WW1/AC/TC4

Individual Case Files This series includes case files of men sent for training at Stratton Park Training Centre, Biggleswade, but also men sent for training elsewhere, notably placements with poultry farmers and also with other specialist farmers often outside the county. These farmers received a premium from the Ministry for taking the men as trainees. Training at Stratton park was for a year, training with outside farmers usually for six months in the first instance which might be extended. The Stratton Park Sub-Committee of the War Agricultural Executive Committee had a policy that Stratton Park was, first and foremost, for Bedfordshire men but men from other counties were also sent there, as Bedfordshire men were sent elsewhere. Once the man had joined a Training Centre in another county his file was administered by the receiving county - Stratton Park received men from ten other counties. At the end of a man's training he would often apply to receive a smallholding or a grant for tools to set up in business as, for example, a jobbing gardener. The information following entries consists of information from the man's file, usually his Training Record sheet as well as from the cover of the file. File covers have not been retained due to their acidic nature. Each individual's entry is set out as shown below, note that information on all categories is not always available on the file: Fred BLOGGS aged 25 of 110 Bedford Street, Anytown [Blankshire] ex Private, Bedfordshire Regiment former labourer market gardening varicose veins 30 Jul 1920 - own accord

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