World War One Records - Arthur Morgan
Would appreciate any input regarding the following about a great-uncle of mine who served during the First World War.
Background : My great grandfather, John Morgan of Clontibret, married Bridget Grimes in Clontibret in 1896 and shortly thereafter they moved to Staffordshire England where he worked in the coal mines. He had 4 children: Arthur, Bridget Mary (went by "Cissie" - my grandmother), Margaret, & John. My great grandmother died in a fire around 1910, and the family returned to live in Clontibret shortly after the 1911 Census, at which time my great-grandfather re-married, farmed, and had several additional children.
The questions relate to the eldest son: Arthur Morgan, who was 13 at the time of the 1911 England & Wales Census, therefore born in 1898, in Butts Lane, Audley, Staffordshire.
Based on family oral history, Arthur served during the First World War and died in France. The family still has the Memorial Plaque (sometimes called a Dead Man's Penny) that was received to commemorate the death (but no paperwork accompanying it).
I was able to locate several records which substantiated that Arthur Morgan did indeed serve, and die, during the war (although with conflicting dates of death). In the UK World War One Pension Ledgers & Index Cards 1914 - 1920 it clearly shows: Arthur Morgan, Rank: Private; Death Date: 15 August 1917; Death Place: France; Service Number: 5418; Regiment: R. Irish C & H.
On Ancestry, in Ireland's Memorial Records 1914 - 1918 page 204 it states: "Morgan, Arthur. Reg. No. 5418. Rank, Private, Royal Irish Regiment, 6th Batt.; died of wounds, France, August 10, 1917; born Audley, Staffordshire."
His burial records show: Private Morgan #5418 Royal Irish Regiment d: 10 August 1917; buried: Brandhoek New Military Cemetery VI.B.3
The last piece of convincing evidence that this is indeed my great uncle is his handwritten Will which states that he wished to leave money to "my sisters Maggie & Cissie Morgan, Drumnart, Clontibret ... his brother John ... and anything remaining to his father, John Morgan...".
The bit of mystery that I am trying to solve is that I have ALSO found on Ancestry UK British Army World War One Pension Records 1914 - 1920 - "Proceedings on Discharge #14638" what appears to be the very same Arthur Morgan ... who enlisted ... but was then discharged after 210 days of service, at age 19 years, on 8 July 1916 as considered medically unfit to serve (due to poor eyesight ... which he suffered from birth ... not something the result of Military Service).
Here Arthur Morgan is shown as: No. 5272 Rank: Private; Royal Irish Rifles, 3rd Bat. Place of Discharge: Dubln. His next of kin is James Morgan, Drumnart, Clontibret, Father (should have said "John") but the key is Place of Birth: "Butt Lane North Staff."
This appears to me to be the very same Arthur Morgan ... who enlisted in late 1915 ... was medically discharged in July 1916 ... and then somwhow managed to re-enlist ... only to die in France in August 1917. I have been unable to find his enlistment papers for his 2nd round of Service ... and wondered if you might know how to locate those.
Perhaps this scenario was more common than I am aware ... have not been able to find anything on-line.
Thanks, in advance, for any comments or input.
Hope everyone is keeping safe & well ... regards from Canada.