William Ernest Corey

[VCJ]

I am interested in finding any information on William Ernest Corey who I know was in the Worcestershire Regiment, Reg No. 23172. It appears that he was a "regular soldier" who served through WW1 and was probably alive in 1922, although he was deceased in 1947. He was born in 1894 in All Saints, Birmingham, so may have joined the regiment around 1910 onwards. He does not appear to have risen above the rank of private.

[scully]

Hi,

His medal index card simply shows he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal which would suggest he did not join until 1916 or later.
The medal reference is Volume L/102B7 Page 1468. The medal rolls are kept at the National Archives at Kew so using this reference you could look him up - it should show which battalion he was with and possibly dates.

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)

[VCJ]

Hi Louis,
My thanks for this. Is it possible to look at the medal rolls on-line or is it necessary to visit NA at Kew?
Regards
John

[scully]

You will need to go to Kew. It is not online.

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)

[allanp]

Hi John

I have found several entries in the Worcester Herald that you may find interesting.

14th May 1917 edition
23172 Pte. W. Corey - Birmingham - Wounded

29th September 1917 edition - Wounded

8th June 1917 edition - Missing

31 August 1918 edition - Prisoner of War.

He may have been a POW since June 1917.

Hope this helps.

Regards Allan

[VCJ]

Hi Allan,
My sincere thanks for this information.
It certainly looks like he was a POW post June 1917. I am assuming that he was fighting in France, but as yet I do not have any confirmation of this. Does the Worcester Herald just list this information, or does it include any additional information?
I will have to start some searches based of the additional information you have found.
Once again, my thanks
Regards
John

[allanp]

Hi John

The information is just a list of casualties, showing the type, name, rank, number & home town. The more information printed, the more the enemy knows.

I have also re read my post and the date he was reported missing should read 8th June 1918 not 17, sorry

Regards Allan

[VCJ]

Thank Allan,
That makes more sense.
Will let you know when I find any more
Regards
John