Archive Record
2ND (QUEEN'S ROYAL WEST SURREY REGIMENT) AND 31ST (EAST SURREY REGIMENT) REGIMENTAL RECRUITING DISTRICTS: RECRUITMENT REGISTERS (ARMY BOOK 303), 1908-1933
Reference Number: 2496
Descriptive Information about the Record (click to expand) Provenance Deposited by the Museum of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment, Clandon Park, in August 1980.
-Introduction Regimental Structure
In 1908 under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, the militia raised to defend the country in time of crisis, was abolished and replaced by the 'Special Reserve' and Volunteer Force. Each regiment was now generally to consist of two regular battalions, a reserve battalion formed from the old militia, and volunteer territorial battalions.
After the reforms, the 2nd or Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, based at Guildford, comprised two regular battalions, supported by a 3rd reserve battalion (formerly the 2nd Royal Surrey Regiment of Militia) and the 4th and 5th territorial battalions, which replaced the 1st and 2nd volunteer battalions created in 1881.
The East Surrey Regiment, based at Kingston, comprised two reserve battalions, the 3rd and 4th (formerly the 1st and 3rd Royal Surrey Regiments of Militia), and two territorial battalions, the 5th and 6th, formed from the 2nd and 3rd volunteer battalions. The 5th battalion was raised in Wimbledon, Streatham, Carshalton, Leatherhead, Sutton and Epsom and the 6th battalion in Esher, Richmond, Kingston, Chertsey and Egham.
During the First World War territorial battalions were expanded and subdivided into three, the new units being numbered as the 1/4th, 2/4th, 3/4th etc.
After the outbreak of war in 1914 the army was further greatly expanded through the creation of service and labour battalions: for the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment these were numbered as the 6th through to the 20th; for the East Surrey Regiment these were numbered through from the 7th to the 15th. These battalions were also known as Kitchener's Army and the recruits are recorded in 2496/1-5 below.
The Recruitment Process
According to the 1908 regulations each recruiting officer and his staff 'will keep a register of recruits (AB 303) in which will be entered the names and description of all attested recruits raised by agencies under his orders, whether finally approved by him or by other officers, or rejected on final approval'.
The 1909 enlistment and recruiting regulations stated that 'the officer commanding an infantry depot will direct the recruiting service for both the regular army and the special reserve within the limits of his regimental district, under the orders of the officer in charge of recruiting'. Surrey formed No.10 District in the Eastern Division, which was further divided into two regimental districts, numbered by the regiment's seniority; thus the Royal West Surreys formed No.2 Regimental District, based at Guildford and comprising the parliamentary divisions of Guildford (South West), Chertsey (North West), Reigate (South East), and parts of Epsom (Mid) and Wimbledon (North East). The East Surrey regimental district formed the 31st Regimental District based at Kingston, comprising the remainder of the county's parliamentary constituencies. All but one of these registers relate to the 31st district.
With the great influx of recruits in 1914, more recruiting officers were needed and in the East Surrey regimental area recruiting offices were also established at Richmond, Putney, Wandsworth, Streatham, East Dulwich, Peckham, Upper Norwood, Tooting, Mitcham, Wimbledon, Sutton, East Molesey, Walton on Thames, Epsom and Wallington. These recruitment registers cover these areas and those who were born in the area but attested in other regimental districts.
On 26 July 1915 the army instructed that 'In view of the difficulties experienced by Record and Pay Officers in tracing recruits, and linking the soldier up with his family in the issue of separation and dependants' allowance etc. it has been decided to give to each recruit on enlistment a serial number which will be entered on the top of all his documents by the Recruiting Officers, the idea being to put a distinguishing mark on the document before they become separated in the Recruiting Office. The serial numbers will commence with 1 (one) in each Recruiting Office and run on indefinitely and will be followed by the name of the place where the Recruiting Office is situated … Where there is more than one Recruiting Office in one place, the name of the place will be followed by the name of the district; thus a man enlisted at a Recruiting Office in Pall Mall, London would have his documents numbered as under 3/London/Pall Mall … The numbers allotted, will be carefully kept in the register already kept in the Recruiting Office'. The registers 2496/4-6 bear these numbers.
