as born c.1888.
There's a Robert Humm birth 1889 Salford.
It may be worth mentioning that as he had completed his full service ie. 7 years under the Colours + 5 on reserve he was "time served" & under the Army regulations at that time he couldn't be recalled or made to re-enlist even in times of national emergency.

[rosie99]

Folkestone Express, Sandgate, Shorncliffe & Hythe Advertiser
23 September 1908
Robert Humm Found drunk & incapable