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Military Medal and bar

  • Thread starter Thread starter lappylugs3
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lappylugs3

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Hi , i1m currently researching (or trying to) Thomas Thompson who earned the MM + Bar with the R.War.Reg.Does anybody know if i can find out how he earned his awards?I`ve checked the London Gazzette entries but they don`t give any details-Kevin.
 
lappylugs3, Get in touch with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment website and they should be able to help, i believe for what reason i don`t know the newspaper never printed the citation for which the MM was awarded, good luck in your search. Len.
 
lappylugs3, Did Thomas Thompson have these WW1 medals as well as his MM+Bar?. He was a brave man to have been awarded the Military Medal and Bar. Len.
 
Len,he was also issued with a 1914 star trio,his qualifying date given as 11/11/1914 - Kevin.(Wish i could come across these)
 
lappylugs 3, (approximately 2,336,000) who saw service in any theatre of conflict against the central powers between 05 August 1914 and 31 December 1915, except for those who were eligible for the 1914 Star. The medal was authorised under Special Army Order 20, which was released in 1920. It was issued to British forces of all kinds, as well as imperial troops from Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and India. Len.
 
loppylugs 3, The 3 medals are the ww1 trio also called by Soldiers "Pip, Squeak & Wilfred" after a cartoon strip in a newspaper: Military Medal photo. Len.
 
Kevin

The citations for MMs were not printed in the London Gazette or in the "Times" and unfortunately the citation and recommendation paperwork no longer exists. This makes researching the MM tricky. However, experience says the gazette date was usually around 3-4 months after the event for which it was awarded. If you can find out his battalion, it would be worth looking through the war diary at around that time. The diaries quite often mention the award of the MM, although often listing it rather than giving reasons. Very often, though, you can tie it to something the battalion did, such as a trench raid.

The National Archives has the original diaries, the Royal Warwicks museum has (I believe) transcripts.

You might also strike lucky and find something in a local newspaper.

Good luck.

Oh, forgot to say I have some extracts from diaries of a few Warwicks battalions. If you tell us the Gazette dates and his name/number here (battalion too if you know it)I'll see if I have anything that matches.
 
Thanks both Chris and Len, he served with the 16th R.War Reg. MM gazetted 24/1/1919 bar to MM gazetted 29/3/ 1919, many thanks Kevin.
 
Then I would recommmend you check the platoon photos in the Birmingham City Battalions Book of Honour and see of you can spot him; have a read of Terry Carter's "Birmingham Pals", and most importantly see if you can read the 16th Bn war diary for August to December 1916. I'm afraid it is not one I have.
 
I have checked the names of all volunteers listed in the City Battalions book of Honour but sadly there is no Thomas Thompson listed in any of the original 3 Birmingham Bts of which the 16th was part.
 
Many thanks Chris, do you not mean Aug to Dec 1918? regards Kevin.
 
Thanks Chuka. i would have thought he must be an original "Pal" judging by his number -1278,and his qualifying date being 11/11/14.As he was only one of two( I believe )in the 16th Btn. to receive a Bar to his MM it seems so strange that he is so hard to trace.Do you know where i might chance upon a copy of his record of enrolment etc? - Kevin.
 
The service number 1278 for the 16th Bt was a Pte A.H.Smout. KIA 10/05/17
There was a 1278 Pte J.H Thomas listed in the 15th, this could easily be a misprint and be the the man you want.
 
Thanks again Chucka, the plot really thickens.Thomas Thompson is shown in the Pals book as 1278-16th.Btn. His MIC also shows 1278 R.War.R.
Albert Henry Smout also shows as 1278 16th.Btn.in the "Pals"book roll of honour.SDGW shows Snout as 16/1278 16th.Btn.His MIC shows 1278 R.War.Reg. "Died".Could these 2 men have the same number in the same regiment or Battalion?Can anyone help us out here? - Kevin.
 
When the 14th was FIRST recruted they were numbered 1-1000, then the 15th were recruted and they also were numbered 1-1000, and then the 16th, again 1-1000, so you had 1 soldier from each Bt with the same number, I have found a few soldiers with the same number and Bt in the Pals book, but I have had my info from the original "City Battalions book of honour" and in that book it states that a Pte 1278 Thompson was not originaly in the 16th but the 15th.
The CWGC site also places L/Cpl Smout in the 16th.
 
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Many thanks Chuka, i could have gone on for ever without knowing any different, it just goes to show that the wheels of motion can grind on and roll over red tape or discrepancies within the rolls of war,perhaps overlooking the individual`s part played - especially to an amateur like myself who looks and takes in what he sees as being - as read!I am truly grateful for your time and effort with my query and beg i may call again on your knowledge in the future if you could help me - i want to concentrate on the local (Pals ) Btn`s .Your very obiedient servant - Kevin.
 
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