ASIA, trawler, lost 1917, September 12, British Isles Regards Geoff Foster _www.thinblueline.org.uk_ (http://www.thinblueline.org.uk)

I have just got hold of my Great Grandfather’s WWI pension records from Ancestry. And as with so many of these documents it has asked more questions then it has answered. I hope that someone can help me or point me in the direction of where to look. I am posting the enquiry to a number of groups so apologies if duplicates are received. My g-grandfather joined up on 29 January 1917 aged 18. He was then discharged 75 days later (4 April 1917) as he was no longer physically fit for service. The medical records state that he had epilepsy. They also state that this condition became apparent in January 1916 whilst he was serving in the Navy on board HMS Asia. After much deciphering of the handwriting it would appear he slipped through a hatchway and cracked his head on the deck. This needed an operation and ever since that day he had been having epileptic fits. Obviously he was keen to serve as he had joined the navy before he was 18 (and I’m presuming he was discharged following his injury) and then proceeded to join the Army (without mentioning his epilepsy). There are so many questions this series of events have prompted and my mind is still buzzing. Firstly I cannot find anything (via the Internet) on a ship called HMS Asia that was in service in WWI. Does anyone know where I could find out more and specifically whereabouts it was in January 1916? Leading on from this is there anyway of finding out more of my g-grandfather’s service before that date on the ship? I assume that the accident would have been bad for it to have led to an operation, presumably on board. Is there somewhere I could find out more about the operation itself or operations aboard ships? And finally Im not a medical person so I would love some help on the condition of epilepsy. My father (and yes this man was my father’s grandfather) also suffers from epilepsy to a lesser degree. He has also always dated this from an incident in which he slipped and banged his head. I believe that epilepsy can be hereditary but would love clarification on this. As for the incident when my great grandfather banged his head could this have brought on epilepsy or would it have been there all the time and maybe he just didn’t tell anyone so that he could enlist.Many thanks in advanceCharlotte Tebbutt _________________________________________________________________ Celeb spotting – Play CelebMashup and win cool prizes https://www.celebmashup.com/index2.html