By 1915 the enthusiasm for volunteering which had been characteristic of the first few months of the war had waned and conscription was being considered. However before conscription could be introduced another census was needed. On 15 August 1915 the National Registration Act was passed which required all local authorities to keep a register 'formed of all persons male and female between the ages of 15 and 65', other than those already serving in the armed forces. Two registers were made for each age group, one copy being kept by the local authority and the other by the military. Unfortunately none of these registers have survived, although references to the National Registration Act can be found in local authority minutes.
On 23 October 1915 the Derby Scheme was introduced, which was the last effort by the government to get men to enlist voluntarily. Men were divided into two classes, Class A for those who wanted to enlist immediately and Class B who were attested but preferred to wait until being called up. Men were divided into 46 groups, the unmarried men forming the first 23 groups according to their age. The last 23 groups comprised married men. From these registers all men between 18 and 41 were entered into a Classification Register (Army Book 414) at the Recruiting Office.
When a Group was called up a public proclamation was to be displayed in every parish, and it was also suggested that 'an individual notice should be sent to each man telling him when and where to report'. His details would be sent to the Area Recruiting Officer who would record the information in the Register of Recruits (Army Book 303).
On 2 March 1916 the Derby Scheme was officially replaced by conscription, but in Surrey the two schemes seem to have run side by side until the end of the year.
In January 1916 the first Military Service Act was passed. The Act called for the compulsory enlistment of unmarried men between 18 and 41. However this did not produce the desired amount of recruits so the second Military Service Act was passed in May 1916 calling up married men between 18 and 41 who were eligible for service. It also extended the time of service for those already serving in the army and the re-examination of men previously rejected as unfit. The system was the same as the Derby Scheme but the groups were known as classes to avoid confusion.
Using the National Registration Act registers pink forms were distributed to all men of military age. Once returned to the authorities the forms would be marked with a star for those in a reserved occupation. Three index cards were completed and given a number and the information was then transferred to the Classification registers. Any gaps in the numbering within the registers are due to the individual with that number being either in a reserved occupation or unfit for service. One card remained at the recruiting office, another card was sent to area headquarters and the third was sent to the General Registrar. The General Registrar then selected by ballot the number of conscripts required from the area, who then notified the area headquarters, who in turn sent orders to the recruiting office to notify the conscripts to report to the office on a given date.
Once called up a conscript could appeal to a local tribunal for a delay in being conscripted or appeal for exemption on the grounds of being in a reserved occupation or as a conscientious objector. Results of the tribunals usually appear in local newspapers. If the person was unhappy with the result then he could apply to an appeal tribunal.
After a medical examination the recruits were either rejected on medical grounds or divided into categories A-D according to physical fitness. These categories were further divided into the following sections:
A: Fit for active service.
A1: Fit for overseas duties, as regards physical and mental health and training.
A2: As A1, except for training.
A3: Returned Expeditionary Force men, ready except physically.
A4: Men under 19 who would be A1 or A2 when aged 19.
B: Free from serious organic diseases, able to stand on lines of communications in France or garrison duties in tropics.
B1: Able to march 5 miles, see, shoot with glasses and hear well.
B2: Able to walk 5 miles, see and hear for ordinary purposes.
B3: Only suitable for sedentary work.
C: Free from serious organic diseases, suitable for home service.
C1: as B1.
C2: as B2.
C3: As B3.
D: Unfit, but could be within 6 months.
D1: Regular RA, RE or infantry command depots.
D2: Regular RA, RE or infantry regimental depots.
D3: Men in any depot or unfit awaiting treatment.
In September 1917 recruiting was taken over by the Ministry of National Service and the counties were reorganised, No.2 District becoming part of the South Eastern Region and 31st District forming part of the London Region. 2496/27-29 relate to this period.
With the end of the war many of the wartime recruiting offices were closed down, including the recruiting office at Guildford, the headquarters of 2nd Regimental District, which on 19 October 1918 was ordered to be amalgamated with the 31st Regimental District at Kingston. In 1919 the district became known as the 31st Recruiting Area and then East Surrey Recruiting Zone.
-The records Recruitment registers for the period of the First World War appear to be of extreme rarity as such records were supposed to be destroyed after the war. This catalogue represents a first attempt at interpretation of the registers but many uncertainties remain.
