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Royal Warwickshire Regiment

ColinB

ColinB

gone but not forgotten
I often borrow images from off *-bay,it can be a source of information for many things.This postcard was on sale a couple of weeks ago ,I now see it sold for £160,I intended to research this soldier further,him being a local lad

The description for it said:-

A postcard sent to the German Authorities in 1916 requesting any information they may have about Pte A E Thompson, 1621 Royal Warwick Regiment who had been missing since July 1916 & bearing a photograph of him. The card was given an enquiry number (54329) on receipt by the German Administration but was returned stamped 'Nicht ermittelt' (Not established), not surprising in that the date he went missing was 1st July 1916, the first day of the Somme offensive when many thousands were lost. Quite a poignant document but probably sadly not rare at the time


Colin
 
I didn't see that one Colin......I do think that ebay is a good source for obtaining one way or other items of local interest......I brought a school leavers certificate 1901 off there last week....but still unable to make out the surname......Postie (bluejim) is a busy ebayer....and another collector of brummie items is bluenose....I am not too sure who he is.....plus Mac Joseph who sells quite a few books on birmingham....you can pick up some good bargains on there.....but do your research first.....example....what is the shop price....what is the sellers rating/feedback.....you cannot go wrong if you use your common sense.
 
Found him on CWGC,at least he was identified.

Name: THOMPSON, ALBERT EDWARD
Initials: A E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Unit Text: 1st/8th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 305796
Additional information: Son of Albert J. and Minnie S. Thompson, of 48, Auckland Rd., Sparkbrook, late of 26, Gower St., Lozells, Birmingham.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 9 A 9 B and 10 B.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

looks like he served with the same battallion as my grandfather,the 1/8th RWR,although ,my grandfather had been wounded in the May and had returned to England by the time Albert was killed.

Wonder if Terry can add any more details


Colin
 
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RWR Missing PC

Hi Colin B

I also kept a watch on the 'Missing in Action' postcard, sent to Germany via the Red Cross, by the parents of Pte Albert Edward Thompson of the 1/8 Warwicks. A few men of the 1/8 and 1/6 Royal Warwicks who survived the attack on 1st July, 1916, and were stranded in the German trenches became Prisoners of War. Nearly 250 officers and men ofthe 1/8 Royal Warwicks were killed during the attack and the majority were classed as 'Missing in Action' for at least a year, giving parents and loved ones the faintest hope that their particular son maybe wounded in hospital and unidentified or a prisoner of war in German hands. Parents also used to wait at Snow Hill Station and hand out leaflets to soldiers returning home on leave hoping to gain the slightest bit of info. After July 1916, the Birmingham Weekly Post started a weekly 'Missing Soldiers' column where loved ones asked for information about men who were posted as missing.

Regards

Terry
 
missing

Hi Colin

Just to clear up why Pte A E Thompson has a service of 1621 on the postcard sent to Germany and the number given by the CWGC Thiepval Memorial i.e. 305796.

The four figure number is his original army number when joining the 1/8 Royal Warwicks (Territorials). Around March 1917 the Territorial Army changed their numbering system to a six figure number, and all men serving in territorial battalions had their army number changed. Even though Pte A E Thompson was killed on 1 Juy 1916, he was still classed as 'Missing in action' thus was issued with a new number. It was not until around July 1917 when he was officially classed as 'Killed in Action'.

Terry
 
thomas moran Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Hi

Anybody out there.

Just downloaded what I beleive is my
grandads army cards.
I no there are experts out there..
Could anybody de-code this for me.

Mike Jenks
 
Looks like he was entitle to two medals, the Victory and the British,
The SWB he was discharged.

Cromwell and Terry will probably tell you more
 
not much information for Thomas 5627,he was entitled to the Victory and British War Medals,and the Silver War badge which indicates he was invalided out following a medical downgrade due to wounding or sickness.
Terry may be able to add more.

Colin

you beat me to it brummie nick
 
Last edited:
Thomas Moran

Hi

Speaking to Mom (90) she can recall he
was invalided out with an Injury.
seems as if I on the right trail.
Again searching without a scrap of paper
but thats the way.
Thanks a lot

mike jenks
 
Only one card to Private Thomas Moran 5627
Got Victory Medal and War Medal

so the one above with wound badge is Cpl Thomas Moran 4287
 
Thomas Moran

hi

Yes Cromwell the date he married my Grandmother
is recorded june 1915 6d 1203.
The book reference is normally 3 months after the event.
The date of Enlistment on 4287 Cpl Thomas Moran
is the 6-2-1915. Their would have been recorded in the
APR MAY June Qtr.

Thanks Cromwell

Mike Jenks
 
looks like he served with the same battallion as my grandfather,the 1/8th RWR,although ,my grandfather had been wounded in the May and had returned to England by the time Albert was killed.
Click to expand...

My greatgrandfather served with the 1/8 RWR. He was actually discharged from service on the 1/7/16, the day the Battle of the Somme began.

View attachment 22853


My greatgrandfathers service record.
 
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