Ancestry.com has surviving records of soldiers who served in WW1 on line (many wered amged in WW2) - for a fee I think a basic search is free Some of them are very detailed giving next of kin , home address, details of marriages, birth of children, places where the man served, wounds recieved, medals awarded etc so it m ight be worth having a look for your man there regards Martin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beryl Hayes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 12:40 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > Many thanks Martin for such a speedy reply - Royal Field Artillery makes > perfect sense - he possibly learnt his saddlery skills there and then > moved > to bootmaking when he left the Army - at least this gives me a starting > point > best wishes > Beryl > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Martin Samson" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:31 AM > Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > > >> The Royal Field Artillery >> >> The most numerous arm of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was >> responsible >> for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front >> line >> and was reasonably mobile. It was organised into Brigades, which were >> under >> command of Divisions or higher formations. >> >> The Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery >> What did a Brigade of RFA comprise? >> >> During the war a whole new form of artillery was developed to meet the >> unusual conditions of war on the Western Front: the trench mortar. The >> lighter weapons being manned by the infantry, the RFA provided the >> manpower >> for the heavier mortars: >> >> regards >> >> Martin >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Beryl Hayes" <[email protected]> >> To: <[email protected]>; "hampshire" >> <[email protected]>; >> <[email protected]> >> Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 11:19 PM >> Subject: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation >> >> >>> Hello folks! >>> >>> I'm sending this out to a few Lists in the hope that someone can give me >>> a >>> pointer, so please reply off-topic if you think it isn't going to be >>> relevant for anyone else on the list >>> >>> I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who died in London in 1921. His >>> occupation is given as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does anyone >>> have a clue about what the letters refer to? Given the preceding >>> numerals >>> it sounds like either an Army number with the initials of the regiment >>> or >>> perhaps a Trade Guild membership. >>> >>> I haven't had much luck with Google - but then I don't relly know where >>> to >>> start looking. >>> >>> The lists are such wonderful sources for material, that I thought >>> someone >>> was bound to know something >>> In hope and thanks, >>> Beryl in Tassie - hot and humid >>> >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without >>> the >>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) >>> Database version: 5.11660 >>> http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ >> >> >> >> >> >> E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) >> Database version: 5.11660 >> http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without >> the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > > E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) > Database version: 5.11680 > http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) Database version: 5.11680 http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/

Hello folks Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre is funded by the UK taxpayers (local & national). It is required by the central government to try and cover its operating costs. I have no idea how they decide what charges to make, but no doubt they have guidance from central government on that. The commercial operators (Ancestry etc) are also making a contribution to the Exchequer. But unlike the WSHC they also have to make a profit. The only way we (Family historians) can ameliorate the situation is to join the volunteer projects or just do something yourself. It's a shame that Mike John and Terry Waters-Marsh got into an argument, as they are both "good guys" and making a contribution to the general good. Rgds Michael

On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 4:44 AM, mike john <[email protected]> wrote: > I have just purchased 9 pages from a newpaper, they cost 90p each, I will > now upload them to my website which cost nothing. > I have followed this conversation and this was the one comment that stood out for me. If a newspaper or the local records office makes information available, for a fee or otherwise, I suspect they don't want people distributing it to all and sundry. If they do it for a fee, the reason is obvious, but even if they do it for free, they may want to track how many people use the service so they can continue to get funding for it. I found the argument that building and maintaining a website for these documents can be done for next to nothing to be ignorant and unhelpful. Someone has bought into the hype all you need is a PC and phone line to compete against the BBC . . . . The mention of "my website which cost nothing" is disingenuous. It costs *him* nothing but somewhere someone is paying for electricity, bandwidth, support staff, rent, etc. Whether it's through advertising, the scourge of the modern age, or other people's subscription fees, there are costs and payments going on. But most disturbing was the sense of entitlement, the notion that once someone has done the work -- at taxpayer expense -- of digitizing these records, that they can then be reproduced and copied for free. Even if the costs are covered early on, additional funds may be used to tackle other projects, other records. Again, being able to track what people use most often can help guide future projects. On this side of the pond, we hear people grumble the government services should be run like a business, but what happens when they try to recover their costs? And if you are aware of anyone who had gotten rich in public service, I'd like to hear about it. I'm not aware of any librarians or county council staff who have retired to stately homes . . . . -- Paul Beard / www.paulbeard.org/ <paulbeard.org> Samuel Goldwyn - "I had a monumental idea this morning, but I didn't like it."

