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Charles Robert Walsh RMA query

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WoolieHE
Posts: 22
Joined: 22 Jul 2020, 13:36

Charles Robert Walsh RMA query

Post by WoolieHE »

Can anyone work out where Charles Robert Walsh was posted 6 March 1902? He joined Royal Army Medical corps. Service number 1850. (found on FMP).

Any help with wording on Charles' service records would be gratefully received.
Thank you
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VALLMO9
Posts: 757
Joined: 13 Jun 2020, 21:28

Re: Charles Robert Walsh RMA query

Post by VALLMO9 »

Looks like: Posted to Embodied Unit...Discharged & Appointed 3/C Orderly 6 March 1902 to 10 April 1902. Then "Discharged having been found medically unfit for further service" on 10 April 1902.

In the last column (above right) - "Completed 49 days drill on enlistment". Attestation Corps in which served: "Medical Staff Corps".
In the Battalion column it says: "Home District (late Surrey) Company". Their headquarters were Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot.

This wouldn't be the Charles Robert Walsh who served with the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport) during WWI? Service number: 321617.
Address: 57 Railroad Road, Teddington. Discharged on 9 January 1919 due to Epilepsy. This chap's service record also includes "Maintenance Order Payment" details for a child born in 1916.
WoolieHE
Posts: 22
Joined: 22 Jul 2020, 13:36

Re: Charles Robert Walsh RMA query

Post by WoolieHE »

Thank you so much for your help VALLMO9. Yes it is the same Charles Robert Walsh at 57 Railway Road Terrace. Appears he was also in the Royal Marines (found at FMP) prior to ASC, although his age is a couple of years older than it should be. He was actually born May 1884.

He must have had an epileptic fit to have been discharged from service the first time. Would they not have had access to this information when he enlisted in 1914? Or were they relying on information told to them by the applicant? He obviously managed to get through the war reasonably well, other than being gassed in 1918.
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VALLMO9
Posts: 757
Joined: 13 Jun 2020, 21:28

Re: Charles Robert Walsh RMA query

Post by VALLMO9 »

According to a 2013 TNA blog:

"From January 1916 (when conscription came into effect), until November 1917, medical examinations would take place under the control of the military. The Appeal Tribunals came to recognise that increasing numbers of medically unsuitable men were being passed fit for service by examiners trying to meet the pressures of replenishing front-line forces; this included passing men who had previously been medically discharged from the Army. In November 1917 the examinations passed to civilian control where each man was given a numbered grade depending on their suitability for service ranging from 1 (fit for service) to 4 (totally unfit for service)".
WoolieHE
Posts: 22
Joined: 22 Jul 2020, 13:36

Re: Charles Robert Walsh RMA query

Post by WoolieHE »

Thank you VALLMO9 for this additional information I am very grateful for your assistance.
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