This article looks at how the regimental numbers of soldiers who served with the Sappers and Miners can be used to work out when they enlisted. I have written other guides to researching soldiers who served in the Indian Army during the First World War

• Researching Soldiers who Served in the Indian Army

Sappers of an unidentified Railway Company, most likely of the 3rd Sappers and Miners in “the Bush” in East Africa during the First World War. Railway companies were used extensively in the East Africa Campaign due to the vital importance of railways which were needed to cover the large distances.

Enlistment Dates of the Sappers and Miners

The regimental numbers for the Sappers and Miners of the Indian Army follow a standard sequential pattern, with each new recruit receiving the subsequent number. However, there appears to have been an attempt to standardise the issuing of regimental numbers between the sapper units from 1917 (possibly earlier). Instead of each sapper unit issuing a recruit with a regimental number unique only within that unit, all units drew on a new numbering series starting around 5000.

The new numbering series explains why large numbers of soldiers from all three Sappers and Miners died with regimental numbers over 5000 from late 1918 onwards. This is despite the 1st King George’s Own Sappers and Miners failing to surpass 5000 pre-1914 and the other two having restarted their numbering system after reaching a set limit. An example of the new system in use was for recruits to the 51st Field Company, which formed in India in March 1917 and would go on to serve in Aden for over three years. Of the six soldiers I have identified who served with the company, all have regimental numbers over 5000.

1st King George’s Own Sappers and Miners

The 1st King George’s Own Sappers and Miners followed a sequential system and does not appear to have reset their regimental numbers on reaching a set limit.

2nd Queen Victoria’s Own Sappers and Miners

The regimental numbers of the 2nd Sappers and Miners, like the 3rd Sappers and Miners, appear to follow a chronological pattern until 5,000 when the numbering was reset to 1. This explains why soldiers with a two-digit regimental number die in battle with men who have numbers four thousand places above them.

3rd Sappers and Miners

The regimental numbers of the 3rd Sappers and Miners follow a sequential pattern up until it passed 5,000. Then, the 3rd Sappers and Miners began again at 1 and continued chronologically. This explains how soldiers with a two-digit regimental number die in battle with men who are over four thousand places above them.