Guest mollydog Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 Hello All - I have a book with an inscription from a soldier's mother on the frontispiece. According to the CWGC he was a Private in the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) and died 2/7/1916. His mother has written a note by his name "Killed 1916 B watch Reg". I'd like to try and find out what action he may have been engaged in when he was killed. He is buried in Mametz. I'd be most grateful for any help. Many thanks MOLLY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 I suspect it means Black Watch Regt. Do you have his name and/or number? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mollydog Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Hello Phil - Thanks for your reply - Black Watch certainly seems likely. His name was Alvin Harker Mohun and his number was 13227. Many thanks MOLLY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 I can only assume he was in the Black Watch prior to transfer to the MGC, assuming his mother`s info was correct. I`m confident the medal specialists can advise you on Medal Information Card procedure. Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mollydog Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Thanks for your help Phil - Molly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pete Wood Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Alvin Harker Mohun enlisted in Middlesborough. When he joined the Black Watch, his number was 11926. He was killed in action on the 2nd July, on the second day of the Battle of The Somme. I would say that it is likely that he was part of 17 Division. You may confirm this, and you will find more information, by searching for his records and Medal entitlement at the PRO. Other forum members may also have information on him. Name: MOHUN, ALVIN HARKER Initials: A H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (Inf) Date of Death: 02/07/1916 Service No: 13227 Additional information: Son of George and Isabel Harker Mohun, of 9, Boosbeck Rd., Skelton-in-Cleveland, Yorks. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: V. W. I. Cemetery: DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 This soldier served with the 64th MG Coy, 21st Divison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Looks like you`re spot on, RT. As Dantzig Alley is beyond Fricourt, it also looks like he was a "genuine" 2/7/16 casualty as opposed to those listed on the 2nd but actually KIA on the 1st. Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pete Wood Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Looks like you`re spot on, RT. As Dantzig Alley is beyond Fricourt, it also looks like he was a "genuine" 2/7/16 casualty as opposed to those listed on the 2nd but actually KIA on the 1st. Phil B You're more confident than me, then. Because I can't find any casualties (killed in action) in 64 brigade on the 2/7/16. I would have thought that this MG coy would be supporting its own brigade.....?? All of 64 brigades casualties are from the 1/7/16 and the 3/7/16. On the 2nd July, it was 62 brigade which was involved in the fighting (with regards to 21 Division), around Fricourt Farm. This brigade eventually linked up with 17 Division in the early afternoon - near Poodles Copse. So is it feasible that 64 MG Coy was supporting 62 Brigade...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Sorry, I hadn`t seen IB`s contribution above. It`s possible though that as 50 brig were acting as part of 21 div on 1/7/16, the 64 MGCo were supporting them? That would put him nearer to Dantzig Alley, and a possible 1/7/16 casualty, although I appreciate he needn`t have been killed close to where he was buried. Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Guys, I was only refering to what is written in his service record. All the best - Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 Ian, would you mind saying how you accessed his service record? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 9 June , 2004 Share Posted 9 June , 2004 The usual way - by the appropriate reel at the PRO........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 10 June , 2004 Share Posted 10 June , 2004 Thanks. I look forward to the PRO (Northern Branch). Any plans for them to go online? Phil B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 10 June , 2004 Share Posted 10 June , 2004 The usual way - by the appropriate reel at the PRO........... Living 8 miles from the PRO does help As the service records are in 5 distinct sets and those that are there are not in alpha order and some are barely legible - this would be one hell of a task to come up with something user-friendly. The particular file relating to the soldier in question is only 2 pages, one of which is heavily charred. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mollydog Posted 11 June , 2004 Share Posted 11 June , 2004 Thank you all so much for the information on Alvin Mohun. The book which belonged to him is a lovely copy of Ruskin's Sesame & lilies. After Alvin's death his mother Isobel gifted it to a Comrade Ringrose - perhaps losing her boy on the Somme had a profound influence on her politics. Ian - I am beside myself with jealousy that you live within spitting distance of the PRO! My heartfelt thanks to you all for your help - MOLLY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 14 June , 2004 Share Posted 14 June , 2004 Ian - I am beside myself with jealousy that you live within spitting distance of the PRO! Except for the mortgage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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