Worcestershire Regiment

I am trying to research my G uncle William Ashley Barnett, 2nd Battalion Worcesters, 3 regimental numbers, 16189, 71867, 5240959

He is understood to have been twice a POW in WW1 and escaped and maybe wounded. Quite in which order is unknown.This may explain his 3 reg. numbers although there may well have been promotions which may have been the reason

Hi Jeff,

During World War 1 he served with the Worcestershire Regiment first as Lance Corporal and then Corporal. He first went to France on the 19th April 1915.

After World War 1, William Ashley Barnett served with the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. On the 16th November 1927 he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major and on the 4th February 1933 was made Regiment Quartermaster Sergeant of the 2nd Battalion.

In 1933 he was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (for 18 years service).

In 1933 he returned back to the UK suffering from ill health and was admitted to the Royal Victroria Hospital, Netley where he died on the 30th October 1933.

Hope the above is of some help.

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)

Dear Louis
Thank you for your prompt reply and the information on William Ashley Barnett

Is there any record of his time, location or circumstances of his capture and subsequent escapes from German P O W camps?

How did he come to have 3 regimental numbers? was this related to his promotions or to his relocation after escaping capture?

The 5240959 number is from the 1920's renumbering of the army. THe Worcestershire Regiment was in the bracket 5239001 - 5328000.

Kind regards,
Lars

Thank you

The other numbers, there are 3 in total, 2 can be accounted for by the army renumbering but the other is a mystery, could this be from his POW wscapades?

Do you have any information or detail on where he might have been captured or the circumstances of his escapes?

Hi Jeff

I have found a reference in the 10 March 1917 edition of the Worcester Herald of. 16189 Cpl W. Barnett - Kingswood, Bristol Wounded. I will let you know if I find anything about him as a POW.

Regards Allan

Thank you

I also have found a newspaper cutting recording his funeral in Herson Cemetary, Torpoint, Nr Plymouth

Not sure which paper or the date but it mentions that he was wounded 3 times, shot in the leg by the Germans whilst escaping as a POW and his ship returning him home was torpedoed & sunk
His funeral firing party was under the command of Regt Sergeant Major Price

There has to be photos in the regimental archives somewhere