Army Form D.400 - Description on discharge

 

Army Form D.400 is a useful document in giving a picture of a soldier at the end of his service and is packed with information not only about the man's military career but also about his family. On this June 1915 version is space to record details of the soldier's parents, wife and children, not to mention his intended place of residence.

 

The man mentioned in this particular document, a recent research project, originally attested in 1898, extended to complete 12 years with the colours and then enlisted for four years for Section D, Army Reserve. He was three months short of the expiry of that term of service when Britain went to war and he was obliged to complete the four years plus an additional bounty year (which he served in Britain). Upon discharge he promptly re-enlisted and served with the Army Service Corps in France.

 

 All document images reproduced on this post are Crown Copyright, The National Archives. Service and Pension records can be searched and downloaded from Ancestry and Findmypast. Both companies offer FREE 14-day trials.

Army Form B.2056 - Transfer to Army Reserve

 

Army Form B.2056 gives a useful summary of a man's colour service prior to his transfer to the Army Reserve. In the case of Private Groves (above), his conduct and character is described as "Indifferent. Addicted to drink".

 

 

Brief service history details are given on the following pages, also a description of the man and his intended place of residence. It's a useful document and in my experience there are not too many that survive in WO 97. This appears to have been one form which the MoD decided could be weeded and disposed of, probably because the majority of the information included here is also noted on the attestation papers.

 

Pages 3 and 4 are reproduced below. All document images reproduced on this post are Crown Copyright, The National Archives. Service and Pension records can be searched and downloaded from Ancestry and Findmypast. Both companies offer FREE 14-day trials.