10 replies to this topic

[Pat kavanagh]

My Great Uncle Charles Thomas Gilbert (7655) was a Reservist recalled to the KRRC and went to France in August 1914. He was killed on Oct 31 1914 with the 2nd KRRC.

As a Reservist, would he have been called back to his old Battalion or would he have been sent to any Battalion of the KRRC that needed him.

Thanks

Patrick

[tullybrone]

Hi,

No specific knowlege on your query but my grandfather was a recalled Coldstream Guards reservist.

He was posted to the "reserve" on his arrival in London (Chelses Barracks?) 7th August 1914 and was posted to join his old 2nd battalion (already overseas with the BEF) 26th August 1914.

Steve Y.

[Chris_Baker]

He would have been posted to whichever battalion needed men.

[Staffsyeoman]

The 1st & 2nd Battalions were in the UK; the 3rd & 4th were in India. Checking a family primary source to see if he is mentioned. 31st October 1914 was the Battle of Gheluvelt. I have always contended had it not been for the remnants of four battalions (of which 2/KRRC was one) equating to little  more than one full battalion holding their position against a vastly superior German force south of the Menin Road, the Charge of the 2nd Worcesters north of the road may not have saved the BEF as much as is lauded.

[Pat kavanagh]

Steve , Chris and Phil - thank you very much for taking the time for the feedback - Charles's brief history has been summarized by Chris from fourteeneighteen/research - his records were destroyed and we have little info - peicing together and making assumptions from info supplied and the 2nd Batt KRRC War Diary , would Charles have gone to the Depot at Winchester after being recalled and then waited to be sent to France?

Thanks again Gents

[battiscombe]

he would have gone to the depot and then been sent immediately to Blackdown/Aldershot where I think both Bns were forming. One of the downsides of mobilisation was sending men across country to a depot to be immediately put on a  train, sometimes to the other end of the country to join their unit. 2Bn KRRC. "6th August pm - the first batch of reservists 220 strong under 2Lt Waring arrived about 3.20pm, and the second and final batch, about 350 strong arrived about 10.30pm. They wre a fine lot of men, and fukl of enthusiasm."

[Pat kavanagh]

Many thanks for this information. Sorry about his but i wonder if you could help a bit more please?
I have read the war diary and am a bit confused: My great Uncles Medal Index Card quotes a qualifying date of 26/8/14 - would this have been the date he arrived in France?

The two batches of reinforcements - would they have been sent to France as two distinct batches as the War Diary quotes two separate batches of reinforecements arriving in France in early september - would these reinforecements be the same two batches that arrived on August 6th?

Many thanks and any info would be most gratefully received.

Regards

Patrick

[battiscombe]

the reservists who joined 1st and 2Bns on 6 Aug just brought the Bns up to full war time strength (the peacetime establishment was substantially less than the 1000 or so required for full wartime establishment) ... So nearly half 2Bn would have been mobilised reservists... they arrived at Havre on 13th Aug so presumably (if the medal card is correct, occasionally they are wrong ..) he followed  2 weeks later (the qualifying date should be the date he arrived 'in theatre'), so perhaps part of a reinforcement party sent over, but presumably at one of the infantry 'bases' .. at Havre??..for a few weeks ..

A 'first reinforcement' of 90-100 men was probably mainly of the first batch of mobilised men, reservists and special reservists.. with perhaps 1 officer would have been left at the depot (or maybe the 'Base'?) and would have provided the first field reinforcements in September (listed as 1officer and  91ORs, I see) - and later batches would have been sent over from UK when ready .. after that a steady flow would have been required.

[Pat kavanagh]

Many thanks for your kindness and helping me understand Charleys journey.

best Regards

Patrick

[Graham Stewart]

Everything regarding reservist call-up is laid down in Regulations for Mobilisation and if I'm correct the first port of call for any reservist was the Regimental Depot. Depending on how long you had been discharged would determine how quick you were sent out as a reinforcment to a battalion and so believe some were sent to the Reserve Battalions to ensure they were fit for duty and to ensure musketry was up to scratch.

[Pat kavanagh]

Thanks for the clarification - lots of little pieces help to put all of the jigsaw together.

Regards

Patrick