TOPIC:

Iwould welcome any help in identifying the service of my grandfather, Herbert Atack. While researching his WWI service, I discovered that he had previously enlisted on 20th April 1898 with the York And Lancashire Regiment, Service no. 7871. He was born in Morley in 1875 or 1876, but played 'fast and loose' with his year of birth, identifying it as 1879 on the Attestation. Given the date of enlistment, I have assumed he fought in the Second Boer War. Thank you in advance.

Hello Pops
Welcome to the forum.
Your Grandfather served in the 3rd Battalion York and Lancs regiment during the Boer War.
Private 7871. Entitled to the Queens South Africa medal with Cape Colony clasp and 1902 date clasp.
Looking at his WW1 service records, your Grandfather seems to be colourful character and went on to serve in France and Belgium with the KOYLI and then the Labour Corps.
Hope I have the right man? A Bootmaker by trade?

Best wishes

Dave......

Hi,

Well, I can happily confirm that I was able to locate his Queen's South Africa (QSA) medal entitlement on the Campaign Medal and Award Roll (WO100/200) for the 3rd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment, which was signed off on the 28th August 1903, see below. From this Roll, he was entitled to the Cape Colony and SA1902 clasps.


There is a further Roll on Ancestry which also includes 7871 Private H. Atack, dated 21st June 1902, but offers no further information. I don't have access to Find my Pass site, but you might be fortunate in that there could be his service record available online which will assist greatly in further research of your grandfather.

Trev

Hi Dave,

You beat to the punch.
Trev

Teamwork Trev
Many thanks for the medal rolls.


Dave......

That's him, Dave. He was, indeed, a boot and shoe maker and repairer. He was a Bantam (5' 2"), and I am just reading his WWI service between June 1916and 1917, before he went into the Labour Corps.
The medal information is really interesting.