John Rees No 1710

[marknewell]

My Grandfather, John Rees enlisted in the Regiment on April 7th, 1904 at Aberdare, Glamorgan when he was nineteen. Ten years later he emigrated to the US. I am trying to fill in the years between and have contacted research services - but if anyone else is researching this individual or has information I'd appreciate it greatly.

[scully]

Hi Mark,

Service details of John Rees as follows:
AMMENDED
Thought at first he was with the Worcestershire Regiment but a closer look showed he was with the Dorset Regiment. It is easy to confuse Dorsetshire Regiment with Worcestershire Regiment as when they are hand written they may look very similar.

Enlisted in to the Dorset Regiment at Aberdare, Glamorgan on 7th April 1904 (age stated as 19), joining the Regiment at Dorchester on the 13th April 1904 and posted to the Depot.
His service number was 7210 (The number you quoted is wrong).

Posted to the 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment on the 8th July 1904.
Posted to the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment on the 9th December 1906.
Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 14th January 1907.
Transferred to Army Reserves on the 6th April 1907.
Mobolised on the 5th August 1914.
Posted to the 3rd Battalion Dorset Regiment on the 8th August 1914.
Promoted to Corporal on the 8th August 1914.
Appointed Lance Sergeant on the 30th August 1914.
Appointed unpaid Sergeant on the 12th February 1915.
Promoted to Sergeant on the 11th December 1915.
Transferred to the Machine Gun Training Centre on the 15th February 1916.
Transferred to the 3rd Battalion Dorset Regiment on the 23rd March 1916.
Transferred to the Depot of Dorset Regiment on the 23rd August 1916.
Transferred to Army Reserve Z Class on the 2nd March 1919.
It appears that he spent all his service with the Army in the U.K.

He married Susan Elizabeth Harris on the 15th June 1913 at Aberdare. His wife died on the 13th June 1918.
His service Record also show him with the Alias of Ernest John Rees.
He died on the 10th March 1959 at Sandon House, 429 Serpentine Road, Tenby. The death certificate states he was a Retired Engine Driver with British Railways.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Louis

[marknewell]

Louis, thanks so much - what a fantastic result! The information matches my John Rees up to 1914. We have records then of his emigration to the US in July of that year year. He returned some years later after failing to hear from his wife - to discover that she and one of his two daughters had died. He was married to a Stella Evans of Hirwaun, Glamorgan. He died in 1930 at Canterbury, Kent. Since the initial data appears so accurate as to age, birth and occupation, I am wondering if there could be any confusion with Ernest John Rees who clearly a different person? Thanks again for looking this up, your archives are a great resource. Regards, Mark

[scully]

Hi Mark,

Yes it could be that there was also a mix up with a Private Ernest John Rees (9986) who served with the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment but this person died of wounds on the 9th October 1914.

Regards,

Louis