Wow, I have just caught up with the last few days Digests and found this topic and all the associated toing and froing. In particular I found the response by the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives "predictable" in that they chose to compare their £5 fee with Scotland's people not the National Archives who only charge £3.50 for their wills!! Although I guess you can't blame them for selecting statistics that support their case rather than those that don't, we see that all the time in advertising and spindoctoring by our pollies etc. However, I would prefer to see them defend their charge based on their own COSTS, not someone else's CHARGES. >I am sorry you feel the cost is extortionate. >Five pounds was chosen because that is the >minimum charge we were advised we could make for credit card transactions. Given that £3.50 is OK on credit cards for the PCC Wills I think they also need to get better advice on minimum credit card charges or change their bank! It's not the £5 per se it was these two items used to defend the charge that I didn't think was reasonable. But in the end you have to pay whatever you need to get the information - I have happily bought a number of Scottish wills at £5 (~A$11) but choose not to purchase a USA Social Security report at US$27 (~A$41)!! <bg> Graeme Simpson Melbourne Australia

Ahhhh Graeme <G> the SS reports are a mine of information and usually HUGE <G> all the places they worked and children and such goodies Well worth the $$$$$ if you have it <G> Eliz On Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 10:58 PM, Graeme Simpson <[email protected]> wrote: > Wow, I have just caught up with the last few days > Digests and found this topic and all the associated toing and froing. > > In particular I found the response by the > Wiltshire and Swindon Archives "predictable" in > that they chose to compare their £5 fee with > Scotland's people not the National Archives who > only charge £3.50 for their wills!! Although I > guess you can't blame them for selecting > statistics that support their case rather than > those that don't, we see that all the time in > advertising and spindoctoring by our pollies etc. > However, I would prefer to see them defend their > charge based on their own COSTS, not someone else's CHARGES. > >>I am sorry you feel the cost is extortionate. >>Five pounds was chosen because that is the >>minimum charge we were advised we could make for credit card transactions. > Given that £3.50 is OK on credit cards for the > PCC Wills I think they also need to get better > advice on minimum credit card charges or change their bank! > > It's not the £5 per se it was these two items > used to defend the charge that I didn't think was > reasonable. But in the end you have to pay > whatever you need to get the information - I have > happily bought a number of Scottish wills at £5 > (~A$11) but choose not to purchase a USA Social > Security report at US$27 (~A$41)!! <bg> > > Graeme Simpson > Melbourne Australia > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Graeme Simpson wrote: > Given that £3.50 is OK on credit cards for the > PCC Wills I think they also need to get better > advice on minimum credit card charges or change their bank! Many places won't accept credit cards for under £5 and some won't accept them for under £10. Others will accept cards for as little as £1.

HI Beryl I have seen others have told you RFA stands for Royal Field Artillery but I found a posting on the Greatwar mailing lists, another Rootsweb list. The message I found is in response to someone else's query and I thought you might find the reply of interest, though I can't vouch for how accurate what is written is. you might find this mailing list one to interest you. Search the archives of the list to see if anyone else has similar interests to yourself. http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/GREATWAR/2007-09/1190471527 You could do as I did and just goolge Saddler RFA and see if you can find anything else of interest to you. If you have a subscription to Ancestry you may find the mans army service or pension record there, they have a few such items from WWI available to download, look under the UK records on the site.. Regards Jenny DeAngelis. Spain. <<I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who died in London in 1921. His occupation is given as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does anyone have a clue about what the letters refer to? Given the preceding numerals it sounds like either an Army number with the initials of the regiment or perhaps a Trade Guild membership.>>

Many thanks to everyone who has sent me an answer - it seems so simple. My apologies to the Administrators if I clogged the lists - I should have known that on any list ( relevant or not) there would have been heaps of people who could help - no need to conference call the whole of UK Family History Cyberspace!! Best wishes to you all Beryl in Tassie

Val Burge wrote: > At a guess Beryl, I'd say it stands for Royal Fleet Auxiliary - the arm of > the navy that supplied the fleets, and known by the initials RFA. It would > also make sense that he had become a bootmaker at the beginning of the motor > age, if he had previously been a saddler back when it would all have relied > on horses to move freight. More can be found here: > http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5045 Not likely to be the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since he was a saddler and had previously been a bootmaker. It's more likely that his skills as a bootmaker enabled him to transfer to being a saddler which, as others have said, fits with the Royal Field Artillery.