TR stands for Training Reserve All the reserve battalions that had been created as Kitchener battalions were transferred to Training Reserve as of 1st September 1916. The battalions were brigaded in groups according to the home command structure which were numbered 1 to xx thus a man in a TR battalion would have a number like TR/8/16012. where 8 was the brigade. Part of the idea was to ensure that the effects of Pals battalions being destroyed and concentrating enormous losses upon specific communities were avoided. When men returned after being wounded in England, or when they thy were recruited for general service they went to a TR instead of an ordinary reserve battalion and were then despatched in batches to battalions in the field which needed reinforcing. This way men from different geographic areas got thoroughly mixed up Regards John -----Original Message----- From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Claire Kerr Sent: 02 August 2007 18:39 To: GREATWAR-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [GREATWAR] What is the "TR" Battalion? And a question aboutdownloading war diaries from the website of the National Archives. This is the entry for my great grandfather in Soldiers Died: Name: KEELER, Frederick William Regiment, Corps etc.: King's Royal Rifle Corps Battalion etc.: 13th Battalion. Surname: Keeler Forename(s): Frederick William Initials: F W Birthplace: New Cross, Kent Enlisted: Deptford Residence: New Cross Rank: RIFLEMAN Number: R/33756 Date died: 01 October 1917 How died: Killed in action Theatre of war: France & Flanders Supplementary Notes: FORMERLY TR/13/26695, 109TH T.R. BATTN. Can someone tell me please what "T R Battn" means - I can guess battalion, but don't know what "TR" is. What is it and why would he formerly have been in a different battalion? I would like to know more about where he served and where he died. Online at the National Archives, I have found a reference to a War Diary for the 13th Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, but the link I have doesn't seem to break down by month. A while ago, I was able to find War Diaries by month for another Great Grandfather of mine (2nd Battalion DLI), and could download individual months for a set fee each. Am I doing something wrong this time? Or have they changed the system? Many thanks in advance for any help. Claire HYPERLINK "mailto:claire@clairekerr.com"claire@clairekerr.com No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 01/08/2007 16:53 ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hello Claire, TR = Training Reserve. There is some discussion about the training reserve here: http://www.1914-1918.net/training_reserve.htm though you may not need to know all the 'ins' and 'outs'. Basically the Training Reserve was created after the introduction of conscription because the existing system of regimental training could not deal with the numbers involved. Once training was completed the soldier would be assigned to a regiment and battalion for active service. In the case of Frederick William Keeler he trained with the 109th TR Battalion and served with the 13th KRRC. Hope this helps. Mike Shingleton Thursday, August 2, 2007, 6:38:56 PM, you wrote: > This is the entry for my great grandfather in Soldiers Died: > > Name: KEELER, Frederick William > Regiment, Corps etc.: King's Royal Rifle Corps > Battalion etc.: 13th Battalion. > Surname: Keeler > Forename(s): Frederick William > Initials: F W > Birthplace: New Cross, Kent > Enlisted: Deptford > Residence: New Cross > Rank: RIFLEMAN > Number: R/33756 > Date died: 01 October 1917 > How died: Killed in action > Theatre of war: France & Flanders > Supplementary Notes: FORMERLY TR/13/26695, 109TH T.R. BATTN. > > Can someone tell me please what "T R Battn" means - I can guess battalion, > but don't know what "TR" is. What is it and why would he formerly have been > in a different battalion? > > I would like to know more about where he served and where he died. Online > at the National Archives, I have found a reference to a War Diary for the > 13th Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, but the link I have doesn't > seem to break down by month. A while ago, I was able to find War Diaries by > month for another Great Grandfather of mine (2nd Battalion DLI), and could > download individual months for a set fee each. Am I doing something wrong > this time? Or have they changed the system? > > Many thanks in advance for any help. > > Claire > HYPERLINK "mailto:claire@clairekerr.com"claire@clairekerr.com > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 01/08/2007 > 16:53 > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the > word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -- Best regards, Mike mailto:shinglma_64@btopenworld.com

OK - I *am* doing something wrong! I was searching the catalogue/archive, not using the "documents online" section. I've managed to find the war diaries by month now. But I would still be grateful for a response to my other question about the TR battalion. Many thanks Claire _____ From: Claire Kerr [mailto:claire@clairekerr.com] Sent: 02 August 2007 18:39 To: 'GREATWAR-L@rootsweb.com' Subject: What is the "TR" Battalion? And a question about downloading war diaries from the website of the National Archives. This is the entry for my great grandfather in Soldiers Died: Name: KEELER, Frederick William Regiment, Corps etc.: King's Royal Rifle Corps Battalion etc.: 13th Battalion. Surname: Keeler Forename(s): Frederick William Initials: F W Birthplace: New Cross, Kent Enlisted: Deptford Residence: New Cross Rank: RIFLEMAN Number: R/33756 Date died: 01 October 1917 How died: Killed in action Theatre of war: France & Flanders Supplementary Notes: FORMERLY TR/13/26695, 109TH T.R. BATTN. Can someone tell me please what "T R Battn" means - I can guess battalion, but don't know what "TR" is. What is it and why would he formerly have been in a different battalion? I would like to know more about where he served and where he died. Online at the National Archives, I have found a reference to a War Diary for the 13th Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, but the link I have doesn't seem to break down by month. A while ago, I was able to find War Diaries by month for another Great Grandfather of mine (2nd Battalion DLI), and could download individual months for a set fee each. Am I doing something wrong this time? Or have they changed the system? Many thanks in advance for any help. Claire HYPERLINK "mailto:claire@clairekerr.com"claire@clairekerr.com No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 01/08/2007 16:53 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 01/08/2007 16:53

