Chris Talbot Posted 14 June , 2004 Share Posted 14 June , 2004 Dear All My wifes Grandfather William Robert Richards enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry 8/7/1916. On his enlistment papers that I have a copy of the question is asked have you served in HM Forces before, the answer was yes he had served as a driver in the RFA. The question is as there is no other information about his first term of service in the RFA in the folder do I need to look for another set of records and another medal card to find out about his first term of service. eg do some soldiers have two or possibly more record cards and sets of service papers. Yours Chris Talbot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveE Posted 14 June , 2004 Share Posted 14 June , 2004 Chris How old was William Richards in 1916? Is it possible that his previous service in the RFA had been in South Africa 1899-1902? and subsequently pre-ww1? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Talbot Posted 14 June , 2004 Author Share Posted 14 June , 2004 Hi all William was 39 when he reinlisted Yours Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ian Bowbrick Posted 15 June , 2004 Share Posted 15 June , 2004 Of all the soldiers I have researched who previously served in the army before serving WW1, their records were attached as an annex to their 14/18 service record. I am not saying that there are no exceptions to this 'rule', but I have never found a case where it was not so. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 15 June , 2004 Share Posted 15 June , 2004 Following on from Ian's comment I have found fairly full and complete WW1 service records for soldiers that had served and been discharged previously where the previous service record was not annexed. I am thinking of two instances in particular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnreed Posted 15 June , 2004 Share Posted 15 June , 2004 A lot depends on the various Record Offices, if for instance a Record Office looks after an X amount of infantry Battalions(not necessary Titled the same) and the individual enlists in another Battalion administered by the same Record Office his records will be annexed. The Royal Artillery Records only administers RA and a re-enlistment will get a new number and his revious record will not be annexed. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPotter Posted 16 June , 2004 Share Posted 16 June , 2004 I have found papers for several soldiers who served both prior to and during WW1 in both the WO 97 series and WO 363/364. On the odd accasion you may also find Militia Enlistment papers too. You never know your luck until you look! Happy hunting, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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