7 replies to this topic

[nimrod1897]

Hi

I've acquired a bit of soldier's  kit stamped "F D Bell 130855" - there doesn't appear to be a soldier of this name with this number in the UK National Archive, and I'm wondering if he could be Canadian, New Zealand or Australian? If anyone has any thoughts on this I'd be pleased to hear from you.

[DavidB]

The serial number does not fit Australian serial numbers, which were generally in the 1,2,3 or 4 number range. There were no Canadians under a search for

F D Bell, however there is an F D Bell which comes up on the NZ archives which, unfortunately I cannot access as I do not have a sub to ancestry.au.

[Ellsbells]

On ancestry.co.uk there is an FD Bell in the NZ casualty lists for July and August 1917, but his service number is given as 12725.

[nimrod1897]

Thanks - I will try and follow up the NZ angle - I guess another possibility could be he was with the South African forces?

[nimrod1897]

Possibly making some progress - 13 was apparently the pre-fix for the Auckland Mounted Rifles - so maybe the number is actually 13/0855? Anyone out there with knowledge of this unit its numbering or personnel your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[David Underdown]

Try the Cenotaph database on the Auckland War Memorial museum website

[nimrod1897]

Many thanks for the replies to this post and that under the 'units & formations' forum. I think that the New Zealand possibility has been ruled out. that leaves the possibility that "F D Bell 130855' was either:

1. From another Commonwealth unit or country.

2. That there is a mistake/omission in the UK national archive

3. He served after first world war (when did the change occur to 7 figure service numbers?)

4. It is not a service number - least likely I would have thought.

Any further thoughts or ideas on avenues to explore very gratefully received.

N.

[nimrod1897]

Sorry to bother you all again, but looking at the UK National Archive again it seems that several men with close service numbers to this man were Royal Field Artillery Drivers - could the absence of a medal index card for Bell simply mean that he never served outside the UK (maybe he was an instructor?) and therefore was not entitled to a medal - hence no Medal Index Card, and if his service record was also lost WW2, and  assuming he also never received a silver war badge or became a fatality could it be that, quite legitimately, no official paper record of him survives even though he served during the war years?