This is the entry for my great grandfather in Soldiers Died: Name: KEELER, Frederick William Regiment, Corps etc.: King's Royal Rifle Corps Battalion etc.: 13th Battalion. Surname: Keeler Forename(s): Frederick William Initials: F W Birthplace: New Cross, Kent Enlisted: Deptford Residence: New Cross Rank: RIFLEMAN Number: R/33756 Date died: 01 October 1917 How died: Killed in action Theatre of war: France & Flanders Supplementary Notes: FORMERLY TR/13/26695, 109TH T.R. BATTN. Can someone tell me please what "T R Battn" means - I can guess battalion, but don't know what "TR" is. What is it and why would he formerly have been in a different battalion? I would like to know more about where he served and where he died. Online at the National Archives, I have found a reference to a War Diary for the 13th Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, but the link I have doesn't seem to break down by month. A while ago, I was able to find War Diaries by month for another Great Grandfather of mine (2nd Battalion DLI), and could download individual months for a set fee each. Am I doing something wrong this time? Or have they changed the system? Many thanks in advance for any help. Claire HYPERLINK "mailto:claire@clairekerr.com"claire@clairekerr.com No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.11.2/931 - Release Date: 01/08/2007 16:53

109th Training Reserve Battalion A place where a man got basic training in soldiering before he was assigned to a fighting regiment. http://www.1914-1918.net/training_reserve.htm Nelson

Hello Peter, Details on registering can be found at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/registration/ You can pre-register via the website but in practice it doesn't take too long. Make sure you bring appropriate forms of ID which are listed on the link above. The link below contains valuable information for planning your visit. Note in particular the list of prohibited items. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/plan.htm Microfilm readers cannot be booked in advance and work on a first come first served basis. The procedure with both microfilm and microfiche readers is that you take either a numbered box or card which is used to replace any film/fiche you take out of the filing cabinets. The number is for the reader that you are to use and indicates therefore where the film/fiche is. The only problem with this system is that when the place gets busy all the boxes and cards might be taken even though the readers are not in use. Busy days tend to be towards the end of the week though that is not always the case. The arrival of a coach party or two can liven the place up! My advice would be to arrive as early as possible. Inevitably a first visit will involve learning the ropes. Don't expect to get too much done at first. Better that you learn a way of working that suits you. If your 150 soldiers are WW1 men be aware that you need to look at the records in: WO 363 WO 363 Missorts WO 364 WO 364 Third Collation WO 364 Missorts These records are all on microfilm (though the ones in WO 364 are those now on Ancestry and which you might therefore be able to look at remotely). Paper records need to be ordered and though delays can occur the normal delivery time is 30-40 minutes. Good luck with your research. Mike Shingleton Thursday, August 2, 2007, 8:45:48 AM, you wrote: > I need to research about 150 soldiers and am planning my very first visit to Kew next week > for one day just to get a feel of the place and see where > everything is ready for a possible > week long research visit later in the year. > Do I just turn up and queue or do I have to pre book a microfilm reader and do I need a > readers ticket? > Also If I want to view any documents such as Medical Inspection Reports how long will I have > to wait to see them after I have made my request? Someone told me it could take up to two > hours. > Regards > Peter > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the > word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -- Best regards, Mike mailto:shinglma_64@btopenworld.com

I need to research about 150 soldiers and am planning my very first visit to Kew next week for one day just to get a feel of the place and see where everything is ready for a possible week long research visit later in the year. Do I just turn up and queue or do I have to pre book a microfilm reader and do I need a readers ticket? Also If I want to view any documents such as Medical Inspection Reports how long will I have to wait to see them after I have made my request? Someone told me it could take up to two hours. Regards Peter

Hamilton Ontario police have found some lost service medals belonging to veterans "A. LUMB" - WW1 and "K. LUMB" WW-2 http://www.thespec.com/News/article/228099 Anybody related??? Nelson

