A postcard showing a WW1 troopship laving Bombay harbour
India.
East Surrey Regiment 1/6th Bn. Territorial Force.
In August 1914 the Territorial units were composed of men who had been trained as territorials and were often officered by men who had seen service with the colours; they became known as the First Line when they established secondary units for training purposes soon after war was declared.
Men who joined the territorials came from all backgrounds, and gave up a night or two a week to train. They also went on an annual camp which for many was a highlight indeed, as many otherwise rarely travelled beyond their hometown or county. The 'Terriers', or 'Saturday Night Soldiers', were not obliged to serve overseas in the event of a crisis.
The enthusiasm of the Terriers for the war in the early days was measured by the fact that the majority signed up for overseas service. This enabled units to be mobilised and sent overseas - initially, with some battalions being sent to the Western Front. Soon, entire TF Divisions proceeded overseas, either to the fighting fronts or as replacement garrisons as the regular troops were deployed to action.
04 Aug 1914, H.Q. was at The Drill Hall, Orchard Road, Kingston-upon-Thames. They were part of the Surrey Brigade, Home Counties Division (44th). 44th (Home Counties) Division.
The Home Counties Division was a Territorial Force Division already in existence at the outbreak of the war. The Division and Brigades were not numbered until April 1915 previously just named. The Division went to India in October 1914 to replace the Regular Battalions being sent to France. The Division remained there sending drafts to the fighting units in the Middle East.
The 44th Division embarked for India on October 30th 1914, allowing the Regular Battalions to be sent to France. It remained in India sending drafts to the fighting units in the Middle East. The Division was broken up on its arrival in Bombay on 2 December 1914. It was then transferred to the 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division.
Name.
Address.
Esher Rd, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey.
Parents.
Frederick Rich & Helena Earthy.
Attested.
30th of April 1913 at Guildford [age 17 yers 11 months]
Regiment.
East Surrey Regiment 1/6th Battalion, Territorial Force, Surrey Brigade, 44th (Home Counties) Division.
Rank & Number.
Private - No. 1898.
Home 30/04/1913 to 28/10/1914
India 29/10/1914 to 11/10/1915

Died 11th of September 1915 on the Changle Gali & Kalebagh road, India.'' Killed by rifle thieves, bullet wound, instantaneous whilst on military duty proceding escort to baggage from Kalabagh to Station Kuldane''.
The area (from Kalabagh to Station Kuldane) is known as the North West frontier. It lies between Kashmir and Afghanistan in modern day Pakistan.
It is a hilly (over 8000ft) part of the country where the British troops had established (from about 1850) numerous Hill Stations where they lived in the summer when the heat on the plains was too intense.
 
 
Source for the photograph Military Images
Research Rikk Earthy January 2002, August 2002.