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royal defence corps

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dianne

dianne Report 14 Apr 2013 21:23

does anyone know why the royal defecnce corps would put up a headstone of an ex soldier who was a miner when he died in january of 1917, when the royal defence corps was not established until august of 1917???? i am baffled and need help,thanks

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 14 Apr 2013 21:30

Hi Dianne - you appear to have hit "submit" twice - can you delete the surplus posting please

Researching:
Breakspears of Berkshire and Cardiff, Williams and Harman of Whitchurch, Melingriffith &Tongwynlais,Glamorgan WE HAVE NO CONNECTION Do not share your tree with me

KittytheLearnerCook

KittytheLearnerCook Report 14 Apr 2013 21:32

Googled to find this "The Royal Defence Corps was formed in August 1917 from the Home Service Garrison Battalions of 18 Regiments. It was made up of old soldiers who were beyond the age set for combatant service, or those who were not fit for duty overseas, sometimes as the result of wounds received on active service. The Corps was similar in some ways to the Home Guard of the Second World War. Its job was to guard railways, tunnels, roads and ports, thus relieving other troops for front line service.

Maybe the man who died had served in one of the regiments that later made up the RDC and they erected his headstone at the end of WW1??

Not a lot of help am I :-(

Researching:
Brockhurst Newman Pelham Parsons West Sussex Birth information for Thomas Parsons born in Cork 1818 mother Mary father ?Charles

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 14 Apr 2013 21:33

maybe he was in either the Home Guard or the Volunteer Defence Corps and when the Royal Defence Corps came into being, they put up the names of people who died before their formation if they had not had any prior recognition?

Researching:
Breakspears of Berkshire and Cardiff, Williams and Harman of Whitchurch, Melingriffith &Tongwynlais,Glamorgan WE HAVE NO CONNECTION Do not share your tree with me

PatinCyprus

PatinCyprus Report 14 Apr 2013 22:03

These are just my thoughts having read a little about the Royal Defence Corps.

Although the Royal Defence Corps wasn't established until August 1917 the Corps was converted from 18 battalions to defend UK and not to serve overseas. Similar to the Home Guard of WW2, they were elderly or unfit for active service.

You have to wait for a while after a person is buried to put up a gravestone.

The soldier was very likely from one of the battalions converted into the Royal Defence Corps. By the time of the headstone being placed at the grave it would be by the Royal Defense Corps.

Researching:
Lloyd,Paddock,Cooper,Morris,Rigby West Midlands Salop Worc

AnnCardiff

AnnCardiff Report 14 Apr 2013 22:05

think I was implying the same as you Kitty :-)

Researching:
Breakspears of Berkshire and Cardiff, Williams and Harman of Whitchurch, Melingriffith &Tongwynlais,Glamorgan WE HAVE NO CONNECTION Do not share your tree with me