WW1 Bandsman

[PatriciaR]

I am trying to track the service of my grandfather who was in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in the WW1. He joined up with an Old Pals Brigade but was unable to serve with them because he was too short to see over the firing step. He was therefore put into the band and taught to play the clarinet. Of course, that meant that he served most of his time as a stretcher bearer and saw some dreadful sights. The rest of his Old Pals were wiped out and my grandfather suffered from survivor-guilt for the rest of his life.

His name was John Albert Martin, although he was always called Albert, 1892-1970. He lived all of his life in West Bromwich and worked from apprentice to retirement at Salters, eventually becoming a master spring maker. His medal recalls his details as 3 0548 5 PTE. A. Martin. R. WAR. R.

Anecdotally, he was on the Somme, but I should be very grateful to know when and where he served, and in which battalion.

PatriciaR

 

[terry carter]

Hello Patricia

I have checked his medal index card on ancestry. No info really except his number. 305485 is a six figure number allotted to the Territorial Force from around February 1917
He was entitled to the War and Victory medals. Given that, plus his six figure number, indicates that he did not enlist or probably conscripted until 1917. Also his service number is from the block of numbers allotted to the 8th Bn Royal Warwickshires. So he either served in the 1/8th Bn or the 2/8th Bn.

Unless, of course, someone else knows better

Regards

Terry

 

[PatriciaR]

Dear Terry

This is most kind - thank you. It will help to have the battalion information. I am new to this game ; do you have any advice as to future searches?

Yours

Patricia

 

[terry carter]

hello Patricia

The only advice I can offer is always ask on this forum because there are plenty of friendly folk who are willing to share their information on all subjects concerning family history.

Terry