• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Why was a brummie serving in EYR?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mand
  • Start date Start date
M

mand

Guest
Hi,

I'm trying to find out about Harold Ernest Collinton.

He was born in Aston and lived in Jardine Road after the war with my gggrandparents George and Harriet Hinton (nee Collinton)

He was in the East Yorkshire Regiment, his number was 29922 PTE

I seem to be drawing a blank - i can't find any medal records or pension records for him.

This man is most elusive - I have found he was born in Aston 1891, but can't find him on the census'. He is on the elctrol register in 1920.

But why was a lad from Aston serving in the East Yorks Regiment??

Anyone got any info?
 
Mand

I have checked the B'ham Absent Voters List for 1918 and Harold Ernest Collinton was living at 36 Jardine Road. However it states that he was serving in the 1st Garrison Battalion the West Yorkshire Regiment. Service number 204135. However, his six figure service number is from a block of numbers issued to the 5th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Territorial Force) in February 1917. A Garrison Battalion served in the UK and was usually made up of men who were not fit enough to serve on active service. I have checked the Medal Index cards for this new number but have had no luck. Which may mean he never went overseas but served only in the UK.

Regards

Terry
 
i have found the family on both censuses 1891 and 1901 on ancestry.
in 1891 they are listed as
john collinton age 35 wife listed as cole but actually sarah 35 and alice age 5. harold wasnt born till later that year. they are listed as born in birmingham but now in kingston upon hull yorkshire.
in 1901 john collington 45 alice 15 and ernest 9. must have used his middle name. still in yorkshire and sarah has now died.

hope this helps you out. chris
 
Thank you both,

Chris - this would explain why a brummie lad was in a yorkshire regiment - thank you. I wonder if after him mum died he went to live with his Dad's sister back in Birmingham - 1 question answered and another 10 appear!

Terry - thanks for the info thats great, not sure what medal Harold had as haven't seen it for ages, but ifhe had a medal from anywhere, even if he didn't go overseas wouldn't he have had a medal card?

Mand
 
Hi Terry,

Just noticed you have put West Yorkshire Regiment and medal definately says EYR - did people swop about much? or where mistakes made on the medals with producing so many?

Mand
 
Hi Mand

The 1918 Absent Voters list gave the West Yorkshire Regt., and like I said the 204135 service number is from a block issued to the West Yorkshire Regt. Having checked again, I also found that the East Yorkshire Regt used a similar block of numbers. Thus, whoever supplied the details for the Absent Voters book of 1918 may have made a mistake.
Which medal do you have?

Regards

Terry
 
Hi Terry,

Unfortunately, i'm not sure what the medal was, just tried to find out from the person who has it and have been told its a gold/brass colour, but thats all i've got apart from the inscription.

Mand
 
Hello again Mand

As the Absent Voters states he was serving with the 1st Garrison Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment.... but more than likely due to the medal inscription, the 1st Garrison Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. This is a brief history of that battalion.

1st Garrison Battalion:
Formed in Sheffield in October 1915. Moved to Lichfield in November 1915 and in February 1916 went to India. Joined Allahabad Brigade in 8th (Lucknow) Division. Moved to Lucknow Brigade in same Division in March 1918.

(The 1st Garrison Bn of the West Yorks spent the entire period of WW1 in Malta.)

Men who served in these battalions instead of serving in a theatre of War only received one medal, The British War Medal.

Terry
 
Last edited:
Thanks Terry,

You have shed some light on my man of mystery!

A couple of months ago, I didn't even know he existed, I thought the 2 medals that my nan had kept both belonged to my great grandfather, it was only when my son started to do a project earlier this year on WW1 and visited the Somme, that I told him about the medals and when my aunt looked at them we found a different name on the one.

Thanks again for the insight.

Regards

Mand x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top