Of these 44 registers 2496/1-43 relate to the 31st Regimental District, and the Borough of Croydon, and 2496/44 relates to the 2nd Regimental District.
All comprise Army Book 303, the pages of which are headed '[31st] Regimental, Recruiting or Militia and Volunteer Artillery District' and later just '[31st] Recruiting Area'. The volumes contain the following information presented in columnar form: regiment to which recruit is posted, name, age, height, chest measurement, weight, complexion, colour of eyes and hair, 'distinctive marks', occupation, 'corps of militia, yeomanry or volunteers [later 'unit of special reserve or territorial force'] to which belonging (if any)', place of birth, date and place of attestation, 'by whom attested', name of recruiter, 'recruiting agent (if any)', 'examining medical officer', 'finally approved or rejected' [entry marked A or R], 'remarks' with 'date of special authority (if any) to be quoted'. The columns have not all been completed in many instances or have been used for information other than that given in the column header (for example, the accepted/rejected column is sometimes used to enter the depot to which the recruit is sent for training eg. 'ASC to Grove Park, ROC to Woolwich' etc). From August 1915, each recruit is given a number.
-Arrangement The registers have been organised by regimental district and thereafter grouped by category of recruit or recruitment system in place at the time. The dates given are those of attestation.
-Related records For the records of the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment and the East Surrey Regiment see 7502; for a notebook kept by a recruiting officer in Bletchingley see P20/27/1; for records of the local tribunals in Dorking Rural District and Woking Urban District see LA4/23/297-301 and 6198/16/1-6; for minutes of the Surrey and Croydon Military Service Appeal Tribunal, 1916-1918 (relating to the structure of the Committee rather than individual cases), see CC418/1; for records relating to the Appeal Tribunal local committee for the Guildford area, 1916-1918, see CC/28/303B; the Surrey Advertiser, 5th & 19th Sep 1914, lists recruits within the Guildford Parliamentary constituency.
-Access Conditions There are no access restrictions.
-- Series information for this collection
series: 2496/ - 31ST REGIMENTAL DISTRICT Date: 1908-1917 sub series: 2496/ - Regular Army Date: 1908-1917 Recruitment register. ... Title Recruitment register. Reference 2496/35 Unit Date 27 Jan 1908 -29 Mar 1913 Start Date 19080127 End Date 19130329 Recruitment register: 'RA [Regular Army]' on spine. From Aug 1915 re... Title Recruitment register: 'RA [Regular Army]' on spine. From Aug 1915 recruitment numbers are given (nos.1-386), together with place of recruitment. Reference 2496/38 Unit Date 2 Apr 1913 -16 Aug 1916 Start Date 19130402 End Date 19160816 Recruitment register: 'Regular Army' on inside cover. Recruitment no... Title Recruitment register: 'Regular Army' on inside cover. Recruitment nos.387-824. Indexed at back. Most of volume is unused Reference 2496/39 Unit Date 17 Aug 1916 -29 Nov 1917 Start Date 19160817 End Date 19171129
sub series: 2496/ - Special Reserve Date: 1909-1915 Recruitment register: '3rd Battalion East Surrey Regiment'. Also inc... Title Recruitment register: '3rd Battalion East Surrey Regiment'. Also includes recruits for 4th Battalion and the reserves of other regiments. Reference 2496/37 Unit Date 26 Jan 1909 -29 Mar 1913 Start Date 19090126 End Date 19130329 Recruitment register: 'SR' [Special Reserve] on spine. Until the out... Title Recruitment register: 'SR' [Special Reserve] on spine. Until the outbreak of the war, most recruits are for the 3rd or 4th Battalions of The East Surrey Regiment. From Aug 1914 the recruits (mainly older men) are sent to a greater variety of units. There are very few entries for 1915. Reference 2496/36 Unit Date 1 Apr 1913 -2 Aug 1915 Start Date 19130401 End Date 19150802
