24th Foot service numbers

Subject: 24th Foot service numbers Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:28 am

Does anyone know the meaning of service numbers of the 1879 period?

Let's say, for example, a soldier of this time may have the service number 301, another 24B/301.

1. What does the 24B mean?

2. Would the 301 would be the numerical order of enlistment from a particular date? Or would it be like the squad number in a battalion, that once vacated, the next soldier to enlist would inherit? (Rather like numbers 1 - 22 in a rugby union squad)

Cheers
Tasker

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 58 Location : UK

Quote :: 24B mean?

I would have thought this was the 24th Battlion

Quote :: 2. Would the 301

And this the person service number.

Subject: Re: 24th Foot service numbers Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:09 pm

Thanks for the thoughts, John.

Take the example of Thomas Askew, no. 25B/303 of the 1/24th , previously named on this forum.

What does 25B mean? 303 being the service number, is he the 303rd soldier from a particular date? Or did the 1/24th have say 500 numbers? Let's say all 500 numbers were in use, the battalion would be full. If number 303 was discharged, would the next soldier in then take number 303?

Hope my Q is clear!

Tasker 224

Posts : 3057 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Tasker224

I can only help with the 25B

It stands for Brigade Number, have a look at the top right in the below picture from the 1880 Harts Army List

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Posts : 3057 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Tasker224

This may help with regimental numbers, examples from the 46th regiment

http://www.hargreave-mawson.demon.co.uk/DCLINos.html

Subject: Re: 24th Foot service numbers Thu Feb 24, 2011 8:00 pm

Thank you very much 1879Graves - i think that explains it!

Much obliged

Tasker224

Posts : 3057 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Tasker224

Here is an example of Regimental Numbers using 1812 Private John Down, 1st 24th.

He enlisted at Taunton on 10 August 1877, for the 35th Brigade, and transferred to the 1st 24th Foot on 22 February 1879, serving with the regiment in South Africa from 2nd March to 1st October, 1879. He transferred to the 32nd Foot on 1st February 1880, and was discharged in August 1883, after which he served for a further six years on the Army Reserve.

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Service Record of John Down

1st Service Number 35B/691 (Correct with the list below)
2nd Service Number 25B/1812 (Have not got 24th Regimental numbers to check)
3rd Service Number 35B/1491(Correct with the list below)

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35th Brigade Numbers

Subject: Re: 24th Foot service numbers Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:49 am

Many thanks again,1879Graves, I think I understand it now.
Can I ask where you got the list of service numbers? (I would guess the numbers would follow a similar trend for other similar regiments of that time). i will compare some medals to other regimants in my collection to see how number/enlistment date ties in with your list, just for interest sake!
best regards
tasker