RFA cap badges pre and WW1

[oc14]

I'll have a look at the record on ancestry-looks to have been a colourful character with some interesting entries! I'll get back to you shortly!
Paul L

[oc14]

Ok then , in summary:-
Thomas Mighten enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery for 5 years on 24/6/1898 and was allocated the service number 28485.
After initial training he was posted to 83rd Field Battery. He was tried by Court Martial in March 1899 and having been found guilty was sentenced to 56 days imprisonment (in military prison).
He was then posted to 79th Battery where on 1/4/1904 he extended his service to 8 years.
He lost good conduct pay of 1 penny per day 28/12/1902, this was restored 8/2/1905.
On 13/11/1905 he was sentenced to 168 hours imprisonement WITH HARD LABOUR and forfeiture of 1 good conduct badge.
He clearly doesnt seem to have been too embittered by this as on 13/11/1905 he extended his service to 12 years.He was discharged on completion of his 12 years service 28/10/1910 and re-enlisted 16/11/1910 !

On 21/11/1910 he had one good conduct badge restored
He was posted to the 5th Division Ammunition Column 18/8/1914 and proceeded with them to France 23/8/1914. He served with this unit until 15/2/1915 when he was posted to 5th Brigade Headquarters. Whilst he was with this unit he was sentenced to Field Punishment Number 1 from 6/3/1915 until 3/4/1915 (this involved being tied speadeagled to a waggon wheel or similar for two hours each day).
On 20/11/1915 he was posted to 81st Battery - his period of enlistment was due to end whilst he was with this unit - he agreed to remain serving for the remainder of the war and for this he received a gratuity of £20 !
He ended his service with the rank of Bombardier (during WW1 this was the equivalant of a modern day Lance Corporal).
Interestingly , the details of his "crimes" are somewhat sparse and neglet to mention the nature of the crimes that he was found guilty of - I would guess that they were almost certainly drink related !
Hope that is of some interest.

PL

[LONGSHANKS]

What a character.........

[Advsmt]

Oc14 thank you very much for that information, as you say the nature of his crimes is somewhat vague. I found another relative who was with the Black Watch who's punishments ran to 4 full pages in only 2 years of service!

I guess from his time range of service that I am looking at at least 2 cap badges. The first being the flaming grenade? Then moving on to the field gun badge?

PS. I am in Nottingham as I write this, so can't be far from you!

Many thanks

Bryan