British Army Soldiers Small Book (Army Form B50) - Sidney George Day, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) - 1910

Issued to either regular soldiers or those volunteering for the Special Reserve 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 Gale & Polden for the HMSO and dated 1910. In the inside pocket is included a rare loose leaflet (split at crease marks) in the form of a Memorandum dated 1911 to the Soldier's Small Book concerning venereal disease which was supposed to have been removed upon the soldier becoming 'non effective'.

This one was issued to Regimental No 9821, Pte Sidney George Day, who enlisted in The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) in London in 1911, aged 19. His trade is given as a Sawyer's Mate. His next-of-kin is given as his mother then residing in Stoke Newington. He enlisted for seven years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve. He saw WW1 service and was awarded a long service number 4379405 later in the war and was entitled to a British War Medal (no Victory Medal or Star entitlement as remained in India) and also was awarded an Indian General Service Medal (1908-1935) with the clasp 'Afghanistan NWF 1919" - the Yorkshire Regiment was present. Copy of MIC to be provided. Any additional information welcome.

On the out break of WW1, the 1st Battalion was stationed in Barian, Punjab, India and attached to 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. It remained in India throughout the war. In November 1914, briefly moved to the Delhi Brigade in 7th (Meerut) Divisional Area before going to the Kohat Brigade on the North West Frontier. Took part in Third Afghan War in 1919.

In fairly poor condition, card covers partially split at spine and heavily stained to outside. 34 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: 68362