2nd VBMR Help

[hebbo]

Hi all
Hope you might be able to help.

I am trying to research my Great Grandfather Edward Gerald Grove THOMPSON. He was an Australian engineer Sergeant with service in the AIF. I have obtained his Australian Army service records for his service, on his attestation form he has listed under previous military experience: Yes, 1 year 6 months Officer T.C. and 2 years 2nd VBMR, England

I believe that this is Officer Training Corps and that 2nd VBMR means 2nd Volunteer Battalion Manchester Regiment. My research indicates that 2nd VBMR had a Company that was responsible for training officers: Manchester University Company or N Company. Could this be the same Officer T.C.?

He was an electrical engineer before the war and family legend has it that he studied in this field at Manchester, possibly the Manchester Municipal School of Technology (although this is speculation on my behalf). It is possible that where he studied had an officer cadet unit attached! I don't know his date of birth but estimate that he was born about 1884; he was 32 on enlistment into the AIF.

I would be interested in finding out if he exists on any officers lists or if he is listed as a member of the 2nd VBMR. Any suggestions would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.

Regards

Chris

[harribobs]

hi chris

welcome to the group

2nd VBMR would certainly be the 2nd volunteer battalion manchester regiment, in 1908 they were re-named the 6th battalion terriorial force. their HQ was at no 3 stretford road, hulme, manchester ( very close to the university)

i was not aware that the 2nd VB had a officer training section, certainly manchester university had an OTC but i was aware of any connection.

i have a army list for 1900 and (not surprisingly) he's not on that, so i suppose you should be looking for a list which is prior to the changes in 1908 i would have thought, hopefully someone else on the forum may have a copy

i tried to look at his aussie records myself tonight but i could get the search page up 

cheers

(another) chris

[hebbo]

Thanks Chris for the prompt response!

I got the information for the Officer training company from this site:

www.army.mod.uk/uotc/uotc/find_your_uotc/history.html

It appears that the Company's links to 2 VBMR were pre 1908.

Chris

[harribobs]

After the Boer war, the Company was retitled the Manchester University Company, and later N Company of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. Under the Haidane Reforms of 1908, N Company was renamed The Manchester University Officers' Training Corps, with a strength of 90 cadets.

how interesting!  ( they've spelt Haldane wrong though  ) we're certainly looking at pre 1908!

[Robert Bonner]

The Owens College Company of the 2nd VB was formed in 1898 with a Captain Thorburn being gazetted to command. Later, after Owens College became the University of Manchester, it developed into the Officers Training Corps.

The OTC continues, in strength, to this day in University Barracks - built on the site of the old Volunteer Battalion HQ on Stretford Road.

[hebbo]

G'day all,

Does anyone have a copy of the 1904 Army List, and would my man be included on that list?  Do the lists include officer cadets?

Thanks again

Chris

[sphinx]

If your relative was in the Owens College Coy, 2VB Manchester Regiment he will not appear on any Army List. 
The members of the Coy. were not Officer Cadets, just  privates and of course also students at Manchester University Owens College.
The officers of this Coy. were usually Professors at Manchester University.
In 1904 Captain F.H. Westrmacott was OIC.
It was not until 1908 when the Company was removed from the Manchester Regiment and transferred to the Senior contingent of the OTC that the members became officer cadets.

regards

[harribobs]

i'm afriad this doesn't help your search but it's a list of company officers for the 2nd VB Mounted Infantry Company