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I wonder if anyone is able to tell me if Ernest joined the Duke of Edinburgh Wilts Reg in 1904 because of conscription at that time or was there a war being fought at the time.
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British Army Service Records 1760-1915 Transcription (from FMP)
First name(s) Ernest William
Last name Griffin
Birth year 1886
Birth parish Clave
Birth town Devizes
Birth county Wiltshire
Birth country England
Service number 7094
Regiment -
Year 1904
Attestation date 03 Nov 1904
Attestation age years 18
Attestation age months 9
Attestation service number 7094
Attestation corps Duke Of Edinburgh'S (Wiltshire Regiment)
Discharge corps Duke Of Edinburgh'S (Wiltshire Regiment)
Document type Attestation
Series Wo 97 - Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913
Archive The National Archives
Archive reference WO 97
Box 4996
Box record number 130
Record set British Army Service Records
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Regimental & service records
Looking at the record it seems he wanted to serve with the Royal Regt. of Artillery when he attested in November 1904, but was considered unfit for that. He transferred to the wilts' Regt within days, signing for 9 years with the Colours plus 3 in the reserves.
He was discharged on payment of £10 in January 1905, so not long serving !!
NOK on documents Father - Mark William Griffin of 27 Cromwell Street, Swindon, wilts and Brother Albert Edward who was younger than himself. A groom at attestation.
The Boer War had ended in 1902, there wasn't conscription at the time as far as I know, perhaps he just wished to serve in the Army.
Google - Wars 1900 onwards -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_1900–44
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Thank you so much that solves the problem we had as my husband was told his grandfather was in the army for a long time but I could find no evidence of this. so thank you once again
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I didn't look beyond that first record last night. (below also from FMP)
?? Did he rejoin in 1910 and was then discharged due to illness in 1917. If it is him, then again no reason for conscription.
The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the "Discharge Badge", the "Wound Badge" or "Services Rendered Badge", was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.
Silver War Badge Roll Transcription
First name(s) Ernest William
Last name Griffin
Service number 33203
Rank Private
Badge number 123200
Enlistment date 01-Aug-1910
Discharge date 24-Jul-1917
Regiment/unit Wilts Regt.
Cause of discharge Sick. 392 xvi
Whether served overseas Yes
Badge date of issue 09-Aug-1917
Record set Silver War Badge Roll 1914-1920
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory First World War
Collections from England, Great Britain
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There is then, which shows the same Service No.
Medal Index Cards Transcription (FMP)
First name(s) Ernest W
Last name Griffin
Year 1914-20
Service number 33203
Rank Private
Regiment Wiltshire Regiment
Service record Soldier Number: 33203, Rank: Private, Corps: Wiltshire Regiment
Image link http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D2458672
Country Great Britain
Medal type British Army Medal Index Cards, 1914-1920
Archive reference WO372/8
Archive reference description Campaign Medal Index Cards and Silver War Badge Cards
Record set Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Medal rolls and honours
Collections from Great Britain, UK None
Shows he was awarded the Victory and British Medals
Ancestry has the Regiment as Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment
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Can't see any actual Service documents for this time. Unfortunately around 70% of WW1 records were destroyed by fire during WW2
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Thank you, I have wrote everything down that you found out for me I am really grateful for your taking time to help.
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