Military Chat

Trying to find information on
Harry Jones b Birmingham 1892/3
we have a army number of 1434
rank private
That is all I know
Please can anyone help?
thank you

Hi, this is from the WW1 medal cards,


Name: Harry Jones
Regiment or Corps: 16th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Worcestershire Regiment
Regimental Number: 1434, 66949

Had a good look for either a service record or pension record, sadly it looks possible that his was one of the 70% or so that we're destroyed in WW2.

Sorry I can't offer any information on your Harry Jones as such, but some background info regarding his regiment's involvement in WW1 may help you in assembling a 'timeline' for him which can be a very useful exercise if you can't get hold of his Service Record.
In other words, although you may not find the exact information you want, on attestation forms etc, it is possible to find out where he was likely to be and what he was doing by following his Battalion.

According to 'Ask Jeeves' and Wikipedia....

The Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the First World War .

During the First World War The Royal Warwickshire Regiment raised 30 battalions. Three of these, 14th, 15th and 16th (Service) Battalions, were raised in September 1914 from men volunteering in Birmingham. These units were additionally entitled 1st, 2nd and 3rd City of Birmingham Battalions, and were known as The Birmingham Pals.
The Regiment gained 80 Battle Honours. During 1914 battalions were present at Le Cateau, the Retreat from Mons, Nery, the Marne, the Aisne, Armentieres, Ypres, Langemarck, Gheluvelt and Neuve Chapelle.
The following year opened with 2nd Ypres followed by St Julien, Frezenberg, Aubers, Festubert, Bellwarde and Loos.
During 1916 battalions were at Mount Sorrel, the Somme, Albert Canal, Bazentin, Delville Wood and a number of other engagements including Thiepval.
The big battles of 1917 saw battalions in action at Arras, Vimy, 3rd Ypres, Menin Road, Passchendaele and Cambrai.
There has for some years been a museum dedicated to the regiment which is currently located in St John's House Museum, Warwick.

This site is useful for background info, known as 1914-1918 or The Long, Long Trail it is at www.1914-1918.net

Here's what they say about your Harry Jones' Battalion.....

16th (Service) Battalion (3rd Birmingham), one of the Battalions of the New Armies *.
Formed at Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee.
26 June 1915 : came under command of 95th Brigade, 32nd Division.
Landed at Boulogne 21 November 1915.
26 December 1915 : transferred to 15th Brigade, 5th Division.
Moved to Italy with the Division in November 1917 but returned to France April 1918.
4 October 1918: transferred to 13th Brigade in same Division.


*Kitchener’s New Armies.
Kitchener decided to expand the regular army by raising a new component composed of wartime volunteers. Each man would sign up for new "general service" terms of three years or the duration of the war (whichever the longer) and would agree to being sent to serve anywhere the army needed them. On 6 August 1914 Parliament sanctioned an increase of 500,000 men of all ranks.

Susan
DId Harry Jones survive the war?

Hello
Thanks for all the help.
Yes Harry survived although he lost an eye.
Regards
Susan