An interesting (and rare) find on Ancestry yesterday; the Attestation of George Henry Raynor from Nottingham into the 19th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.

This short-lived Battalion was formed at Brocklesby in August 1915 from depot companies of the 15th, 16th and 17th Bns. Moved to Ripon in November 1915 and on to Harrogate in July 1916; then to Durham in July 1916. It was finally absorbed in the Training Reserve Battalions of 19th Reserve Brigade at Newcastle on 1 September 1916.

See Long Long Trail.

George originally attested in December 1915, most likely as part of the ‘Derby Scheme’. He was mobilised on the 15th April 1916 and on the following day was posted to the 19th Sherwood Foresters at that time stationed at Ripon. Following basic Infantry train George was transferred to the 17th Battalion and embarked for France on the 31st July 1916.

He was later attached to the 117th Machine Gun Company (39th Division) where he contracted bronchitis and returned to England on the Hospital Ship “Dieppe”.

After his convalescence George returned to France and served with the 2/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and 33rd Battalion London Regiment (Rifle Brigade) before being demobilised in February 1919.