3 replies to this topic

[Charleschandler]

Hello all,

Almost a year ago (blimey!) I posted an enquiry about whether RDC men ever served overseas, possibly in connection with prisoner escort/exchange duties.  (‘Royal Defence Corps’, Units and Formations, 8/12/10).  The replies I received strongly suggested that this did in fact take place.

As it seems that interest is continuing to grow in the role of the RDC I’d like to re-raise the query, and ask whether any forum members have found any more evidence of RDC men serving in France (e.g. the Base area) particularly in connection with POW duties.

A couple of the things which intrigue me:

- Captain Horace Goater RDC, kia 10/8/18 aged 43, and buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension. His headstone bears the RDC badge and shows his unit as the Royal Defence Corps, though he was attached 2/4th Royal Berkshire Regiment when he died.  Killed by a sniper whist Btn was in the line at Nieppe.  His medal index card shows RDC only, entry to theatre 3/6/18.

- Entry from Hansard 9 March 1920:

ROYAL DEFENCE CORPS (MEDAL).
HC Deb 09 March 1920 vol 126 c1121W1121W

Mr. TAYLOR
asked the Secretary of State for War if it is the intention of the War Office to grant a medal to the noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Defence Corps who were called up at the outbreak of war and served four and a half years, guarding prisoners, railways, docks, &c, both at home and in France?

Mr. CHURCHILL
Soldiers who served overseas during the War are entitled to the British War Medal, and if they served in a theatre of war to the Victory Medal also. The question of the award of a medal for service at home is under consideration.

Any information gratefully received.

Many thanks

Bob

[dave ricketts]

Bob,

Some time ago I looked at Captain Goater's file.  As I recollect it, it seemed to be an administrative mess-up, in that his transfer from the RDC hadn't been put thru.

I also looked at the Medal Roll for the Officers and there were definitely examples of BWM Awards, although I can't lay my hands on the notes I took at the time.

Cheers,
Dave

[Graham Stewart]

As far as I'm aware the "Order of Battle for November 1918", which includes Base and L-of-C units does not include any RDC units at all. It would be adviseable to check all the ORBATS, from the formation of the RDC, up to 1918, but they probably wouldn't include units moving to and from on a regular basis, who only stayed for short periods.

[Charleschandler]

Graham Stewart, on 16 November 2011 - 04:47 PM, said:

As far as I'm aware the "Order of Battle for November 1918", which includes Base and L-of-C units does not include any RDC units at all. It would be adviseable to check all the ORBATS, from the formation of the RDC, up to 1918, but they probably wouldn't include units moving to and from on a regular basis, who only stayed for short periods.

I've just started a new topic for a man who appears to have served in France for a short period whilst serving with the 259th Protection Company RDC, and would welcome any comments.

Many thanks

Bob