Hi all i am trying to find out some info on my Grandad. Im trying to find out where his unit was sent to fight etc. He served from 1914 for 4 years until he was wounded in battle and has to have his left leg amputated in the field hospital. He then suffered from gangerene and had to have a re-amputation. He also suffered from a bad chest due to mustard gas, but despite all this he never once complained and after the war always had a full time job and supported his family. Can anyone please point me in the right direction please - ive tried search engines but not having much luck. Here are the facts I have to go on:- Private George John Cockling Born October 11th 1893 Address 7 Longford Street London Royal Irish Rifles 3/22nd London regiment 1/43772 Reg no 6315 Dishcharge serial no 880/83 Any infor would be gratefully appreciated - thank you
Hi GJ and welcome ! You more than likely already have this ... but it may help somebody help you ! Medal card of Cockling, George J 3/22nd London Regiment 6315 Private Royal Irish Rifles 1/43772 Private Date 1914-1920 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/...asp?Edoc_Id=2017039&queryType=1&resultcount=6 Do you have any family stories at all that may give some clues ? God Bless your Granddad .... he went through it didn't he ? Annie
Thanks for looking Phil ! . ... I thought there may have been some pension papers ! I wonder if the SWB number is on his MIC ? Annie
Hello Annie, I did try to message you, but your box must be full. It's a standard MIC with just the Roll numbers. Victory & British War Medals on Roll B/104 B20 Page 3139 SWB List B/975 Phil
The 22nd (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment. The number 6315 was issued around September of 1916, and the battalion was then renumbered with six digit numbers commencing “68” in early 1917. As George’s Medal card doesn’t show any such number, it is fair to assume that he had transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles by then. I know you said he served from 1914, but this is not supported by the service number 6315. Also, as he has no “Date of Entry” on the medal Card, he did not go overseas prior to 1916. The R.Ir.Rif. number shown is 1/43722 and I am guessing (!!!!) that this is a 1st Battalion number. I have some extracts from the Bn.'s War Diary from 1917 and if you can send me an email via my website (shown below), I'll mail them over to you.
Thank you very much to all who are trying to help me. Mr Nulty I have emailed you - thank you. I have a photo of my Grandad in uniform which my partner has restored for me which may be of interest which I will try to post on here.
Thank you. Here is my Grandad. Annie i dont have any stories at all he would never speak about the war and I was only 3 when he died so this is why im trying to find out. He had his leg amputated 3 times in all due to the gangerene spreading. My mum has a carved white rosary, - the crucifix has a tiny hole in it - when you look through you can read the lords prayer - it was given to him by the nuns when he was in hospital as they thought he was going to die. We have his medal card, discharge papers, medal, and a couple of his uniform badges
Roy gave me this from the SWB Roll !! 43772 Rfn Roy.Ir.Rifles SWB No B28453. Enlistment date 15/2/1916. Discharge date 18/10/1918 (Gassed & wounds) Overseas Yes Badge issue after 23/10/18
Thank you very much Annie - that discharge date is the same date that is on his honourable discharge certificate we have! What I cant understand is why i cant find any info on his regiment from the info I have here?
No im afriad not, but ive done a bit of research on the net, and there was a hospital called The Queen Mary that specialised in false legs for the soldiers in London which is where he lived.
