WW1 records explained.

[Gwebb1]

The WW1 commemorations have prompted me to look again at some of the military records I have and I am hoping one of you can help me understand them better.

Firstly, a record for Peter Morris shows he enlisted into the Liverpool Rifles 9th Battalion (no. 2160) on 5th August 1914. Would I be right in assuming he would have been a volunteer rather than a conscriptee?
He was discahrged due to 'sickness' 2/11/1916 - his grandson thinks he suffered shell shock at the Somme so could 'sickness' be a euphamism for this?

Secondly, Charles Edward Maddox enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (no. 20545) on 4/07/915 and was discharged due to 'sickness' on 10/08/1916. At first I did not think he had received any medals but the Silver War Badge Records show he was awarded this (no. 59592) but that he had not served overseas.
What was the War Badge given for and what would Charles have been doing if he was not sent abroad?

As always, I look forward to learning something new!

Glen

[Bertieone]

Hope this helps,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recruitmen ... _World_War

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_War_Badge

[daggers]

9th Battalion KLR was part of the Territorial Force, based in Bootle. Conscription was not introduced until 1916, so yes, he volunteered.
Sickness could cover many things.

The Silver War Badge could be for wounds or sickness, and overseas service was not necessary to qualify.

D

[Gwebb1]

Thanks, Bertieone and Daggers. The web sites were informative and although I knew about the 'white feathers', I did not know about the Silver War Badge.

What would Charles Maddox have done in the war if he did not go abroad and would he still have been based in Liverpool?

Also, did the 9th Battalion KLR serve in the Somme?

Glen.

[Bertieone]

Glen,

http://www.9thkings.co.uk/index.html

[daggers]

The Warwickshires, like all infantry regiments, had a number of battalions and it is most unlikely that Maddox would have remained in Liverpool. There would be a great deal of training for home-based units, also adminstration, guarding vital areas etc. Without knowing which battalion of the Warwickshires he served in, it is difficult to add more.

D

[Gwebb1]

Thanks for your help, Daggers. I feel I have learnt a lot and I feel rather ashamed that I never really thought about the different roles the men took during WW1.


Sorry for the delay in replying - I've been on holiday!
G.