sub series: 2496/ - Volunteers Date: 1914-1917 Recruitment register. 'General Service' written at top of one page, ... Title Recruitment register. 'General Service' written at top of one page, and 'GS' written after destination regiment for some entries on first few pages Reference 2496/40 Unit Date 8 Aug 1914 -7 Sep 1914 Start Date 19140808 End Date 19140907 Recruitment register: 'B' on spine ... Title Recruitment register: 'B' on spine Reference 2496/1 Unit Date 31 Aug 1914 -4 Jan 1915 Start Date 19140831 End Date 19150104 Recruitment register: 'C' and 'D of W' on spine. ... Title Recruitment register: 'C' and 'D of W' on spine. Reference 2496/2 Unit Date 5 Jan 1915 -27 Apr 1915 Start Date 19150105 End Date 19150427 Recruitment register: 'Register D' on inside cover ... Title Recruitment register: 'Register D' on inside cover Reference 2496/3 Unit Date 27 Apr 1915 -26 Jun 1915 Start Date 19150427 End Date 19150626 Recruitment register: 'E' and 'D of war' on spine. Recruits are numb... Title Recruitment register: 'E' and 'D of war' on spine. Recruits are numbered from 1 Aug 1915: nos.1-1299 Reference 2496/4 Unit Date 27 Jun 1915 -11 Oct 1915 Start Date 19150627 End Date 19151011 Recruitment register: 'Register F' on inside cover. Recruitment nos.... Title Recruitment register: 'Register F' on inside cover. Recruitment nos.1300-3156. Reference 2496/5 Unit Date 12 Oct 1915 -18 Jan 1916 Start Date 19151012 End Date 19160118 Recruitment register: 'Register G' on inside cover. Recruitment nos.... Title Recruitment register: 'Register G' on inside cover. Recruitment nos.3157-3692. Indexed. Not filled. Recruits on last pages are generally under 18 or older men. Reference 2496/6 Unit Date 20 Jan 1916 -8 Dec 1917 Start Date 19160120 End Date 19171208
sub series: 2496/ - Lord Derby's Scheme Scope: In these registers the columns for complexion, eyes and hair have not been completed and the 'group' number of each recruit (number between 1 and 46) entered instead. Date: 1916 Recruitment register. Inside cover a pasted label reads 'Sub areas, ... Title Recruitment register. Inside cover a pasted label reads 'Sub areas, Wandsworth, 1; Croydon, 2; Wimbledon, 3; Kingston, 4; Richmond, 5; Epsom, 6'. Recruitment nos.5001-6212. Indexed. Not filled. Reference 2496/41 Unit Date 1 Jan 1916 -2 Sep 1916 Start Date 19160101 End Date 19160902 Recruitment register: 'Group 1' on cover and spine. Kingston, 20 Jan ... Title Recruitment register: 'Group 1' on cover and spine. Kingston, 20 Jan 1916-21 Jun 1916; Wandsworth, 20 Jan 1916-13 Apr 1916; Croydon, 20 Jan 1916-14 Apr 1916. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 504 and 14710. Indexed. Reference 2496/7 Unit Date 20 Jan 1916 -21 Jun 1916 Start Date 19160120 End Date 19160621 Recruitment register. Wandsworth, 13 Apr 1916-15 Jun 1916; Croydon, 1... Title Recruitment register. Wandsworth, 13 Apr 1916-15 Jun 1916; Croydon, 13 Apr 1916-15 Jul 1916. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 511 and 14694. Indexed. Covers missing. Reference 2496/8 Unit Date 13 Apr 1916 -15 Jul 1916 Start Date 19160413 End Date 19160715 Recruitment register: 'Groups 3, no.3' on front cover, 'Reserve B Gro... Title Recruitment register: 'Groups 3, no.3' on front cover, 'Reserve B Groups, Wandsworth' on back cover, 'Group 2' on spine. Covers: Wandsworth, 15 Jun 1916-16 Aug 1916; Kingston, 22 Jun 1916-29 Aug 1916. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 1181 and 8773. Indexed. Reference 2496/9 Unit Date 15 Jun 1916 -29 Aug 1916 Start Date 19160615 End Date 19160829 Recruitment register: 'Groups' and 'C2' on cover and 'Groups 6' on sp... Title Recruitment register: 'Groups' and 'C2' on cover and 'Groups 6' on spine. Covers: Wandsworth, 16 Aug 1916-8 Dec 1916; Kingston, 30 Aug 1916-8 Dec 1916. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 6489 and 12469 Reference 2496/10 Unit Date 16 Aug 1916 -8 Dec 1916 Start Date 19160816 End Date 19161208 Recruitment register: 'Reserve Class B Groups' on cover and 'Class [1... Title Recruitment register: 'Reserve Class B Groups' on cover and 'Class [1 or 7]' on spine. Covers: Epsom, 20 Jan 1916-30 Jun 1916; Richmond, 20 Jan 1916-3 Aug 1916; Peckham, 20 Jan 1916-1 Dec 1916; Wimbledon, 20 Jan 1916-8 Jun 1916. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 501 and 14697. Indexed Reference 2496/11 Unit Date 20 Jan 1916 -1 Dec 1916 Start Date 19160120 End Date 19161201 Recruitment register: 'Groups' on cover and 'Group 8' on spine. Cove... Title Recruitment register: 'Groups' on cover and 'Group 8' on spine. Covers: Wimbledon, 8 Jun 1916-17 Oct 1916; Epsom, 1 Jul 1916-7 Dec 1916; Croydon, 17 Jul 1916-29 Aug 1916. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 502 and 14698. Indexed. Reference 2496/12 Unit Date 8 Jun 1916 -7 Dec 1916 Start Date 19160608 End Date 19161207 Recruitment register: '2B Groups' on cover and 'Groups 4' on spine. ... Title Recruitment register: '2B Groups' on cover and 'Groups 4' on spine. Covers: Richmond, 3 Aug 1916-8 Dec 1916; Croydon, 30 Aug 1916-8 Dec 1916. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 4295 and 12468 Indexed. Reference 2496/14 Unit Date 3 Aug 1916 -8 Dec 1916 Start Date 19160803 End Date 19161208 Recruitment register: 'Groups 4' on cover and 'Group 3' on spine. Co... Title Recruitment register: 'Groups 4' on cover and 'Group 3' on spine. Covers Wimbledon. Recruitment nos. are not entered sequentially and range between 10770 and 12464. Indexed; not filled Reference 2496/13 Unit Date 17 Oct 1916 -8 Dec 1916 Start Date 19161017 End Date 19161208
sub series: 2496/ - Conscription Scope: In these registers the columns for complexion, eyes and hair have not been completed and the 'class' number of each recruit (number between 1 and 47) entered instead. Date: Mar-Dec 1916 Recruitment register: 'Classes 1' on cover and 'Classes 11' on spine.... Title Recruitment register: 'Classes 1' on cover and 'Classes 11' on spine. Covers: Kingston, nos.15001-19991, 6 Mar 1916-31 Oct 1916; Wandsworth, nos.15019-17011, 8 Mar 1916-3 Aug 1916; Croydon, nos.15017-19779, 7 Mar 1916-30 Oct 1916. Indexed. Reference 2496/15 Unit Date 6 Mar 1916 -31 Oct 1916 Start Date 19160306 End Date 19161031 Recruitment register: 'Military Classes 2' on cover and 'Classes 10' ... Title Recruitment register: 'Military Classes 2' on cover and 'Classes 10' on spine. Covers: Kingston, nos.19799-20891, 31 Oct 1916-8 Dec 1916; Croydon, nos.19784-20892, 31 Oct 1916-8 Dec 1916. Indexed. Reference 2496/16 Unit Date 31 Oct 1916 -8 Dec 1916 Start Date 19161031 End Date 19161208 Recruitment register: 'Classes 3' and Classes no 12' on cover. Cover... Title Recruitment register: 'Classes 3' and Classes no 12' on cover. Covers: Wandsworth, nos.18753-20904, 29 Sep 1916-8 Dec 1916; Peckham, nos.18190-20699, 2 Oct 1916-24 Nov 1916; Wimbledon, nos.19113-20887, 16 Oct 1916-8 Dec 1916. Reference 2496/17 Unit Date 29 Sep 1916 -8 Dec 1916 Start Date 19160929 End Date 19161208
sub series: 2496/ - Conscription Scope: In the series below the 'eyes' column has been used for class of recruit (number between 1 and 47), the 'distinctive marks' column has been used for 'destination' (for training), the parish and county columns have been used for recruiting sub-area (Kingston, Wandsworth etc) and sub-area number (eg.C23085/37478), and the 'name of recruiter' column has been used for medical category of recruit. Date: Dec 1916-Sep 1917 Recruitment register: 'No.1, Infantry' on cover. 'Name of recruiter' ... Title Recruitment register: 'No.1, Infantry' on cover. 'Name of recruiter' column used for medical classification. Recruitment nos.25000-29350. Indexed. Reference 2496/21 Unit Date 9 Dec 1916 -20 Feb 1917 Start Date 19161209 End Date 19170220 Recruitment register: 'No.2, Units' on cover. Recruits chiefly destin... Title Recruitment register: 'No.2, Units' on cover. Recruits chiefly destined for artillery, engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, etc. 'Name of recruiter' column used for medical classification. Recruitment nos.25005-31593, 35001-35464 ('new numbers'). Indexed Reference 2496/18 Unit Date 9 Dec 1916 -27 Mar 1917 Start Date 19161209 End Date 19170327 Recruitment register: 'No.3, RO', on cover and 'RO [Recruiting Office... Title Recruitment register: 'No.3, RO', on cover and 'RO [Recruiting Office] Woolwich Recruiting Area' on pages inside. Recruitment nos.28527-32574. Indexed. Not filled Reference 2496/25 Unit Date 13 Feb 1917 -7 Sep 1917 Start Date 19170213 End Date 19170907 Recruitment register: 'No.4 infantry' on cover. Recruitment nos.29351... Title Recruitment register: 'No.4 infantry' on cover. Recruitment nos.29351-31955, 45001-45925. Indexed Reference 2496/22 Unit Date 20 Feb 1917 -20 Mar 1917 Start Date 19170220 End Date 19170320 Recruitment register: 'No.5, Territorial Forces, London Regiments, HA... Title Recruitment register: 'No.5, Territorial Forces, London Regiments, HAC [Honourable Artillery Company]'. Recruitment nos.30473-31951, 40001-40531. Indexed. Not filled Reference 2496/26 Unit Date 1 Mar 1917 -5 Sep 1917 Start Date 19170301 End Date 19170905 Recruitment register: 'No.6, Units' on cover. Recruits chiefly destin... Title Recruitment register: 'No.6, Units' on cover. Recruits chiefly destined for artillery, engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, etc. 'Name of recruiter' column used for medical classification. Recruitment nos.35465-38055. Indexed Reference 2496/19 Unit Date 26 Mar 1917 -19 Jul 1917 Start Date 19170326 End Date 19170719 Recruitment register: 'No.7, Infantry' on cover. Recruitment nos.4592... Title Recruitment register: 'No.7, Infantry' on cover. Recruitment nos.45926-48564. Indexed Reference 2496/23 Unit Date 30 Mar 1917 -23 Jul 1917 Start Date 19170330 End Date 19170723 Recruitment register: 'No.8, Units' on cover. Recruits chiefly destin... Title Recruitment register: 'No.8, Units' on cover. Recruits chiefly destined for artillery, engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, etc. 'Name of recruiter' column used for medical classification. Recruitment nos.38056-38550. Indexed Reference 2496/20 Unit Date 19 Jul 1917 -7 Sep 1917 Start Date 19170719 End Date 19170907 Recruitment register: 'No.9, register, infantry'. Recruitment nos.485... Title Recruitment register: 'No.9, register, infantry'. Recruitment nos.48564-49365. Indexed. Not filled Reference 2496/24 Unit Date 23 Jul 1917 -20 Sep 1917 Start Date 19170723 End Date 19170920
series: 2496/ - SOUTH LONDON RECRUITING AREA Scope: In -/27 and 29 below the training destination is generally added after the regiment name in the first column; the complexion, eyes and hair columns are again completed; the distinctive marks column is used to record whether a recruit is married ('M') or single ('S'); the place of birth column is used to record recruiting sub-area; the 'name of recruiter' column is used to record medical category and the 'recruiting agent' column for place of medical examination. The class number (1-47) is no longer given. In -/29, after the first few entries the columns have been retitled in manuscript and give the following information: identity number (starting 60001), name, regional number, recruiting area, medical category, age, place of medical examination, name of medical officer, date