I notice there are 3 regimental numbers here.
What I know so far is that Frederick Hide was transferred from the Royal Sussex Regiment to the 2/6th RWR and then eventually to the rank of Sergeant.
A local Sussex paper (Argus) dated 23rd January 1917 reports him as a casualty with service number 5532 with rank shown as a Corporal
I have his Medal SWB reference but only with the service number 241756 listed.
Can anyone explain the number changes and given these additional numbers, what further information may be available?
What is the best route for medical records? I have a feeling he was injured twice - gas then a serious heel wound which must have finished his front line service.
Nick,
The change from 2903 to 5532 came on 27 June 1916, when a number of men were transferred to the 2/6th Royal Warwicks. This was a batch of men from the 2/4th Hampshire and 2/4th Royal Sussex, who had gone to France 21-22 May 1916. (Terrible timing for them, for they went in action at Fromelles just three weeks later). The change from 5532 to 241756 was in the spring of 1917 when men serving in TF infantry units were renumbered.
The 4th Royal Sussex number 2903 relates to enlistment around 16 November 1914.
The SGA and 11/M numbers are codes relating to issue of a disability pension.
Thanks Chris
This has really helped me piece this together. I’ll look a little deeper into the action at Fromelles. Plus his earlier enlistment into the 2/4th Royal Sussex. He was from Chichester so all this is making sense.
It would be great to know more about his casualty status but the chances are probably slim considering the surviving records available plus an initial search hasn’t given any details.
