WW1 service record - KIA Gallipoli

[napier]

Hi all, a colleague has just discovered an ancestor who died at Gallipoli. Anyone with access able to flesh out the following?

11767 LCpl Leonard Caddick, 2nd Bn South Wales Borderers. KIA 6/7/15 aged 39 (named on Helles Memorial)
Son of Richard & Eliza Caddick, 42 Hill St, Blaenavon, Mon

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

MIC for Leonard Caddick:

​

Given his age at death and his early entry into a Theatre of War, possibly a Regular or recently recalled from Army Reserve?

I'll see what's out there . . .

 

[napier]

MIC for Leonard Caddick:

View attachment 563547

​

Given his age at death and his early entry into a Theatre of War, possibly a Regular or recently recalled from Army Reserve?

I'll see what's out there . . .

Absolute star, thanks.

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

As I suspected, Leonard was pre-War Special Reserve (replaced the Militia in 1908 as a part of the Haldane reforms):

​

​

His 14 Star would be named as 'Pte' and his BW and VM as 'LCpl'

 

[napier]

As I suspected, Leonard was pre-War Special Reserve (replaced the Militia in 1908 as a part of the Haldane reforms):

View attachment 563550
​

View attachment 563551

​

His 14 Star would be named as 'Pte' and his BW and VM as 'LCpl'

I take it the 14 Star meant he served in France with the 1st Bn as an Old Contemptible?

 

[Red Hander]

Not much I am afraid in the service record sense, but a press notice of losses, from the Cambria Daily Leader of 09/08/15:

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

And, finally, the CWGC Register for the Helles Memorial:

​

His entry into the Register of Soldiers Effects:

​

If I have the time, I'll try and trace the Bn War Diary for the day.

 

[napier]

Not much I am afraid in the service record sense, but a press notice of losses, from the Cambria Daily Leader of 09/08/15:

View attachment 563553

View attachment 563555

Thanks, it's great colour

 

[napier]

And, finally, the CWGC Register for the Helles Memorial:

View attachment 563558
​

His entry into the Register of Soldiers Effects:

View attachment 563560
​

If I have the time, I'll try and trace the Bn War Diary for the day.

Thanks again. Is there any way of discovering his pre-war service and enlistment date for WW1?

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

I take it the 14 Star meant he served in France with the 1st Bn as an Old Contemptible?

Doesn't look like it: there's no annotation on the MIC for 'Clasps and Roses', which would be expected if he qualified for the clasp '5th AUG.–22nd NOV. 1914'.

The criteria was that the individual ' . . . had served under fire or who had operated within range of enemy mobile artillery in France or Belgium during the period between 5 August and 22 November 1914.'

It's seems that he didn't.

 

[Mary Hinge]

Casualty Details | CWGC

Casualty Details | CWGC

www.cwgc.org

Cemetery Details | CWGC

Cemetery Details | CWGC

www.cwgc.org

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

Thanks again. Is there any way of discovering his pre-war service and enlistment date for WW1?

Sorry - no sign of any Service papers.

 

[napier]

I understand that 1st Bns were UK based and required mobilised reservists to bring them to War Establishment, with 2nd Bns out in the Empire at nearer full strength, which explains why the 2nd were in China when the war broke out. If he was mobilised to the 1st Bn in 1914 and went to France, what would the reason for transfer to the 2nd Bn for Gallipoli be?

 

[napier]

Doesn't look like it: there's no annotation on the MIC for 'Clasps and Roses', which would be expected if he qualified for the clasp '5th AUG.–22nd NOV. 1914'.

The criteria was that the individual ' . . . had served under fire or who had operated within range of enemy mobile artillery in France or Belgium during the period between 5 August and 22 November 1914.'

It's seems that he didn't.

(ignorance speaking) what does the '14 star on its own signify? I assume he was mobilised to the 1st Bn, which deployed in Aug 14.
Edit - I see the clasp was instituted in 1919 and required the individual to claim it - hard to do if KIA.

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

(ignorance speaking) what does the '14 star on its own signify? I assume he was mobilised to the 1st Bn, which deployed in Aug 14.

Indeed. As said previously, he (and probably others) did not get close enough to the front to qualify for the clasp. I'm assuming that his Theatre of War was F and F: unfortunately the numerical Theatre is missing from his MIC.

The War Diary survives. Herewith the 2 pages which would cover his date of death:

It's a sobering thought that his death is covered with the throwaway line '13 men killed and about 30 wounded'.

 

[napier]

Indeed. As said previously, he (and probably others) did not get close enough to the front to qualify for the clasp. I'm assuming that his Theatre of War was F and F: unfortunately the numerical Theatre is missing from his MIC.

The War Diary survives. Herewith the 2 pages which would cover his date of death:

View attachment 563570​

View attachment 563571

It's a sobering thought that his death is covered with the throwaway line '13 men killed and about 30 wounded'.

But officers named - so much for equality in death..

 

[Mary Hinge]

I found his enlistment papers!
If you read 'Leonard Caddick Enlistment Papers_4', it shows his mother and her address.

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

But officers named - so much for equality in death..

Needs must, I guess: a simple management exercise - 13 + 30 = a lot of writing of names, ranks and Service numbers.

1 named officer is easy.

It seems that Leonard did have previous service:

Name:	Leonard Caddick
Enlistment Age:	22
Birth Date:	abt 1876
Birth Place:	Blaenavon Monmouth
Enlistment Year:	1898
Regiment:	Worcestershire Regt.
Regimental Number:	5259
Attestation Paper:	Yes

Unfortunately, the Attestation Papers are on another site that I don't have access to, though it's probable that he had Boer War service.

 

[napier]

I found his enlistment papers!
If you read 'Leonard Caddick Enlistment Papers_4', it shows his mother and her address.
View attachment 563579
View attachment 563580View attachment 563581View attachment 563582

outstanding, thanks

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

Bingo!

Found his entry on the King's South Africa Roll:

​

and his entry on the QSA Roll:

​

Absolutely no idea as to how he qualified for the 'Jo'Burg' clasp.