Medical records

[daviesnc]

Hi,

First-time poster, but here goes. I am trying to find details about injuries sustained by my Grandfather in WW1. He was in the RAMC / 3rd London Field Ambulance.

He lost a foot, and an eye, and was treated in the UK (amputation due gangrene). Any ideas ? I live close to The national Archive but have not had any luck there.

[SmallTownGirl]

Welcome to RootsChat!

What was your grandfather's name and service number, please?

STG

[MaxD]

If his name and number don't produce results, a route would be to look at the war diaries.  Smaller units like field ambulances often recorded the names of their own wounded.

1/3rd was also known as 85 FA.  Two diaries at Kew:
Jan - Oct 1915
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353507

Remainder of the war https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4558063

MaxD

[daviesnc]

Hi, thanks for quick replies MaxD and STG.

My grandfather's details
 - Name: John Ewart Davies (searched under J.E.Davies), seconds name mis-spelt as Eward).
 - Rank - corporal
 - RAMC/3rd London Field Ambulance (thanks for the tip about alternative name for his unit btw)
 - Service No512218
 - Discharged: 26/4/1919

[MaxD]

A bit of a tangled web.

First - his service documents do not show up which indicates they were among the 60% or so of Great War records lost to bombing in WW2.  These would not have given detail though but may have at least given dates to work on.

Second - he has a Silver War Badge record (his discharge was 26 April 1918 not 1919) which would fit with a disability such as you describe.

Third - only a representative proportion of Great War medical records were retained and he doesn't show up there.  Explained here:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10949

Fourth - his medal records possibly need a bit more work.
The Silver War Badge for 512218 has the name Cpl John Ernest Davies of 3rd London FA.  The record says he joined on 7 Sep 1914.
There is no medal card for 512218 (the number is a post 1917 renumbering for 3rd London FA).
There is a medal card for 286 Corporal J E Davies discharged on 26 April 1918 (agrees with Silver War Badge) and who went to France on 24 Dec 1914 (Happy Christmas).  The 1914/1915 Star roll has JE Davies, the British War and Victory roll has John Ewart Davies and are both for 286 Davies.  The 1914/1915 Star roll has the 26 April 1918 discharge date.

I would venture to suggest that your man was 286 Davies, renumbered to 512218 in 1917 with a variety of mis-spellings along the way.

Slight problem is that 85 Field Ambulance didn't go to France until mid January 1915 so the Dec 1914 date looks anomalous - needs more work.

As there will be no medical or service record to refer to, I would repeat my thought that the war diary may hold an answer.  Only the first, covering Jan 1915 to Nov 1915 is on Ancestry at:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/60779/43112_2272_6-00000?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=43112_2272_6-00003

It would though be the latter diary that would cover his wounding.  The division went to Salonika in November 1915 and (we have to assume he went with them) their diary has not been digitised.  You need to visit Kew or have it copied)

One ray of sunshine.  There is a pension record for him 512218 John Ewart Davies of Wrexham born 1892.  This is on Ancestry under the additional subscription area Fold3 to which I don't have access:
https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=61588&h=1502930075&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=MvA6435&_phstart=successSource

That may hold other clues but as it deals with post war events, detail of how and where he was wounded is unlikely to appear.

Hope that helps?

MaxD

[Tickettyboo]

I've just looked at the pension record index card .

Very little info on it and, as Max surmised, nothing about his treatment
Davies John Ewart, Cpl 512218 R.A.M.C.
date of discharge 26.4.18
year of birth 1892, marital status Single
Address 18 Regent Street, Wrexham
Disabilities Amputation Rt Leg below knee - due to Service
date of commencement of pension  27.4.18

Boo

[MaxD]

Thanks Boo.

A visit to Kew I think for an in depth read of the war diary.  Do let us know how you get on!

MaxD

[jim1]

Butting in after all of this excellent information seems a bit pushy but it
may be worth noting that your man would have received his injuries
sometime in 1917.
He would have gone through the medical chain prior to his return to the UK
for rehabilitation before being discharged.
This is what his Division (28th.) were up to in 1917. This from the LLT:
1917
15 May 1917: the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum’a)
16 October 1917: the capture of Barakli and Kumli

[daviesnc]

Thanks all for the good kick-start. I don't have a reader's card yet, but will get one asap and have a nose around.

@ MaxD - Ref the silver star. I can see that the name on the record in john Ernest, but the record within clearly shows John Ewart. confusing ! - you are right about the discharge date.


https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/2456/wo329_3232-00029/826193

Again, thanks to all for the help.