Wigan Album
WW1
11 Comments
Photo: Myra Tomkinson (nee Clayton)
Item #: 27514
Looks like Royal Artillery cap Badge .Hope i't's a start for you.
I would hazard a guess at Royal Artillery looking at the shape of his cap badge, R.A., R.F.A., R.H.A, R.G.A. He's not wearing a bandolier so probably R.G.A. Royal Garrison Artillery, who's uniform was the same as foot soldiers as opposed to the other R.A. units who wear dressed as mounted soldiers.
If you go onto Ancestry and then into Military and put his name and year of birth and where born that should start you off. If there is no service record due to some records being destroyed in the Blitz you will find medal rolls. The records state the regiment he was in. If your grandfather did not survive -it is easier still to find out information by going to the War Graves site. I am sure staff at Wigan museum would help if you live around the area.
Myra,forgot to say get in touch with Royal Artillery at Woollech London give his name & number if you know it they will help you .Good luck.
Jinksie I got stung for £25 by writing off for information to London. You can find out loads more now on Ancestry/Military. I couldn't find service records for the Lancashire Fusiliers and was told they were destroyed in the Blitz. What I did find was medal rolls which indicated where my Grandfather had been and when he had landed at Gallipoli. Then that can lead you to the War Diaries .....it's easy if you have the patience and time to do it.
"R.A. units who wear dressed as mounted soldiers."
Apologies it should read 'were' and not wear.
Vb, perhaps Myra doesn't have access to Ancestry, you appear to have, why dont you offer to search for her requirements.
It is very expensive to contact The Royal Artillery,I speak from experience.Esther
I would do so Jonno but I only do my research in the library....and yes it is free for the first hour. That is why I have advised her to go to her local library or Wigan Museum. She needs to know his year of birth or thereabouts
Myra, I have a photograph of my father taken during WW11 with his horse, he was in the 'Royal Horse Artillery' and the uniform is the same as your granddads, the cap badge is also the same. I would say this is almost certainly the regiment you are looking for. Great photo by the way.
I'd look on ancestry for you, Myra, but I need a date and place of birth.
Linda