Ah well. I thought it worth it!! By the way. I still haven't been to Kew! How are you by the way? Cathy -----Original Message----- From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of Forrest Anderson Sent: 01 August 2007 20:13 To: GREATWAR-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [GREATWAR] Research at Kew using a professional researcher On Wed, 1 Aug 2007 18:17:19 +0100, "Cathy Edge" <Cathy@edgefamily.freeserve.co.uk> wrote: >On this list you may see Forest Anderson's replies. I know he has done >professional research in the past. He is based in Edinburgh but has gone to >Kew in the past. Thanks very much for the recommendation Kathy, but I'm afraid that I've had to stop going to Kew for the moment, so that puts me out of the frame as regards Peter's request. Your kind words are much appreciated though! :-)) Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

On Wed, 1 Aug 2007 18:17:19 +0100, "Cathy Edge" <Cathy@edgefamily.freeserve.co.uk> wrote: >On this list you may see Forest Anderson's replies. I know he has done >professional research in the past. He is based in Edinburgh but has gone to >Kew in the past. Thanks very much for the recommendation Kathy, but I'm afraid that I've had to stop going to Kew for the moment, so that puts me out of the frame as regards Peter's request. Your kind words are much appreciated though! :-)) Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher

Peter On this list you may see Forest Anderson's replies. I know he has done professional research in the past. He is based in Edinburgh but has gone to Kew in the past. I have not used his services but he has advised me on Kew and carrying out my own research. and appears very thorough and conscientious in his replies on lists. I knew him years ago and only came across his name on a list recently, not the most common of names. Cathy Edge -----Original Message----- From: greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:greatwar-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of Peter Appleton Sent: 01 August 2007 12:32 To: greatwar@rootsweb.com Subject: [GREATWAR] Research at Kew using a professional researcher Does anyone on the list have recent experience of using a professional researcher to undertake military-genealogy research at Kew (soldiers service records, war diaries, etc.)? I would welcome any comments that you feel able to give (either on- or off-list) regards, Peter Appleton Researching the men whose names are inscribed on the Skelton-in-Cleveland War Memorial ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GREATWAR-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Does anyone on the list have recent experience of using a professional researcher to undertake military-genealogy research at Kew (soldiers service records, war diaries, etc.)? I would welcome any comments that you feel able to give (either on- or off-list) regards, Peter Appleton Researching the men whose names are inscribed on the Skelton-in-Cleveland War Memorial

FYI\\ Len ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

The Order of Battle glossary of abbreviations lists ASP as Air Service, Aircraft Production. There is no acronym ASPC listed. With the exception of a handful of US-built DeHavilland (DH-4s), the US Air Service purchased virtually al its aircraft from Italy, Britain and (mainly) France. And, yes, in WWI, the Army Air Service was part of the Signal Corps. LGS ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

discuss Erie County residents who were in the Great War: > http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=world+war+one+veterans > FYI: this is Erie County, in Ohio

These entries from the "blog" from the Archives of Sandusky Library discuss Erie County residents who were in the Great War: http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=world+war+one+veterans ************************************************** Dorene Paul, Reference Assistant Sandusky Library 114 West Adams Street Sandusky, OH 44870 Phone: 419-625-3834 Fax: 419-625-4574

Hi, I will be visiting England in October and plan to visit KEW. My grandfather, Patrick HAYES was Royal Garrison Artillery. He was gassed and was r ecuperating in Sheffield when the war ended. Would he have been entitled to a pension? I searched Ancestry and couldn't find his records. I have a copy of his medal card index. I'm also researching gg uncle William KENNEDY, Army, 9th Born York and Lanc. who died in France. I also have a copy of his medal card index and his listing from Common. War Graves site. How would my time best be spent- WO303 and WO304??? Are the records on microfilm? I know I have to apply for a reader's card, but are there any other tips? I'm going to have my cousin with me, so two of us will be doing the research. Thanks for your help and advice, Anne Richmond, VA., USA, Solihull Native ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour