Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Old Contemptibles?

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Pat

Pat Report 17 Jul 2007 13:00

Does anyone have any information about the Old Contemptible Association. I have googled of course but I can't seem to find a list anywhere of the various branches in the UK. There are odd towns listed separately but not a comprehensive list of all the branches in the UK. I understand that members joined their own birth town association, is this correct? Any info greatly appreciated. Thank you all. Pat

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 17 Jul 2007 13:11

As far as I know 'old contemptibles' were members of the British Expeditionary Force and came from all different regiments. I don't think they necessarily joined an association although I'm not certain of that. I can't imagine that every area had an association as there may not have been that many men from any one particular area. From google:- The name 'The Old Contemptibles' was adopted by British troops in 1914, supposedly following a comment made by the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II when, hearing that German forces were being held up in France exclaimed his exasperation of 'Sir John French's contemptible little army.' Kath. x

Chris in Sussex

Chris in Sussex Report 17 Jul 2007 13:27

Pat I know nothing about this subject but have had a thought..... http://www.bbc(.)co.uk/dna/mbhistory/F2233811 Remove brackets. Although the BBC site is headed as 'War and Conflicts' they seem to have a wide base of contributers and maybe they could help. You will need to register to post. Chris

Researching:
Avatar...My darling Dad. 1931-2019 'Take nothing on its looks, take everything on evidence. There is no better rule' Charles Dickens, Great Expectations. 'A brickwall is a problem that you haven't solved yet' Dave Annal http://media.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php/brick-walls-and-lost-ancestors/

Pat

Pat Report 17 Jul 2007 14:02

Hi Kath, the Old Contemptibles had 178 UK branches and 14 overseas branches. they wee part of the forces of all regiments who were in France and came underfire between 5th August 1914 and 22nd November 1914 and were awarded the 1914 Star. Old members were known as 'chums' and there is a lot of info on the web about these v. brave men. Meerkat, the above might help with your rellies. Thanks a lot Chris I'll have a look. Going to have a look at my rellies medals relating to WW1 at the weekend at the home of a recently found cousin, so might get the info. I need from there but thought I'd try here first anyway as there is a mine of info available through our members. Thanks all Pat