Getting back to one’s battalion?

[DCM Investigator]

How did soldiers on leave and returning to France find the location of their battalion, which was often moving from place to place? If a soldier arrived back in Le Havre, where did he go in order to be told where his battalion was now located? I assume there was some form on troop logistical group that gave returning soldiers a location and how to get back to their battalion?

[stevenbecker]

Mate,

Yes for the AIF I found they had a number of bases depots along the French coast

The main one being Etaples for most of the war, along with Rouelles and Havre

They are called as AGBD (Aust Group base depot) or by a Div such as the 5 ADBD (Aust Div Base depot)

They w/could move either between them, or just to one before being sent to unit

I would surpose the British had something like this on their side of the house.

[DCM Investigator]

Thanks for the initial response! I will search on the term “Base Depots” for more information on the British regiments.

Cheers.

[KernelPanic]

Here might be a good place to start: Infantry Base Depots 

Edited 16 July by KernelPanic

[stevenbecker]

Sorry should have given an some examples;

BURN    Hugh Stonor    29    Dvr    1 LH Bde Trn    5Co AASC to Anzac 5-15 rtn rear Dtls Egypt 5-15 (G) to 1 LH Bde Sup Sect 3-16 to HQ ASC Anzac MD 4-16 to 2 ADBD Etaples 6-16 to A/Cpl 9-16 to A/Sgt 10-16 to 1 Entr Bn 1-17 to 23 D/US 6-17 to AGBD Havre 7-17 att 1 Anzac Corps School 9-17 to cadet 2nd OTC Cambridge UK 12-17 prom 2/Lt 13 Trg Bn UK 2-2-18 to 52Bn 4-18 to 50Bn 5-18 to hosp (appendix) 6-18 F&B RTA 1914 leave disch 27-1-19 (4 IR (Wide Bay) CMF 3 years)

HINDS    Joseph William    1153    Pte    03 LHR    7R to advanced base Mudros 11-15 (G) Tos C Sqn 12-15 att WFF at Bir Hooker to hosp (appendix) 3-16 to Base Depot 5-16 to Arty Dtls Tel el Kebir 5-16 to AATD UK 6-16 to 8 Trg Bn (32Bn) Codford UK 9-16 to 5 ADBD Etaples 11-16 to hosp (scabies) 11-16 to 2 Anzac LHR (1153a) 12-16 T/att NZ Div 4-17 to AGBD Havre 9-17 to 3 ADBD (39Bn Reinf) Rouelles 9-17 to hosp (VD) 9-17 tos 39Bn 11-17 to hosp (VD) 11-17 rtn 2-18 WIA 22-6-18 L/Foot shot reported two wounded during relief by 43Bn at L'abbe Wood near Villes Betonneux F&B to AIF depot (1 com) Sutton Veny UK 8-18 RTA wounded 

From what I understand, Etaples was the main depot, while changed in 1917 to Rouelles and late 1917 and 1918 to Havre

The main depot was AGBD while each Div had its own depot (1 to 5 ADBD) the AGBD held soldiers from not Infantry units in 1916 but appears to change in 1917 and 18 

[DCM Investigator]

Thank you both! Very helpful, and much appreciated.

[FROGSMILE]

On 16/07/2024 at 07:01, DCM Investigator said:

Thank you both! Very helpful, and much appreciated.

Each base depot and occupied village usually had a Transport Officer** and the need to move drafts forward, and after 1916 leave parties rearward, was constant.  There was a continuous flow going forward and locations of individual units - also constantly moving - could be found via formation headquarters staffs.  After that it was a matter of utilising the stream of vehicles going from the base to transport hubs forward.   Often a draft might be dropped off at a point along the way and then march for a bit until they reached another hub or transit camp where they might stay the night before getting transport again for the next leg.  Frequently men sat on top of stores stacked in ASC vehicles going up to the line.

** usually co-located where possible with the Town-Major and/or Town-Adjutant as part of his staff that, depending on the size and scale of activity of the town garrison along the line of communication (LofC), would include an Assistant-Provost-Marshal and his small team of military police.  The Transport Officer was often an older officer with long military, or other relevant service, but still sprightly and with acumen enough to perform his duties.  A similar figure was the Railway Transport Officer (RTO) who was located at each railway hub (in the station) and functioned in a similar way.

Edited 28 August by FROGSMILE

[DCM Investigator]

Thank you for the next level detail. Very much appreciated.

Cheers.