Sapper Arthur Johnson 137571

[Neon_strobelight]

Hi, I have found out that my Great Great Uncle, Arthur Johnson, was a soldier in the Great War. His roll number was 137571. I am not an expert in reading military records, would anyone be kind enough to assist?

[Andy J2022]

You are in luck. His service record has survived and can be found on FindMyPast. Prior to transferring to the Royal Engineers he was in the Notts and Derby Regiment with the number 18641, then the Cheshire Regiment with the number 28414. He went to France on 15 September 1915 and received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

[jim1]

I've seen 100's of service records but never seen a man attesting twice.(apart from TF men)
Attested first in the Notts & Derby Regt. but didn't go overseas with them after training.
Posted to the 3rd. Btn. for 7 months & then the 2nd. Btn. for 3 weeks &
back to the 3rd.
5 days later (14/7/15) he's posted to the 1st. Btn. & sent to France.
Now the curious part on 8/10/15 he's discharged under para. 155 of the Special
Reserve Regulations.
On 19/10/15 he attests again into the RE while still in France.
On this he states under previous service he had been in the  Notts & Derbys
& 10 months in the 1st. Btn. Cheshire Regt.
The questions that remain are why he was discharged under the SR Regs. when he was
never in the SR. & why is his transfer to the Cheshires not on his record.
Need a closer look I think.
His time in the RE is pretty straight forward.
9/10/15 Attests into the 179th. Tunnelling Coy.
3/11/17 transferred to the RE Depot (Depots normally on the French coast)
13/6/18 posted to 171st. Tunnelling Coy. from 29 RE Base Depot.

[mmm45]

He has those specialist skills as a miner and at that time they were expanding the Tunnelling Coys  so suspect that has something to do with the sudden move to the RE

179 TC was formed  Oct 15 so that ties in nicely

[Neon_strobelight]

Thank you, very interesting. A little more research to do now though.