Military Chat

My Great Uncle born and enlisted in CHELTENHAM, He was a gunner and was killed in Action on 23/09/1917, France & Flanders.


any info on 88th Battallion R.G.A would be appreciated.

Have you googled it? Also, the National Archives may have the War Diaries.

How do you know he was KIA - I don't know the UK figures, but just over one third of Canadian deaths in France & Belgium were not KJA.
The other causes were MIA but not confirmed as KIA, just presumed dead; died of wounds; died of disease or injury, killed in accidents, etc.

88th batt RGA would be 88th Battery RGA (alt 88th Battery Siege Artillery).
The basic artillery unit is a battery, not a battalion - they were probably equipped with 6" howitzers (or heavier guns).

????

Is this your great uncle?

GRIFFITHS, H W

Rank:Gunner
Service No:61344
Date of Death:23/09/1917
Age:22
Regiment/Service:Royal Garrison Artillery 88th Siege Bty.
Grave Reference
IV. F. 10.
Cemetery
BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION

Additional Information:
Son of Agnes Griffiths, of 43, Jersey St., Cheltenham.


His service record is on Ancestry, if so:

British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920

Name: Henry Walter Griffiths
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1895
Age at enlistment: 20
Residence: 17 Sherborne Street, Cheltenham
Document Year: 1915
Regimental Number: 61344
Regiment Name: RGA
Number of Images: 14

A W. G. Griffiths signed for Henry's (Victory and British War) medals.

A Private W G Griffiths of 21 Columba St, Cheltenham had the personal effects of Gunner H W Griffiths 61344, 88 Siege Baty R G A, sent to him; Photos, metal watch (damaged) with [illegible] and protector, belt buckle (German) pocket case, silk card, cig holder (In case) cig case, badge.

On HWG's service record his next of kin is given as father, Walter George Griffiths of 17 Sherbourne St.

If I'm reading the record right, HWG embarked from Southampton 20.5.16 to join the B E F (British Expeditionary Force) in France, and disembarked 21.5.16 at what looks like Rouen, having enlisted 1st Nov 1915 at Cheltenham.

Same man:

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about Henry Walter Griffiths

Name: Henry Walter Griffiths
Birth Place: Cheltenham<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Death Date: 23 Sep 1917
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Cheltenham
Rank: Gunner
Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery
Number: 61344
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

Names reversed on birth record?

Births Sep 1895 Griffiths Walter Henry Cheltenham 6a 436

EDIT: Seems to be known as Harry Griffith in census 1901. In 1901 parents are Walter George Griffith, and Agnes Griffith.

In 1911 the family are at 17 Sherborne St Cheltenham, the same address as on his enlistment papers. Father 'George' and mother Agnes Griffiths, and WHG is 'Harry' Griffiths