TOPIC:

Hello Des,
You did not state the soldiers name in your original post, I assumed you were talking about a single man rather than two differing ones in two completely differing formations, a soldiers number was given by his regiments battalion and was, almost always, unique to him whilst actually serving with that battalion, the Militia was not the Army, if John Ward had joined earlier he might have volunteered for service in South Africa with either the 1st or 2nd RDF, but, his papers prove, absolutely beyond all reasonable doubt, that he did not and of course, show that he was not in the 2nd Battalion RDF.
Regards Frank

djt78 wrote: Hi Frank,

Date of enlistment comes from his service papers. His date of death is listed in the regimental history and medal roll. I'm more inclined to think the date of enlistment is wrong somehow but I have never seen a mistake with this info in service papers before?

Regards,

Des

Removed due to the antagonistic replies from an individual forum member. Research discussion moved to a more friendly venue.

Removed due to the antagonistic replies from an individual forum member. Research discussion moved to a more friendly venue.

Morning Des

A reservist is not the same as a militia soldier. A reservist is a regular soldier who has done a minimum 5 years with the colours and then transferred to the Reserves for the remaining period of his 12 year enlistment. While on the Reserves he is liable for call up.

This fits with Ward the Regular, his number suggests this. Check "armyservicenumbers" blogspot for an approximate enlistment year.

This weekend I'll check out the fatalities on the regimental memorial.

Regards

Removed due to the antagonistic replies from an individual forum member. Research discussion moved to a more friendly venue.

Hello Des,
No, you are very clearly talking about TWO completely different men, look again at WO96, note, in particular, the numeral 3, written in pencil, before the word Battalion at the top of the first page!
Regards again,
Frank

djt78 wrote: Hi Frank,

I was talking about a single man. It was Meurig who made the suggestion that 2 men with the same surname were being confused here. As the account by Lt Renny previously posted proves, there was a reservist called Ward with the 2nd Battalion who died during the Siege of Ladysmith.

Best wishes,

Des