4 July 2014

Army Service Numbers - Update - July 2014


Over the last six years I have published number sequences for various regiments as well as observations and thoughts on anything number-related.  At this point in time you will find that I have covered number sequences for:

All Household Cavalry
All Line Cavalry
All Foot Guards
All Line Infantry (regular battalions)
All Yeomanry regiments

In addition, I have published sequences for many Territorial Force battalions as well as sequences for some Special Reserve and Extra Reserve battalions.

Throughout this time I have always given freely of my time and tried to answer queries from visitors to this blog. This is going to change.

The fast-approaching WW1 centenary commemorations coupled with my own full-time job, military research commitments and family commitments means that I shall no longer be responding to general queries. I just don't have the time. I will be happy to undertake paid research and I reason that there's a lot of free information on this blog already and if you want more information, that's a time commitment from me that needs to be recompensed.  I will continue to respond freely to enquiries up until the end of this month but this service ends in July.



6 comments:

Justin said...

Paul

Does this also mean that you will stop posting new or updated number sequences to the blog?

Have you thought about allowing others to share any research they have done on number sequences with you to add to the blog?


Justin

Paul Nixon said...

Hello Justin

No, I'll still be posting as before and people are always welcome to add their knowledge to this subject if they'd like to do so.

Paul

Justin said...

Hi Paul

That's great. I like many have been lucky enough to benefit from your advice in the past, but it is as the central resource on Army Service Numbers 1914-1918 that this is a great resource for anyone researching a soldier with no service records/medal records lacking detail.

I it is really pleasing to know that this will continue and as a resource be added to.

Best

Justin

Anonymous said...

Hi, Paul the information that I have learnt from finding your blog has meant so very much to me
can I express my appreciation and heartfelt thanks to you.
My grandfather Thomas Christopher 6540 2nd Bn.Cheshire Regiment. No idea of the year he actually joined up.I believe may of been in India ? as I have in my possession an item that he brought back before he was killed in 1915 can you clarify as to whereabouts this was
as I know very little about my brave courageous Grandfather of whom I am so very proud. Thank you
Dorothy Christopher

Paul Nixon said...

Thank you Dorothy.

6540 for a regular enlistment into the Cheshire Regiment dates to around 10th April 1901. I see from his medal index card that he was presumed killed in action on the 8th May 1915 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion.

The regiment was in the Ypres area in May 1915 and took over the line at a place called Verlorenhoek on the 7th May. The Germans attacked the following morning and wiped out three companies. What remained of the battalion was brought out of the line later by two second lieutenants, a roll-call of just 32 men. Soldiers died in the Great War notes that 94 2nd Bn Cheshire men were killed that day; others would have been wounded or taken prisoner. Thomas Christopher is remembered on the Menin Gate.

The Cheshire Regiment history gives more details of the fighting on the 8th and it in turn will have referenced the battalion war diary which, if it's not already on line, will be very soon.

I hope this helps.

Paul

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul of immense help although very distressing to read I am thrilled. For it gives Thomas the voice to tell me the history of his life taken to soon.
I held a small disc with his name on it in rememberance yesterday. I was so proud as his candle burned so ever so brightly.

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