Genealogy Chat

Can anyone on here help me out with a query about military records, specifically the WW1 Pension Records on Ancestry?

I have found mention of my G.G.Father showing his WW1 record, when he was called back as a territorial. On there it mentions that he previously served 12 years in what looks like "The Buffs". This is shown in the index as a 5 page document.
Following this is a seperate, 4 page, record showing the service record of someone of the same name, showing their regular service record of 12 years, again in what looks like The Buffs.
If anyone out there is familiar with these records, can they advise whether it sounds right that these two records are for the same man or is this likely to just be a coincidence?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

The Buffs are the nick name for one of the Kent regiments - it think the East Kent Regiment

These records you have should have a service number - is there anything that looks like it could be a service number, there usually near the top
Thanks
Rachel

They are probably for the same man. His pre WW1 service records would have been amalgamated with his WW1 records. So if the regiment on the earlier set of papers agrees with what was said on his Attestation for WW1 and his place and year of birth agree, then it will be the same person.

Thanks to you both.

Rachel - There are service numbers on both documents. They are different though - I was hoping that was because when he was called back up for WW1, it was 10 years after he left, so maybe they would give him a new number (???)

Ann - The exact DoBs are not stated, but the ages seem to corrolate. Place of birth is only shown on his original papers.

Is there anyway (either online or at ?Kew?) to check this further? This branch has had me beat for a while, so to confirm birth places and dates, as well as next of kin that is shown on the initial papers would be brilliant.

Rob

He would have got a new number when he rejoined or changed regiment. In my experince I would agree with Ann that the record you have is of the same man - how to ensure that it's your relation may not be that straight forward.

As with all army records some are very detailed and other show the miniumn - if what you have shows attestation dates, next of kin, medal entitlement, locations of service etc. then you'll probably not get anything better by visiting Kew. Other than to look at what you already have electronically. There may be other records ie muster rolls, medal entitlement registers for his regiment, but that's not going to help you identify your relation.

WO/363 are the 'Burnt Records' this series of WW1 (1914 - 1920 service and sometime service prior to 1914 ) War Office records were destroyed by fire in WW2. IF and its a BIG if your GGfathers service record service record survived, only 33,000 did, it MAY be in this series which is available at Kew.

I think the Pension record you have is from WO/364, which is probably the best you're going to get - sorry.

If you PM me with what you have I'd be happy to take a look and give you some pointers
Thanks
Rachel