WW1 British Army Soldiers Small Book (Army Form B50) - Carpenter, 46th Remount Squadron, Army Service Corps (ASC) - 1915

Issued to soldiers once attested and intended to be kept on the person of the individual and kept up to date during service by the commanding officer of the Squadron, Troop, Battery, or Company to which the man belonged. Printed by the HMSO and dated 1915.

This one issued to R4 - 095202, Pte Thomas Carpenter, who was from the west country, and 38 years of age and attesting at Bath on 26th April 1915. His trade was given as Barman. He resided at Keynsham, near Bristol and his mother is given as his next-of-kin in the same town. The R prefix to his service number signifies "Remounts".

The officer commanding his squadron has stamped the unit to which he was assigned, and this is the 46th Remount Squadron (ASC), Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) which initially served in Egypt.

There is a fascinating 20 minute silent movie of a sister squadron, the 44th Remount Squadron at work in Egypt in 1917. It shows this squadron at work and the type of work they did to marshal horses and mules including entraining them. See the following URL and get the popcorn ready! :

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022561

A copy of Thomas's WW1 MIC will be provided. The final photo is taken as a still from the video above and not included. His MIC confirms his entitlement to the British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal. the location of these medals not known. Any additional information welcome.

In good overall condition for age. Some pen and pencil marks to card covers. 32 pages of printed material in total with useful service information included a template for a last Will which has not been completed (no point 'tempting fate', etc). Scarce.

Comm GrSt

Code: 68325