Hugh Arundale 4001, 12th Battalion

[Angus]

I'm trying to find out more about my grandfather Hugh Arundale's service during WW1. Can't find anything relevant in the National Archives, but I do have his army 'small book' and a few letters, from which I understand he enlisted into the 12th Battalion right at the start of the war, as private #4001, and he survived the war.
I'm intrigued by several aspects of his paperwork; he appears to have been in northern France (Beauval, Somme) on 5th August 1914 i.e. the day before war was declared – as a young working class man from Manchester I can't imagine why he was there, perhaps it's just a huge coincidence? Then he seems to have travelled back to Manchester and immediately signed up with the 12th Manchesters in August 1914. From his service number '4001' I guess he must have been the first in line when the recruiting office doors opened! Other sources suggest the battalion wasn't formed until the next month (September), so how come he enlisted before this? His small book then doesn't detail anything beyond the start date of his home service, even though he served on until 1918, and was promoted at some point to Corporal. By 1918 a letter indicates that he was still in service but back in Manchester, and seconded to Armstrong Whitworth on some kind of war work, and approached by the Admiralty to transfer onto different war work for them (but the Army refused to release him).

Can anyone shed any light on what Hugh is likely to have been doing during his service, given the early enlistment, and lack of any details in his service book despite 4 years serving?

[pete th]

Please find attached a photograph of Hugh Arundale in uniform.

[pete th]

Hugh Arundale's Small Service Book

[Tim Bell]

Hi Angus,
There is no evidence Hugh served overseas, probably due to issues with fitness.  This would explain why he ended posted to working reserve. 

The only new info I found was his entry in the Mather & Platt Roll of Honour on FMP. This shows he had been posted to 3rd Bn from 12th Bn.  This was originally the Special Reserve, intended to train men for the Regulars.  It soon became a general training Bn, with responsibility for the Humber Defences at Cleethorpes.  3rd Bn was also an unwelcome posting for men recuperating after wounds.

Welcome to the Forum.

Tim

[Angus]

Many thanks Tim, very useful information. I did know that he worked at Mather & Platt at some point, according to my mother whilst working for them he broke his leg and they promptly sacked him (no sick pay back then!). Having looked into the activities of the 12th Battalion, I guess I'll now go and research the 3rd as well. Thanks once again.