23rd Machine gun Corps, WW1

[tejjy]

My grandfather started WW1 in the 15/19 Hussars (his cousin had been in it some 30 years previously) but ended it in the 23rd Machine Gun Corps of the 1st Indian Mounted Brigade.

I can't find any mention of this kind of transfer in the 15/19 Hussars regimental history that I have & I can't find any details online (I'm physically in Australia). I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of any online materials/resources, or perhaps published works of military history that might shed some light on what was happening?

He never spoke much about his war service; his children were unaware of anything other than the Hussars. All I have for him really is his demob records & the std issue medals.

Thanks in anticipation

[ShaunJ]

Searching the medal rolls and index cards for someone who served in both 15/19 Hussars and the Machine Gun Corps, the only one that came up was a Charles Silcox. Is that him? If so there is more information available on his military career.

[tejjy]

Thanks for that - I appreciate it. Unfortunately, that's not him. I found a machine gun corps enthusiast/researcher & according to them, Albert's records are among the very substantial amount of MG records that were lost/destroyed. So it's a trail gone cold.

Of interest was the information that he was probably in the UK on leave/convalesence when he got drafted to the 23rd. Apparently that was the usual way...

[ALAMO2008]

What was his name and what Date was he Demobbed?

[tejjy]

Albert Edward Todd Webb

demobbed - 15/!2/1919

Cheers...it's defeated me so far :-)
He was very reticent about his life; even his wife knew virtually nothing & his children (one of whom is my father) nothing at all.

[ShaunJ]

Regimental service numbers 18309 and 100806

[ShaunJ]

My grandfather started WW1 in the 15/19 Hussars

15th Hussars didn't merge with 19th Hussars until 1922.

This is why I could only find WW1 medal records for one soldier who served in both 15/19 Hussars and the MGC. He'd joined 15/19 Hussars after the war.

Your man was with 15th Hussars, presumably in a machine gun section, before transferring (along with other Hussar machine gunners) to the MGC (Cavalry) when it was formed in February 1916.

[ALAMO2008]

[tejjy]

Thanks Shaun & Alamo, that's great stuff.I didn't realise the merger of the 15th & 19th was so late. The medal card is a real bonus.  I appreciate your help!