MGC to Infantry

[Mike]

Quite common to see men from Infantry transfer to the ever expanding Machine Gun Corps during the great war. But what about men going in the other direction? I guess the investment in training of a new MGC gunner would not want to be wasted so my assumption is that these men must have took their skills with them. Therefore they must have joined their Infantry battalion machine gun section?

Any opinions on this MGC to infantry transfer? or has anyone seen documentary evidence of where there men ended up in the battalion they joined?

[magpie]

Just my opinion but I'm pretty sure that a lot of the mgc wouldn't have been machine gunners as such, some one has to keep the boxes of ammunition and water coming and taking away the waste before you're up to your neck in spent cases, belts and empty boxes, I'm not saying that they all can't use the guns if needed and I'm sure that some prefer or of more use back in their original regiment.

[hagwalther]

Hi Mike,

Can't really comment but one of my grandfathers was in the MGC (the other was in South Wales Borderers (we think)) during the First World War. Each gun had a crew of six to man it but he did not see action as the war ended while he was under training in Staffordshire.

His transfer in 1919 was to the coal mines in South Wales.

Regards,

Chris

[Mike]

Originally Posted by hagwalther

Hi Mike,

Can't really comment but one of my grandfathers was in the MGC (the other was in South Wales Boarders (we think)) during the First World War. Each gun had a crew of six to man it but he did not see action as the war ended while he was under training in Staffordshire.

His transfer in 1919 was to the coal mines in South Wales.

Regards,

Chris

Did the raw recruits for the MGC undergo normal infantry training (in addition to their specialist MGC training ) before active service?

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by Mike

Did the raw recruits for the MGC undergo normal infantry training (in addition to their specialist MGC training ) before active service?

Hi Mike,

As far as I know he was sent for basic training only pre MGC. A relative of mine has a lot of original documentation on him including rail passes and final pay advice when discharged. I think it also even includes a list of civilian clothing granted on discharge. I went throught it all a few years ago and found no trace of other regiment/corps except, if I remember, him wearing in uniform, the cap badge of the MGC but with General Service Corps buttons.

No medals or awards were granted to him and I am sure he never saw action.

My other grandfather was on his way to the Somme which had been going for some weeks. His ship was diverted in the English Channel to Ireland as part of the response to the Irish Rebellion. It seems being Welsh and working class they got on quite well with the locals even visiting where he was posted after Ireland was partitioned.

Him and his friends were certain that they would all be dead in a few weeks if not sent to Ireland. They knew exactly what was going on and as far as he was concerned, the rebellion saved his life and that of his comrades.

Again, no medals or awards were granted to him and his 'transfer' in 1919 was also to the South Wales coal mines.

Regards,

chris