need information on two? soldiers

[fearnaught]

Hi, I was very fortunate to pick up this little package over the weekend. It would be of great assistance if someone could give me details of the owners of the two dog-tags. Are they the same person? what regiments did they serve in etc.? Thank you in advance Mike

[leigh kitchen]

First Name:
Albert
Surname:
Thompson
Regiments served with:
Unit Rank Service Number
Durham Light Infantry Private 82853
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Private 63856
Archive Reference:
WO 372/19/217288
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)

[High Wood]

Originally Posted by fearnaught

Hi, I was very fortunate to pick up this little package over the weekend. It would be of great assistance if someone could give me details of the owners of the two dog-tags. Are they the same person? what regiments did they serve in etc.? Thank you in advance Mike

I think that they are most likely father and son. 63856 Albert Thompson served with the 9/KOYLI during the Great War.

The second tag with the number 7957978 is in the block of numbers allocated to the Royal Armoured Corps. (7891869-8230000).

[fearnaught]

Hi, thank you both for the replies, it makes it a little clearer. Would son have served in any other regiments? best wishes Mike

[Postwarden]

This collection of badges tells an interesting story.

The ID discs, cap badge and tank arm badge suggest original enlistment into the RTR but the presence of the Duke of Wellington's Regt cap badge, the cloth mailed fist sign of 50th Indian Armoured Brigade and the Indian pattern RAC slip-on title would seem to suggest that he was later posted to 146 Regiment RAC which was converted from 9th Bn of The Duke of Wellington's which, like many converted regiments, retained their former cap badge. 146 served with 50th Indian Armoured Bde from 1942-1945.

Jon

[fearnaught]

Hi Jon, thank you. The confusion was that the 2nd reg. of the 50th Indian Tank Brigade was 149th RAC which were formed from the 7th Bn. KOYLI. As he appears to have an RAC number, I can only assume he was RAC trained, transferred to 146th RAC and when they were disbanded moved on to an RTR Bn.? Total conjecture but fits the bits. Maybe I should take up writing fairy tales, best wishes Mike

[Marcus H]

Mike,

Your best bet is to obtain a copy of his RAC Tracer Card from Bovington: https://tankmuseum.org/services/archive-and-library/:

You will receive a scan similar to the one pictured and any other relevant information discovered too.

Best,

Marcus