38424 Pte James Gaffney - unknown Battalion

[charlie]

I‘m looking for any further info on the above Manchesters soldier, apart from his Labour Corps number - 648437 - I‘ve drawn a blank on any further information regarding military career.

He was born 22nd December 1879 in Ardwick, married Edith Henrietta Wade and was according to the family a Boer War veteran. If he was it would appear his service was not with the Regiment.

From information on the postcards he sent, he was in France May/June 1917 and on HM HS Aberdonian in October 1917 on his way to Western General Hospital Cardiff after loosing a finger.

The attached photo was taken on 1st December 1916.

Not much to go on I know but any further information would be greatly appreciated.

Charlie

[Tim Bell]

Nothing helps with the WFA Cards Charlie,
38421 Robinson and 38425 Gribbin were both older Derby Scheme recruits who trained with 3rd Bttn and joined the BEF on 12/01/1917, with Gribbin being posted to 23rd Bttn.
While a similar age, Gaffney may have joined the BEF in a different draft so not much substance really.

[charlie]

Many thanks Tim. As you point out those with near numbers were scattered among various battalions.

Charlie

[mack]

hiya chaz
theres no battalion number list in the medal roll,is it possible he hadnt been assigned to a battalion and was transferred to the labour corps shortly after his training was finished

he lived close to ardwick barracks at the time of his marriage in 1908 and the church he was married in[st.thomas] was the 8th manchesters chapel

mack

[charlie]

Thanks Mack
Roy‘s list of LC numbers suggest a transfer in the second half of 1918.

Charlie