2nd Lt Glenn Handley WIA with? 2nd Bn no later than 15 April '18.

[Sapper117]

Trying to track movements of grandfather  was commissioned into Regt 1917 and at some stage he transferred to MGC but i would assume if he did it would be the 32 Bn MGC. Unfortunatly there is almost nothing recorded anywhere for this unit. I have a copy of the standard military post card sent to his best friend dated 15 apl 18 indicated he was wounded and in or going to hospital so it would be an operation before that date (just). As I'm not sure if he was MGC at that stage I thought I would try with the Regt first. He remained in service until 1922 with MGC before leaving the regular forces. He was mobilised in Aug 39 as OC A Coy &th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was fatally wounded moving his `Coy back to support Bn HQ in the famous battle of Franleu as part of the 51st Highland Div
Any ideas thoughts or help would be appreciated

[Tim Bell]

Hi Sapper,
War Diary of 2nd Bn attached. 2/Lt Handley was wounded on 14/04/1918, in the front line near Ayette.
I suggest you upload the free Bn War Diary sections from the National Archives site.  There may be earlier references to him, probably noting when he arrived for duty.
It's interesting to think of the connection between your grandfather and his peer, Wilfred Owen. It would be worth checking Owen's records because he certainly mentioned other officers in his documents.
Welcome to the forum.
Tim

[Sapper117]

Tim
Thank you for such a complete and quick response to my query. I note the comment re Wilfred Owen and will carry this forward, incidently whilst at Oxford in the 20s he formed a friendship with Arthur Ransom
I now need to try and find when he transferred to the MGC so will take your advice re the records

[Tim Bell]

Hi Sapper,
You should apply of his service record from the MoD.  These don't show the full picture but should fill some gaps. 
I looked on the National Archives and couldn't find his record, which is probably still protected due to the second war service.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records
Please let us know what you find.
Tim

[Sapper117]

Thank you
I have been into the site and Army records are taking over a year!!
My research and items left to me tell me he at some stage transferred to MGC however the records for MGC are almost no existent most records being written privately after the war with very few Coy/Bn diaries being kept or surviving the blitz in 1940. Unfortunatly assuming he moved to the supporting MGC for the Div(32nd) this is one of the units that appears to have left no records. I suspect re WIlfred Owen he did not return to the Regt until July 18 so I suspect my grandfather may have missed him (but this would depend on when/if he returned to the 2nd Bn so I will have to wait for the Army records.

[Tim Bell]

I was thinking 2/Lt Handley may have met Owen in 1917, prior Wilfred being evacuated in May.  Having seen his service record I can see Glenn Commissioned 25/09/1917, so agree they didn't cross paths in the Regiment. The MIC says he arrived in France 05/12/1917.  I couldn't spot a date when he arrived with the Bn in the field.  I'd guess 7-14 days.

[charlie]

The War Diary for 32 Bn MGC can be downloaded from the TNA
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353749

Charlie