Why does my soldier have two numbers (or more)?

By Chris BakerArticles

This is a commonly-asked question. Fortunately, the answer is relatively straightforward, and understanding it all can greatly help a researcher when interpreting the man’s story.

First, it is important to understand that at the time of the Great War there was no concept of the soldier retaining his original number for life. This was not introduced until 1920.

There are essentially five possibilities:

Transfers

If a man was transferred from one regiment or corps to another, regardless of the reason, the regulations required him to be renumbered. He ceased to use his existing number and was issued with a new one from the sequence in use by the regiment or corps to which he was being transferred.

Part of a page from a campaign medal roll (National Archives WO329 series, via Ancestry). It shows men who had been transferred to the Royal Defence Corps from other regiments. For example, the top line shows that John Pickup had been Private 3369 with the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) but was renumbered to 81821 when he was transferred.

Re-enlistment

The same logic applied if a man re-enlisted at some point after being discharged. Even if he rejoined the same regiment or corps, the man would usually be given a new number.

Sometimes it is not easy to tell if a number relates to re-enlistment, especially if a man’s service record cannot be found. This is from a Hampshire Regiment campaign medal roll (it is also an excellent example covering several of the different reasons for men having more than one number). Note Frederick Sleigh, who had been with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment but was now Pte 08969 of the Hampshires. His new number traces to him re-enlisting in late July 1919.

Renumbering of the Territorial Force

The situation was even more complex for men who joined the Territorial Force, for they would be renumbered not only if they were transferred to a different regiment or corps, but even if they were posted between Territorial Force units of their own regiment or corps. In 1917 this system was changed and men were issued with new numbers.

This example from a campaign medal roll shows men of the Territorial 5th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, giving their numbers before and after the renumbering. For example, the top line shows that John George Beavis had been Private 5/3156 and became 240679.

For full details of this matter, see The renumbering of the Territorial Force

Renumbering of the Royal Engineers waterways, railways, road and quarrying troops

In 1918, the War Office authorised the renumbering of men serving as Royal Engineers transportation troops units. The new numbers had a “WR” prefix.

From a Royal Engineers campaign medal roll showing the renumbering to WR-prefixed numbers.

The 1920 numbering scheme

New numbers were created for this scheme, and for men already in service it meant replacing their existing number.

For details, see The 1920 numbering scheme

To illustrate the effect of the 1920 is this example from the roll of the India General Service Medal. Thomas Kettle of the North Staffordshire Regiment, formerly Private 9787, was renumbered to 5039256. His number is from the block starting 5038001 which was issued to the regiment to renumber its men in 1920.

Links

A soldiers life

The 1917 renumbering of the Territorial Force

The 1920 numbering scheme