Wifes Grandfather

[ARTY]

Hi Everyone
My wife and I are visiting her grandfathers grave in April 18th which is the 100th anniversary of when he was killed, her brother is going to pipe at the grave on that day. He was 21362 Pte R.Reid 2nd Field Ambulance RAMC in the 1st Division.Is there any way of finding out when he enlisted. Would I have to contact RAMC records. Any advice much appreciated.
Arty

[Advsmt]

Hi, born West Sleekburn? A quick check seems to indicate his Service Record did not survive. He does not have a 6 digit number so not so easy to tie his enlistment date. I’ll do some more checking tomorrow.

Bryan

[MH331]

He arrived in France after 1 Jan 1916. Given he has a 5 digit service number he was not a pre war territorial. Looking at his soldiers effects entry he had a widow and children. So just my assumption is that he enlisted under the Derby Scheme and as a married man was not called up until 1916/7.

Just guesswork

Mark

[ARTY]

Thats great thank you to you both, i am actually trying to determine if he was serving during the Somme as the 1st Div. were at High Wood,so will also visit there in April when we go to France. Many thanks again to Bryan and Mark much appreciated.
Arty

[Charliedog012012]

If you visit High Wood, please say a special,'Thank You' to the DLI, the the New Zealanders and Canadians and to the London and Midlands Divisions. High Wood has a special place in my heart. Please also visit the London Cemetery which is very close by and was one of the cemeteries expanded during the battlefield clearance. As one book slo succinctly puts it 'The Hell they called High Wood'. How very true.

[ARTY]

Hi Charliedog we certainly will, that is interesting my brother-in-law who is going with us is ex 3rd RRF. so he will be interested in the London Div. We are taking some memorial crosses with us so we will put one at High Wood from Charlie dog,it will be a pleasure. If there is a particular grave you would like us to visit let me know pm me if it is private.
Arty

[Charliedog012012]

Arty,
That would be a very nice gesture. In London Cemetary, you will come across a few DLI 'Unknown Soldiers'. I know my great uncle is among them but we will never know exactly....so, when we go we select an unknown DLI soldier and we always write on the cross 'For all unknown soldiers of the DLI Regiment'. It may seem strange but when I first visited London Cemetery I was drawn to a grave to the left on the back row of the Cemetery in front of the hedge ( the cemetary has a smaller plot next to the road. The main Cemetery lies through the tall hedge). I walked through the gate and turned left and was drawn to this grave on the back row in this part of the cemetery......when I got there it was An Unknown DLI Soldier.....coincidence?...well maybe but I always feel that my Great uncle has been found. Any unknown grave deserves a cross to show that they are not forgotten. Much appreciated Arty.
Cheers
James

[Wooffy]

It is threads like this that make me wish we still had the 'thanks' button - it only goes to highlight what great people frequent here.

Sorry I cant add anything to help you Arty - wishing you all the best in this endeavour and in undertaking James' (Charliedog) request /wish also.

[Hoot]

Originally Posted by Wooffy

It is threads like this that make me wish we still had the 'thanks' button - it only goes to highlight what great people frequent here.

Sorry I cant add anything to help you Arty - wishing you all the best in this endeavour and in undertaking James' (Charliedog) request /wish also.

Well said, I totally agree with you.

[ARTY]

No problem James have looked on google maps so have an idea where we are looking will take some pics when we are there and post them if that is OK. We will be there in April as the 18th is the 100th anniversary of Robert Reids death. Will post them when we return. As it happens my Grandfather had a cousin from the Durhams killed in WW1 but unfortunately have no details.
Arty

[wardog]

My grandfather's cousin has no known grave and died with the 1st Cameronians attacking High Wood -probably just outside or at its edge. Its still privately owned I think- is there an estimate of the numbers of missing the wood contains? Regards, Paul.
http://www.blairlogie-scotland.org/u...d_laing_mc.pdf