Hi Nivard, Thanks for replying. I have the British War Medal, which I believe is also called the Service Medal. Around its perimeter, it has his name and the No. T4-159129 inscribed. There was a card stating RASC, Roll number 101B109, pg. 11049 and that he was a Private. This card has been mislaid .... I don't think he worked past 1920. My Mum had said he had been in France but she was a little tot at the time, and stories can be misinterpreted. I do know that my Grandfather was working in Bristol just before WWI started: STAPLETON ROAD SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENT Inquest in the in the Western Daily Press (C.S. Bragg born 1856 Exeter died Bristol 1914) INQUEST ON THE VICTIM Saturday 11 July 1914 (Source: FindMyPast ) An inquest was held yesterday on the body of Charles Samuel Bragg (59), of 137, Whitehouse Lane, Bedminster, who on Thursday met his death in a scaffold accident at Stapleton Road. Evidence of identification was given by the deceased son. Edwin Thomas Blake, a sign writer, said that the deceased, together with himself, were employed by Messrs. W. J. Rogers Ltd., brewers. At a few minutes to two o'clock on Thursday they were both engaged in painting and writing a sign at the railway bridge in Stapleton Road. They were standing on a scaffold composed of four planks, giving a platform 18 inches wide and the length of two planks. They were supported on a set of iron brackets that were specially constructed for painting work on the bridge. A protecting rope ran all round the platform, and was about the height of one's hip from the boards. At the time of the accident the deceased was holding a pot of paint that witness was using, and with his free hand had hold of the rope, as far as the witness could say, the deceased fell over the rope without any apparent reason and appeared to be quite unconscious of what was happening to him, as he made no effort to save himself. During the time that they were up on the platform the deceased was quite sure of his footing, but remarked on the heat of the sun. In answer to Mr. S. H. Pomeroy, who appeared on behalf of the brewing company, the deceased man's employers, the witness said that the only reason that he could give for his mate falling was that he was overcome by the heat. The medical evidence showed that death was due to fracture of the skull and the shock accompanying it. As there were some question as to the safety of the planks and rope raised by the brother of the deceased, the case was temporarily adjourned for the jury to examine them. Upon their return they said that death was due to the causes set forth in the medical evidence, but in their opinion the planks composing the scaffolding were not suitable and the rope was much too low. With appreciation, Edna - Ottawa -----Original Message----- From: Nivard Ovington Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 5:20 PM To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [B&S] Edwin Thomas Blake 1873-1930 Army Pension Records Hi Edna Not sure from the narrative but do you have the British War Medal for him? or are you just describing how they were inscribed? The medal card for the man you mention shows he was entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal but not the 1914/15 Star, therefore he did not serve in France before 1916 The T prefix means Horse Transport (M = Motorised) Is it possible your man served past 1920? If so his service papers would not be with the bulk of records damaged/destroyed during WW2 (although I doubt he would have been kept on as he would be 47 and there were a dearth of younger men But as you say approximately two thirds of the service records were lost in 1940 so chances are his were amongst them Pensions wise there is some on them here <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/first-world-war-pensions.htm> But as I understood it the Ministry of Pensions retain the records post 1920 and there is 100 year closure on them in any case Now serial numbers in the Army Service Corps can be problematic Where a mans records are suspected of being destroyed, a ploy that often helps is to look at men in the same Regiment with serial numbers around your targets Helpfully any man with a Silver War Badge (as opposed to the British War Medal) was entered on the SWB roll which records the mans details but also the date of enlistment Edward ASH ASC T4/159110 enlisted 30th March 1916 George William BOLDING ASC T4/159166 enlisted 3rd April 1916 So I would suggest your man enlisted between those dates But as conscription started for single men between 18 & 41 in Jan 1916 and your man was already over 41 when that was introduced, suggests he volunteered before the end of 1916 but was not called up until the start of April 1916 The criteria for conscription was changed to include married men in May/June 1916, which again suggests he volunteered rather than was called up Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 14/11/2013 18:27, liverpud wrote: > Was wondering if there are any pension files on my Grandfather. He > was born and lived in Bristol. Was in the Army 1914-1919 or > thereabouts. > > Possibly in France with the ASC ( Army Service Corps) which was > responsible for supplying and transporting the Army. His Army > Identification was Private E.T. Blake, A.S.C., (T4-159129) inscribed > on the British War Medal, which was approved by King George V in 1919 > to commemorate the services rendered by His Majesty's Forces and to > record the bringing of the War to a successful conclusion. ( Note: > "T" in his number signified Transport Division). Edna has a > photograph of the moustached Edwin in his Army uniform taken around ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi again Edna The reason I asked if you have the medal is that it is solid evidence you have the right man, very often people find a medal card with the right name and assume its the right person, so just wanted to be sure The British War Medal was awarded to men who served overseas so yes he went overseas, probably France The Victory medal was awarded to those who entered a theatre of war ie you could serve overseas but not in a theatre of war and therefore only get the British War Medal Earlier medal cards noted the theatre of war they first entered and when but later ones didn't Using the ploy I mentioned previously, I found in the service records Edward ASH T4/159110 Attested 30th Mar 1916 at London Herbert CLIFFORD T4/159121 Joined up 10th Dec 1915 at the recruiting office St James Vestry Hall Piccadilly Attested 10th April 1916 at Aldershot Due to embark to France 26th June 1916 but seems to have been taken ill Served at Home 27th June 1916 to 26th Sept 1916 then discharged The above men may well have known yours and stood in line with him Perhaps yours went on that boat You may find other service or pension records for other men with close numbers to your mans with a longer check and hopefully one that served overseas, there is no guarantee they would have served with your man but its worth checking out for comparison Your mans medal card is on its way to you Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 15/11/2013 00:13, liverpud wrote: > Hi Nivard, Thanks for replying. > > I have the British War Medal, which I believe is also called the Service > Medal. Around its perimeter, it has his name and the No. T4-159129 > inscribed. > There was a card stating RASC, Roll number 101B109, pg. 11049 and that > he was a Private. This card has been mislaid .... I don't think he > worked past 1920. > My Mum had said he had been in France but she was a little tot at the > time, and stories can be misinterpreted. > > I do know that my Grandfather was working in Bristol just before WWI > started: > > STAPLETON ROAD SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENT Inquest in the in the Western > Daily Press (C.S. Bragg born 1856 Exeter died Bristol 1914) > INQUEST ON THE VICTIM