Genealogy Chat

Hi I've just received my Gt Uncles WW1 Service Record from the Australin government (even through he was born in Cheshire) But I'm struggling with 2 things can anyone help.. On his enlistment papers it states he enlisted on the 29/12/1915 after completing 16 years service with the RFA. Which would have meant he would have joined in 1899? I'm not very well up on Military matters does anyone know if he would have served during the Boer War? Also attached is a Telegram that appears to be written in some sort of code. Has anyone any idea what sort of Code was used during WW1, or how I could find out. Regards Cheryl

This site has some useful info http://hometown.aol.*co.uk/KevinAsplin/home.html (remove *) Christine

Hi Cheryl, Saw you on GWF! I do not think it means 16 years back from Dec 1915. Remember, if he was already in the RA at that time they would not have discharged him from the British army unless medically unfit. Also he would have had to be in Aus to have enlisted in the AIF, and would likely to have emigrated before then. That does not mean he was not serving in the Boer War however. As I elsewhere mentioned, I think you need to check for his British army service reccords at Kew. Ian

Hi Christine Thanks I'll give it a try Cheryl

Hi Ian Thanks for your help will try Kew. It says RFA 16 years time expired( Doesn't that mean he had already served 16 years and his time was up)Or is it just the way they worded it? Its this Code thats bugging me!!! Thanks again Cheryl

Cheryl, Sorry - code needs someone with specific knowledge. Maybe the Aussie records office would help clarify for you? As to time expired - yes that means he served his full 16 years in the RA, but if that expiry was after the beginning of WW1 then I am sure the British army would not have discharged him. Also by December 1915 he must have already been in Australia as an immigrant, so as to qualify to enlist. Pure speculation - he did his time in the British army, and then emigrated to Aus. War broke out, and because of patriotic call and previous army experience he enlisted in Aus. Not an uncommon situation. Ian

Hi Ian Sorry to be a pain just one more question honest!!!! When he enlisted in 1915 he was nearly 36 years of age. I can't trace him on a Census in England after 1891 so I was assuming he must have emigrated sometime after that period. I am now wondering if he was in the Army and serving abroad as he didn't show up on the Census do you think that could be a possibility? I think what could have made him join up in Dec 1915 was his younger brother Frank got killed in France serving in the Cheshire Regiment in Oct of that year he was only 21, leaving a widow and a young son.On Ellis's Will all his personel belongings were left to Franks Widow. The family knew that Ellis had emigrated for a better life. It seems ironic that he went to Australia for a better life and ended up getting shippped back to Eurpoe and killed (so sad). Thankyou so much for your help. Promise I won't pester you again. Regards Cheryl

Hi Cheryl, Is the Telegram written in five letter groups ,with an occasional X or XX at the end of a word or group of words? Jane

Cheryl, No problem to ask more questions. Short answer is of course I don't know, but it could be possible. However look at the arithmatic - aged 35 in 1915 means born 1880. Joining the army at say 16, means enlisting in 1896. It could explain why he was not on the 1901 census, but at age 11 he should be on the 1891 census. Due to his 16 years service he must have therefore only recently emigrated to Aus at the time of WW; let us say in 1913. 1913 less 16 years in the army = enlisting in 1897, so not far short of the previous calculation based on birth year. So I think he was only in Aus a year or two. His reasons for enlisting may well be as you suggest, in the absence of firm proof we can only speculate. In 1901 he may well have been in South Africa for the Boer War. Ian

Hi Ian What youv'e said does make sense he was born in 1880 which ties in with everything. I have got him in 1891 listed as an apprentice Blacksmith which agrees with whats on his papers. Now all I've got to do is read up the Boer War lol!!! One thing about tracing your family tree you get a history lesson as well. Thanks for your help Cheryl

Hi Jane Sorry no XX or five letter words ending with XX The Telegram is headed PRIORITY To DEFENCE MELBOURNE and signed for by the Brigadier General Here is what it says on the first line: CISL 3649 odiable silverod moblavod vugiary arabesk 1918 then there is another 11 lines of Similiar with the odd name that I can make out such as Sergeant WALTERS Arthur Norman But my Uncles name is not in it as I can work out. Its really buggling me any suggestions? Cheryl

Hi Cherly, I,ll think about that one. It's obviously a private/military code ,Though I wouldn't have thought High Security. I will do a little search around . Don't hold your breath tho'!! Jane

Hi Jane I tried Google and various translations ie Latin/French/Germany but nothing appearing appart form a group called Silvergod lol!!! I think i'll post another message asking for code Breakers and see if anyone can help. I'm out of idea's!!!!! If you can turn anything up will be really gratefull Thanks for trying Cheryl

Cheryl, Not that it breaks your code, but Sgt Walters was another casualty, although of 1918. He is also listed on CWGC. Looks like the message was dealing with such casualties, however best to ask the Australian MOD - they will likely explain to you its meaning. Ian

Hi Ian Thanks again Just posted another message I'm hoping someone more knowlegable than me can work it out!!! Will use the Australian MOD as a last resort as it took 5 mths to get papers through. Regards Cheryl

Cheryl Try the Australian War Memorial: http://www(.)awm(.)gov(.)au/ Maybe they could help? Ian