of examination, address, 'allotment' (married or single and allowance), 'final disposal' (unit and training destination), date of final disposal, remarks. Date: 1917-1918 Recruitment register: 'No.1 Book'. Recruitment nos.50001-52025. ... Title Recruitment register: 'No.1 Book'. Recruitment nos.50001-52025. Reference 2496/27 Unit Date 2 Nov 1917 -20 Feb 1918 Start Date 19171102 End Date 19180220 Recruitment register: 'No.2 Book' on cover. Recruitment nos.55001-570... Title Recruitment register: 'No.2 Book' on cover. Recruitment nos.55001-57055. Reference 2496/29 Unit Date 5 Nov 1917 -27 Feb 1918 Start Date 19171105 End Date 19180227 Recruitment register: 'No.3 Book' on cover. Recruitment nos.60001-625... Title Recruitment register: 'No.3 Book' on cover. Recruitment nos.60001-62572. Reference 2496/28 Unit Date 22 Feb 1918 -2 May 1918 Start Date 19180222 End Date 19180502
series: 2496/ - 2ND REGIMENTAL DISTRICT Date: 1917-1918 Recruitment register: 'Other corps, Guildford' on title page and '2nd... Title Recruitment register: 'Other corps, Guildford' on title page and '2nd Regimental District' on pages inside. The eyes, hair and distinctive marks columns are variously used to indicate marital status, medical category and 'sub area'. From 10 Jun 1918, the regimental number, address and any reference for 'authority for posting', are also given, but place of birth and attestation details disappear. Recruitment nos.R11457-R17441. Indexed. At the end of the volume a memorandum states 'Guildford Reception Depot closed 20.10.18. Amalgamated with Kingston. See Eastern Command orders Dated 19.10.18, Auth. W.O Letter No.27/Gen No./6577 (AG 13 4) Dtd 2.10.18'. Reference 2496/44 Unit Date 22 May 1917 -19 Oct 1918 Start Date 19170522 End Date 19181019
series: 2496/ - 31ST RECRUITING AREA Date: 1918-1933 Recruitment register: 'Voluntary and Direct enlistments under WO tele... Title Recruitment register: 'Voluntary and Direct enlistments under WO telegram 2105 A.G.13 AL' on cover and '31st Regt District Recruiting Area' on pages inside. Various number ranges are in use, including a sequence for 'short service' recruits and another sequence for 'enlistments for North Russia, authority 27/Gen.No/7299 (A.G.13)'. Indexed Reference 2496/42 Unit Date 18 Nov 1918 -7 Jun 1920 Start Date 19181118 End Date 19200607 Recruitment register ... Title Recruitment register Reference 2496/30 Unit Date 23 Aug 1919 -20 Apr 1922 Start Date 19190823 End Date 19220420 Recruitment register ... Title Recruitment register Reference 2496/31 Unit Date 19 Apr 1922 -21 Feb 1925 Start Date 19220419 End Date 19250221 Recruitment register ... Title Recruitment register Reference 2496/32 Unit Date 28 Feb 1925 -26 Sep 1925 Start Date 19250228 End Date 19250926 Recruitment register: 'Ordinary enlistments' on cover ... Title Recruitment register: 'Ordinary enlistments' on cover Reference 2496/33 Unit Date 28 Sep 1925 -1 Oct 1927 Start Date 19250928 End Date 19271001 Recruitment register: 'East Surrey Regiment Recruiting Zone' on pages... Title Recruitment register: 'East Surrey Regiment Recruiting Zone' on pages inside. With note 'see previous AB303 for 1st quarters return for final approval'. Reference 2496/34 Unit Date 3 Oct 1927 -29 Jun 1933 Start Date 19271003 End Date 19330629 Recruitment register: 'Supplementary Reserve' on cover and '[31st] Re... Title Recruitment register: 'Supplementary Reserve' on cover and '[31st] Regimental, Recruiting or Militia, Volunteer Artillery District' on pages inside. Not filled. Enclosures: blank short service attestation form and Army Form B 104-57 concerning Corporal Murley's enlistment into the Supplementary Reserve, 17 Nov 1925. Reference 2496/43 Unit Date 3 Nov 1924 -20 Dec 1929 Start Date 19241103 End Date 19291220
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