WW1 BRITISH ARMY MEDAL GROUP SAPPER ALABASTER 10TH RAILWAY COMPANY ROYAL ENGINEERS

1914 – 15 Star, impressed named 12738 SPR:A.J.ALABASTER. R.E.; British War and Victory Medals impressed named 12738 SPR. A.J. ALABASTER. R.E. comes with copies service records, Medal Index Card & medal roll.

Arthur James Alabaster was born in Dalston London in 1879 he enlisted into the 6^th Dragoon Guards with a regimental number of 3720 on the 2/3/1897 at Aldershot. His occupation was recorded as a carpenter. He bought himself out for 18 pounds on the 31/10/1898. He re-enlisted into the Royal Engineers on the 29/4/1903 at London and was given the new regimental number of 12738. Interestingly he declared that he had never served in the Army previously. He served in England from 29/4/1903 – 31/5/1906 when he was transferred to the reserve. He was mobilised on the 5/8/1914 and sent to France on the 28/11/1914 where he served until 4/4/1916 when he wisely opted for discharge at the termination of engagement.

His records show him as a superior tradesman carpenter. Served France from the 28/11/1914 -24/4/1916 with the 10^th Railway Company. At the Start of the War the Army only had 2 Regular Companies and 2 Territorial, total of 23 Officers and 651 men. He was an original 10^th Railway Company man and landed in France with the unit.

Their job was to build the railway lines. At the start of the war there were only 4 Railway companies. A company consisted of 3 Officers and 106 men. By the end of the war there were 45 companies.