My youngest uncle, born c1910, was in the Royal Hampshire Regiment during the war, but I cannot find out much about him, not even his number, except that he was in Germany in 1945; any suggestions where I go next? Ednamay
What Battalion? If you don't know you'd need to obtain a copy of his service records at a cost of £30.
Ednamay Whilst waiting for his records to appear try the Regimental Association and the museum and see if he is recorded in their rolls and records. This may give you his service number and from that you can start to flesh out his war service. His name would also help the forum members.
Presumably he's the one born 1st Qtr 1909 in Hartley Wintney? Married Ivy J Cross 4th Qtr 1937 in Reading? Possibly Christine Ambrose 4th Qtr 1966 in Wokingham? Death registered in Reading 3rd Qtr 1970? Had 2 elder brothers, Charles Henry, and William, killed in WW1? ... but I can't find anything on him!! Any idea as to when he enlisted, was he wounded, home on leave, anything significant in any "family stories" about what and where he was in the War? Did he mention any battles or special occasions during Remembrance Services etc? Anything you can to put flesh on some very bare bones!!
Looks like he was more than likely in the 7th Battalion, this from Talk member James Dalys blog. The 7th Hants was part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division, and were grouped with the 4th and 5th Dorsets in 130th Brigade. They landed in France on 22 June, and were initially in reserve. In July the 7th Hants went into action in the bitter bocage fighting, culminating in the capture of Mont Pincon. The Battalion was then involved in the breakout and the great swan across France, before being involved in the latter stages of Operation Market Garden. After rest the 7th Hants took part in the battle of the Reichswald in February 1945. After crossing the Rhine on 24 March 1945 they ended the war at Barkhausen in Germany, between Bremen and Hamburg.Portsmouth’s WW2 Dead – The Hampshire Regiment in focus « Daly History Blog
Germany 1945, most likely a 7th Bn man in the 43rd Wessex Div. In WW2 they were still the Hampshire Regiment , never became 'Royal' until after the war.
Many thanks, one at a time - 1 Need more basic info before requesting service record; don’t know the battalion 2. I will try the Regimental Association; name, Jack Crumplin, don’t have another name 3. Yes, he is Jack Crumplin, born Hartley Wintney 1909, married Ivy Jessie Cross in Reading in 1937. Older brother one William killed France 1914, older brother two Albert no information except he married Yorkshire girl and moved to Ilkley and silence. - No Charles. Little contact with Jack after the war, he was busy making a living, I was staggering through school. 4. I will check the 7th Hants info, looks promising, I think he was with early waves landing in France and spent some time in Germany - Occupation Force? Thanks to all, Ednamay Drew5233, Oldman, KevinW4, wtid45, Owen
Will see if I can find his name among my 7th Hampshire records, regarding the fighting in Holland, can recall the name in my booklet
EdnaMay: My apologies, obviously there were 2 William Crumplin families in Hartley Wintney: Name: CRUMPLIN, CHARLES HENRY. Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Bedfordshire Regiment. Unit Text: 8th Bn. Age: 41. Date of Death: 17/06/1917. Service No: 33202 Additional information: Son of William Crumplin, of Hartley Wintney, Basingstoke; husband of Adela Crumplin, of Batford Mills, Harpenden, Herts. Grave/Memorial Reference: I. R. 38. Cemetery: PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE Name: CRUMPLIN, WILLIAM. Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Hampshire Regiment. Unit Text: 1st Bn. Age: 27. Date of Death: 02/11/1914. Service No: 7619 Additional information: Son of William G and Ellen Crumplin, of Cricket Green, Hartley Wintney, Basingstoke. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 6. Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL I saw the father's name was the same and assumed they were brothers. My apologies!
Jack Crumplin was born on the 6th Feb 1909, so this will allow you to apply for his service records. Name: Jack Crumplin Birth: 6 Feb 1909 Death: Reading, Berkshire, England Death: Jul-Aug-Sep 1970 1911 Census Person: CRUMPLIN, Jack Address: Cricket Green Hartley Wintney CRUMPLIN, William Head Married16 years M 46 1865 Labourer General Winchfield Hants CRUMPLIN, Elenor Wife Married F 43 1868 Elvetham Hants CRUMPLIN, Albert Son Single M 15 1896 Errand Boy Grocery Business Hartley Row Hants CRUMPLIN, Gertrude Daughter F 13 1898 School Hartley Row Hants CRUMPLIN, Louisa Daughter F 11 1900 School Hartley Row Hants CRUMPLIN, Flowerance Daughter F 9 1902 School Hartley Row Hants CRUMPLIN, Jessy May Daughter F 7 1904 School Hartley Row Hants CRUMPLIN, Jack Son M 2 1909 Hartley Row Hants
Thank you, Philip. Kevin and Englandphil. The exact dates are very helpful. Yes, he was the son of William and Elenor (known as Ellen), and his sister Gertrude Ellen was my mother; none of his siblings remains alive. He remained the youngest. It is interesting that these records carry the old name, Hartley Row, instead of the later name, Hartley Wintney; rumour has it that there was a ROW of coaching inns at this half-way post between Southampton and London on the A30. Ednamay
Thanks Philip; My cousin has just replied to my email for information:- "My Dad was RASCXXwith a field ambulance unitXnot infantry." Seeking continues ! ! ! Edna
