Ernest RIMELL of 153 Winchester Road, Edmonton
19 March 1917
Ernest RIMELL of 153 Winchester Road, Edmonton gave his age as 40yrs and 2 months when his army record form was completed in Tottenham on 19 March 1917 – the date he was called up for service. He gave his occupation as bookbinder and reported that he had 12 years experience in the Territorial Army.
His height was 5ft 7in and his chest was 38.5inches when expanded with 2.5inches expansion. His next of kin was his wife Annie Susannah RIMELL (formerly WARE). She had been a spinster when they married on 6th February 1898 at St Marks Church, Wood Green.
He listed his children as:-
Sidney Lawrence – born 20.5.1901 in Edmonton
Dorothy Lilian – born 31.3.1903 in Clerkenwell
Arthur Frederick – born 8.5.1905 in Enfield
Olive Annie – born 13.8.1910 in Tottenham
Frank Clive – born 1.9.1912 in Tottenham
It is recorded that prior to the record form date he underwent some training (as a driver, etc) and that his actual date on enlistment was 24.6.1916. He was discharged at Woolwich Dockyard on 27th June 1919 and his Military Character was described as “Good”.
There is a memorandum in file dated 5th July 1921 asking him to furnish details of his service in respect of his claim to medals. Behind this is an undated hand written note that says:-
“Dear Sir
I joined the 2nd London Rifle Volunteers in 1895 left the Territorials in 1910 which should entitle me to long service medal that I have never had.
I served in the R.A.S.C. from 26/6/16. Disembarked overseas 17/5/17. My regimental No. was T/309303 Served in France, was with the Army of Occupation in Germany 6 months. Discharged 27/6/19
Yours Respectfully”
This letter is signed “E RIMELL” and stamped “1914/15 STAR”.
There are various difficult to read entries on his medical history page but he did have a Vaccination on 30.3.1917.
His disability page dated 21 June 1919 records that he had “none.”
His Regimental Conduct sheet has an entry dated 12.5.1918:-
“Leaving Barracks without permission when orderly saddler. Stating a falsehood to his commanding officer”. His punishment was 14 days CB
A separate page records two further entries:-
5.2.1918 in Rouen – “When on active service being in a café during prohibited hours contrary to BRO3672 dated 4/7/17 - 7 days CB.”
12.5.18 in Rouen – “1 - Leaving Barracks without permission when orderly saddler. 2 - Stating a falsehood to his commanding officer”. His punishment was 14 days CB
His identity Certificate dated 27 June 1919 gives his Medical category as A.
His Active Duty Casualty Form gives his surname as RIMMELL then RINNELL and finally RIMELL. His Rank was Driver Saddler and his religion was Church of England. He embarked Southampton 17.5.17 and disembarked Havre ex SS “Viper” on 18.5.17. There are a number of difficult to read entries but on 31.10.17 he was admitted to hospital with a hernia. Many other entries are in military abbreviations and need interpretation.
Transcribed from records at The National Archive