Many thanks Martin for such a speedy reply - Royal Field Artillery makes perfect sense - he possibly learnt his saddlery skills there and then moved to bootmaking when he left the Army - at least this gives me a starting point best wishes Beryl ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Samson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:31 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > The Royal Field Artillery > > The most numerous arm of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was > responsible > for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line > and was reasonably mobile. It was organised into Brigades, which were > under > command of Divisions or higher formations. > > The Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery > What did a Brigade of RFA comprise? > > During the war a whole new form of artillery was developed to meet the > unusual conditions of war on the Western Front: the trench mortar. The > lighter weapons being manned by the infantry, the RFA provided the > manpower > for the heavier mortars: > > regards > > Martin > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Beryl Hayes" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]>; "hampshire" > <[email protected]>; > <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 11:19 PM > Subject: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > > >> Hello folks! >> >> I'm sending this out to a few Lists in the hope that someone can give me >> a >> pointer, so please reply off-topic if you think it isn't going to be >> relevant for anyone else on the list >> >> I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who died in London in 1921. His >> occupation is given as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does anyone >> have a clue about what the letters refer to? Given the preceding numerals >> it sounds like either an Army number with the initials of the regiment or >> perhaps a Trade Guild membership. >> >> I haven't had much luck with Google - but then I don't relly know where >> to >> start looking. >> >> The lists are such wonderful sources for material, that I thought someone >> was bound to know something >> In hope and thanks, >> Beryl in Tassie - hot and humid >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without >> the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> >> >> >> E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) >> Database version: 5.11660 >> http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ > > > > > > E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) > Database version: 5.11660 > http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

After looking at the Royal Field Artillery emails, I concede to them! Looks much more likely :-) Val ----- Original Message ----- From: "Val Burge" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:35 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > At a guess Beryl, I'd say it stands for Royal Fleet Auxiliary - the arm of > the navy that supplied the fleets, and known by the initials RFA. It would > also make sense that he had become a bootmaker at the beginning of the > motor > age, if he had previously been a saddler back when it would all have > relied > on horses to move freight. More can be found here: > http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5045 > > Val > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Beryl Hayes" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]>; "hampshire" > <[email protected]>; > <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:19 AM > Subject: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > > >> Hello folks! >> >> I'm sending this out to a few Lists in the hope that someone can give me >> a >> pointer, so please reply off-topic if you think it isn't going to be >> relevant for anyone else on the list >> >> I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who died in London in 1921. His >> occupation is given as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does anyone >> have a clue about what the letters refer to? Given the preceding numerals >> it sounds like either an Army number with the initials of the regiment or >> perhaps a Trade Guild membership. >> >> I haven't had much luck with Google - but then I don't relly know where >> to >> start looking. >> >> The lists are such wonderful sources for material, that I thought someone >> was bound to know something >> In hope and thanks, >> Beryl in Tassie - hot and humid >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without >> the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.16/1925 - Release Date: > 30/01/2009 > 7:37 AM > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.16/1925 - Release Date: 30/01/2009 7:37 AM

