202 replies to this topic

[Ian Bowbrick]

One of colleagues at work has brought in her son today. He saw me looking at the main website and then asked me 'Which regiment did I serve in during the war?'         
Kids - don't you just love 'em!
Anyway it got me thinking...... Imagine it is 1914, war has just been declared and you want to do your patriotic bit. Which Regiment/Corps would you put down on your attestation form as the one you would be willing to serve with?
I shall ignore my old unit, the RAOC, and stick with the local boys, the East Surrey Regiment.
Anyone else.......................
Ian

[Alison Arnold]

Ian,

Again the I am going for the local choice. It's the Royal Sussex Regiment for me.

I am intrigued by your signature, Albert Charles Grenyer 12th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment is one of my ancestors. Do you have any information on him?

Cheers

Ali

[Raster Scanning]

As I have spent nearly 30 years fixing aircraft (including a WW1 vintage SE5A) I guess it should be the RFC....................but I think it would have to be one of my local Service Battalions, the 7th Beds.

John.

[HERITAGE PLUS]

I was born a Somerset man, raised as a Wiltshireman and now I am living in Gloucestershire so local choice is available! I would not be able to choose my father's Regiment as it wasn't raised until WW2 (Paras).

Working for the RN I suppose I should be loyal and serve in one of HM Ships  but I have opted for the 'Light Bobs' of the Somerset LI.

[Hill_60]

When I left school I joined the Royal Military Police , so I would have to choose the MFP. Not the MMP, I was thrown from a pony when I was 2 years old and I won't go near the damn beasts now!
Failing that then it would have to be any kilted Scottish regiment, I turn a pretty ankle in a kilt  

[Myrtle]

'A' Company of 1st Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers or The Buffs or The Artists' Rifles.

[David_Bluestein]

Good topic!

Growing up in Toronto Canada, I would not hesitate for a moment in signing on at the recruiting office for the 3rd Battalion (Toronto Regt.) Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Or (as one of my uncles did) the 35th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, made up of mostly Jewish recruits who served primarily in Mespot/Egypt etc.

[Terry_Egalton]

I'd stick to my old TA unit, The London Scottish.

Terry

[Paul Reed]

Again the I am going for the local choice. It's the Royal Sussex Regiment for me.

Ali

Good choice - the good old 'Iron Regiment'.

I was just following in the footsteps of the Sussex this weekend with my Sussex OMRS medal collector friends.

[AOK4]

My preference is the (württemberg) Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 247.
I hope none of you mind my choice for the "other side"...

[Hill_60]

As I'm being sponsored through uni by the Queens Royal Lancers I suppose I should say the 17/21st Lancers

My second choice unit when I joined the Army was the 17/21st Lancers. The Major who interviewed me asked why and wasn't too impressed when I said, "the cap badge is brilliant!".

[egbert]

Jan,
don't be afraid of the other side; its the right side. So let me guess: since I am already in my 30th year military active duty, I don't necessarily like to go to a Great War. But if I could prevent the guy on the left sided picture to write a letter home on May 1st, 14:00hrs, 1918, sitting atop of a foxhole - KIA by a grenade from the other side -  I certainly would join Infanterieregiment 49, preferrably RgtKdr.

[Andrew Hesketh]

Having researched my home village extensively, one regiment and one battalion stand out, so I suppose I'd have been swept along with my coal mining mates and joined the Sherwood Foresters, 11th Battalion (hello Greenwoodman!!). If I'd been a territorial then it would have been the 1/6th Sherwood Foresters.

Am I glad that I never had to face that decision in 1914!

All the best,
Andrew

[Steve_McGarry]

Steady the Buffs, or at a push I would go over the river (spit) and join the  Dirty Half-Hundred  

[Ralph J. Whitehead]

Considering my relatives fought in 3 different armies I am in a quandry over which regiment I would join. Considering all of the research I have done so far my choice would probably be the 99th Reserve Infantry Regiment (Prussian).

In truth, knowing what I do about the war and this particular unit I would probably be better off in the Swiss Guard.

Ralph

[Greenwoodman]

Aye, aye Andrew. The 11th Sherwoods, particularly in Italy to watch Colonel Hudson win his VC, to find out just what it was that Grandad did to win his MM (and promotion to paid Lance Corporal!), and to see whether Edward Brittain did expose himself to enemy fire on the fateful 15th June 1918.

Time travel, anyone?

[Jonathan Saunders]

Great question.

Family tradition gives me little option but the Royal Navy or the Royal Marines but having researched most of the fatalities from my village I'd be proud, if not down right scared, to stand alongside any of them and most of them were in The Buffs.

[Annette Burgoyne]

The 6th K.S.L.I., would have been my choice, if they had let women in.

[Sgt York]

It would have to have been my local TF battalion - 7th Bn King's (Liverpool Rgt)

[Kate Wills]

The Expeditionary Force Canteens, preferably in the Mediterranean.
I love warm weather and I do make a good cup of tea (the REAL thing, no teabags!!)

[Andrew P]

I would have to say the 10th Light Horse Regiment or if I failed my riding test; the 11th Battalion AIF.
These were the first two Western Australian units formed in 1914.

Cheers
Andrew

[RoyEvans]

The ‘natural’ choice would be my local 1/6th South Staffords but perhaps it should be 2nd South Staffords following in Grandfathers footsteps.

On second thoughts, maybe I’d prefer to be in a supply depot. back in Blighty!

Roy

[Raster Scanning]

Andrew
When I am in Oz, I live just outside Carramar on the Wanneroo Rd.
I use the 10th Light Horse, Heritage Trail as my early morning running track.
Have you been there? not much to see now but still interesting.
See you on ANZAC day?
John.