Hello, I have the Victory Medal for my Great Grandfather, Job West who served with the Durham L. I. (2553), Labour Corps (407413) and Royal Fus. (GS/126209). My question: As I now live nor far from Arras in France and I heard that some of the DLI served here, is there a way of knowing if he did? I have searched endless archives (but am a novice!) but to no avail. I will upload document scans that may be helpful and I thank you for any interest and assistance. If anyone can help me to read the 'OTHER ACTION' section of his Pension Ledger card I would appreciate that. I simply cannot make out the words but perhaps those with more familiarity may be able to? Thank you
UK, World War I Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920 Name: Job West Military Year: 1914-1920 Rank: Private Company: WO 329 Regiment or Corps: Royal Fusiliers Regiment Number: GS/126209 Medal Awarded: British War Medal and Victory Medal UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Name: Job. West Rank: Pte Record Type: Disability Residence Place: Birtley S.O. Co. Durham Military Service Region: Northern, England Discharge Date: 28 Feb 1919 Service Number: 126209 Corps, Regiment or Unit: Royal Fusiliers Service Branch: Military (Army) Title: WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers Description: Pension Record Ledger Many of the service records for WW1 soldiers were destroyed during the bombing of WW2 so (as with my great uncle) there is nothing to specifically say where they served, except to say Northern France Wiki says "During the First World War, the D.L.I. expanded to 42 battalions, comprising two Regular, two Militia, 17 Territorial (1st, 2nd and 3rd line, some never completed) and 21 service and other types (some short lived),[45] with 22[a] seeing active service overseas – on the Western Front (at Ypres, Loos, Arras, Messines, Cambrai, the Somme and Passchendaele) So there is a good chance he was in that area but certainty is something else You could also try the Great War Forum - Great War Forum - they may have specialists in this area TD
Thank you very much for your reply. The extra document is useful too. Interesting to hear that documents were destroyed during WWII. I will keep searching, just in case.
British Army WW1 Service Records, 1914-1920 (Soldiers) The National Archives | Exhibitions & Learning online | First World War | Service records TD
Hello Mark, If you look at the attachment in TD’s first post you will see that your great grandfather was a Private (Pte.) in ‘8DurhamLI’ and that it is the GOC 50th (Northumbrian) Division that has had forwarded the list of soldiers entitled to medals. I take this to mean that your great grandfather served with the 1/8th Bn Durham Light Infantry, 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, with the service number 2553. If he was still with that Battalion in 1917, he would have seen service at the Battle of Arras; including the First Battle of the Scarpe, Second Battle of the Scarpe and Third Battle of the Scarpe. I believe these took place on or near Wancourt, Souastre and Cherisy. The 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry, 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, also saw service in the area during WWII, as the 151st Infantry Brigade and other supporting Divisional troops of 50 Div (and 5th Div) undertook the Arras Counter attack. The 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry were reposnsible for the open right flank and attacked on the axis Maroeuill, Duisans, Warlus... This action is said to have been the event that resulted in Hitler issuing his ‘stop’ order to German forces, which in turn gave Allied troops more time to evacuate from Dunkirk, Bray Dunes, et al. Hope this assists?!
The OP has followed TD’s advice and posted on GWF. Members there have responded to his enquiry. Steve
Thank you again! Wonderful insight. My Grandfather was conspicuously quiet about his father (and more so his mother) and so I have little information but this is all helping me to build a better picture. To think he was in Arras... and them made it home (perhaps as he was sick according to his pension book) is very interesting.