SNIP>You may not agree with his views but he does have a right to state them.< I agree! I've watched this 'discussion' in slight horror at the vitriol being poured out! Why do people need to get so heated in defending the council for God's sake? I personally feel it's a shame that a valuable member has been lost due to such nastiness... although he was right in there being nasty as well. Can't people be civil and have respect for the views of others? Particularly if it doesn't actually affect you at all? How important is it anyway? Val ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alison Holden" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:47 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Cost of Wilts Wills online defended > Dear All > I cannot comment on the cost of setting up and running websites, etc. > However I would like to say that I have made considerable use of Mike > John's website. > I have been able to trace my family history back several generations as > well as making contact with other family members. His site has saved me > probably hundreds of pounds. > > He may, or may not, transcribe for freeCEN or freeBMD but he has made > available innumerable records online for people who are unable to travel > to record offices in Wales. > He has helped me personally with my family tree and has sent me copies of > wills that relate to my family. > > So please do not end this discussion with criticism of him. You may not > agree with his views but he does have a right to state them. > Alison > > > ________________________________ > From: Terry Waters-Marsh <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Thursday, 29 January, 2009 10:19:22 PM > Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Cost of Wilts Wills online defended > > Dear All, > > As the first to defend the cost of the online Wilts wills, perhaps I can > have the last words as well and then we can close the thread (please?). > > Mike was strident in his criticisms but as far as I know, he has never > volunteered to transcribe for FreeCEN (putting the census online for > free), > FreeBMD (putting the civil registration indexes online for free) or > FreeREG > (putting the parish registers online for free). Had he done so, he would > have realised that even these projects, registered as charities in the UK, > have significant costs in producing the transcriptions and in maintaining > the web servers for online access. Even the volunteers have costs in terms > of time, use of their computers, discs and postage costs. > > As someone else so aptly commented, "You do not owt for nowt". > > Finally, the mind is like a parachute - it only works when it is open. > > Warmest regards, > > Terry Waters-Marsh > FreeCEN Country Coordinator for ENGLAND > FreeCEN County Coordinator for SOMERSET (1891), WILTSHIRE, BEDFORDSHIRE, > BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, CHESHIRE, DORSET, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, > HERTFORDSHIRE, HUNTINGDONSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE, WARWICKSHIRE, WORCESTERSHIRE. > Visit the FreeCEN web site at http://www.freecen.org.uk > Somerset web page http://freepages.genealogy.rootswseb.com/~somtcen > Wiltshire web page http://www.pope-genealogy.me.uk/nwop.htm > Warwickshire web page > http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/freecens/1861/index_1861.html > Worcestershire web page http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/wo-a-p.html > OPC for Avebury, Wiltshire > General census information > http://www.british-genealogy.com/resources/census/index.htm > > "To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree > without > a root." (Chinese Proverb) > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.16/1925 - Release Date: 30/01/2009 7:37 AM

At a guess Beryl, I'd say it stands for Royal Fleet Auxiliary - the arm of the navy that supplied the fleets, and known by the initials RFA. It would also make sense that he had become a bootmaker at the beginning of the motor age, if he had previously been a saddler back when it would all have relied on horses to move freight. More can be found here: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5045 Val ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beryl Hayes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; "hampshire" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:19 AM Subject: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > Hello folks! > > I'm sending this out to a few Lists in the hope that someone can give me a > pointer, so please reply off-topic if you think it isn't going to be > relevant for anyone else on the list > > I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who died in London in 1921. His > occupation is given as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does anyone > have a clue about what the letters refer to? Given the preceding numerals > it sounds like either an Army number with the initials of the regiment or > perhaps a Trade Guild membership. > > I haven't had much luck with Google - but then I don't relly know where to > start looking. > > The lists are such wonderful sources for material, that I thought someone > was bound to know something > In hope and thanks, > Beryl in Tassie - hot and humid > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.16/1925 - Release Date: 30/01/2009 7:37 AM

Hello folks! I'm sending this out to a few Lists in the hope that someone can give me a pointer, so please reply off-topic if you think it isn't going to be relevant for anyone else on the list I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who died in London in 1921. His occupation is given as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does anyone have a clue about what the letters refer to? Given the preceding numerals it sounds like either an Army number with the initials of the regiment or perhaps a Trade Guild membership. I haven't had much luck with Google - but then I don't relly know where to start looking. The lists are such wonderful sources for material, that I thought someone was bound to know something In hope and thanks, Beryl in Tassie - hot and humid

thank you ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 9:36 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Cost of Wilts Wills online defended > Web site > > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monfamilies/monfh.htm > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monfh/ > > from another person who has been helped by Mike > > Jeanette > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Anita" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 10:25 PM > Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Cost of Wilts Wills online defended > > >> Can you tell us what his website is >> Thanks >> Anita >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Alison Holden" <[email protected]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:47 AM >> Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Cost of Wilts Wills online defended >> >> >>> Dear All >>> I cannot comment on the cost of setting up and running websites, etc. >>> However I would like to say that I have made considerable use of Mike >>> John's website. >>> I have been able to trace my family history back several generations as >>> well as making contact with other family members. His site has saved me >>> probably hundreds of pounds. >>> >>> He may, or may not, transcribe for freeCEN or freeBMD but he has made >>> available innumerable records online for people who are unable to travel >>> to record offices in Wales. >>> He has helped me personally with my family tree and has sent me copies >>> of >>> wills that relate to my family. >>> >>> So please do not end this discussion with criticism of him. You may not >>> agree with his views but he does have a right to state them. >>> Alison >>> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without >> the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.15/1924 - Release Date: 29/01/2009 5:57 PM

Those who believe in making genealogical information available free may be interested in the site www.willtranscriptions.co.uk which is where donated transcripts of wills are made available to all who might be interested Ros

Can you tell us what his website is Thanks Anita ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alison Holden" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:47 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Cost of Wilts Wills online defended > Dear All > I cannot comment on the cost of setting up and running websites, etc. > However I would like to say that I have made considerable use of Mike > John's website. > I have been able to trace my family history back several generations as > well as making contact with other family members. His site has saved me > probably hundreds of pounds. > > He may, or may not, transcribe for freeCEN or freeBMD but he has made > available innumerable records online for people who are unable to travel > to record offices in Wales. > He has helped me personally with my family tree and has sent me copies of > wills that relate to my family. > > So please do not end this discussion with criticism of him. You may not > agree with his views but he does have a right to state them. > Alison >

Hello Beryl, To expand, the number you quoted *would* be his service number. The link within the link is a very interesting place to explore It is <http://www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units.htm> and the web master, Chris Baker, has done a very fine job of explaining to family historians about the various parts of the British Army. Val, Royal Fleet Auxiliary was formed in 1905, so *could* have been the answer to a slightly different set of circumstances! <lol> HTH Phil Orpington, Kent, UK > From 1899 to 1924, and then became part of the Royal artillery. > ><http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Field_Artillery> Phil Warn ô¿ô Genealogists do it backwards Family Historians take all steps "The Warn family in Tetbury from 1722" <http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philwarn/FamHist1/index.htm>

The Royal Field Artillery The most numerous arm of the artillery, the horse-drawn RFA was responsible for the medium calibre guns and howitzers deployed close to the front line and was reasonably mobile. It was organised into Brigades, which were under command of Divisions or higher formations. The Brigades of the Royal Field Artillery What did a Brigade of RFA comprise? During the war a whole new form of artillery was developed to meet the unusual conditions of war on the Western Front: the trench mortar. The lighter weapons being manned by the infantry, the RFA provided the manpower for the heavier mortars: regards Martin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beryl Hayes" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; "hampshire" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 11:19 PM Subject: [ENG-WILTSHIRE] Occupation > Hello folks! > > I'm sending this out to a few Lists in the hope that someone can give me a > pointer, so please reply off-topic if you think it isn't going to be > relevant for anyone else on the list > > I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who died in London in 1921. His > occupation is given as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does anyone > have a clue about what the letters refer to? Given the preceding numerals > it sounds like either an Army number with the initials of the regiment or > perhaps a Trade Guild membership. > > I haven't had much luck with Google - but then I don't relly know where to > start looking. > > The lists are such wonderful sources for material, that I thought someone > was bound to know something > In hope and thanks, > Beryl in Tassie - hot and humid > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > > E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) > Database version: 5.11660 > http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) Database version: 5.11660 http://www.pctools.com/uk/spyware-doctor-antivirus/

Hello Beryl, RFA = Royal Field Artillery From 1899 to 1924, and then became part of the Royal artillery. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Field_Artillery> HTH Phil >Hello folks! > >I'm sending this out to a few Lists in the hope >that someone can give me a pointer, so please >reply off-topic if you think it isn't going to >be relevant for anyone else on the list > >I have a Death Certificate for a 'relly' who >died in London in 1921. His occupation is given >as ' Bootmaker ex Saddler 28473 R.F.A.' Does >anyone have a clue about what the letters refer >to? Given the preceding numerals it sounds like >either an Army number with the initials of the >regiment or perhaps a Trade Guild membership. Phil Warn ô¿ô Genealogists do it backwards Family Historians take all steps "The Warn family in Tetbury from 1722" <http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philwarn/FamHist1/index.htm>