I'm trying to tidy up a few loose ends with some WW1 research and wondered whether anyone here can help clarify the following. My Great Grandfather was mobilized into the 3/5th Suffolk Regiment on the 29th September 1916 after being enlisted on the 23rd May 1916. I posted a question on the Great War Forum in order to find out where he would have carried out his basic training however I was informed that it was unlikely that he joined the 3/5th Suffolks as they had been absorbed into the 3/4th Suffolks on the 1st September 1916. Is this a case of the paperwork trail not keeping up with events or would he have joined the 3/5th as his service record suggests? Thanks Nick
The 3/5th was raised at Bury St Edmunds in April 1915 by Colonel G L Andrewes VD with Major HC Langman as Adjutant. Later on in the year they moved to Halton near Tring. In May 1916 Major H J Hargrave took over command .Towards the close of 1916 the battalion was amalgamated with the 3/4th. The new Battalion was named the 4th Reserve Battalion Suffolk Regiment The main purpose of these second and third line battalions was to provide draft for the fighting battalions and the rehabilitation of those returing injured from the front line.. The recruits were put through intensive training and were expected to ready to go overseas after 8 weeks training.
Thanks for info. Still confused as to what unit he actually joined, I think I'll just leave it that he joined the Suffolk regiment. Nick
