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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: chelsen on Tuesday 13 December 05 16:59 GMT (UK)
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Amongst my Grandfather's WW1 medals was the attached medallion. I contacted the Firepower Museum but they had never seen one like it before although they said "friendship medals" were exchanged between the allies. It is clearly a Royal Artillery medallion as it has a large gun on one side and a French and British soldier on the other.
I would be interested to have any suggestions.
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chelsen,it looks like your g/father was in a railway gun unit,it could be a piece of trench art,mack
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Thanks for your reply. My Grandfather was in the Royal Artillery, 505 Howitzers. I assumed that the large gun barrell on one side of the medallion was the connection with the RA. The inscription on the other side says "Sur la Somme". I am not sure about the two figures and their uniforms and flags. The individual on the left is wearing a helmet of some sort.
Regards Carole
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The individual on the left is wearing a helmet of some sort.
he's wearing a french helmet plus the french inscription, it's probably not official just a token of the Anglo-French friendship on the Somme sector (it's often forgotten that the battle of the Somme was fought by the French as well)
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Thank you, Harrihobs. That is almost exactly what the researcher at the RA Firepower Museum said.
Carole
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well thats my suggestion as well! ;D
in the southern sections of the somme, french artillery supported british infantry in their attack ( very succesfully) so thats another possible reason for it's existance
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You are obviously very knowledgeable about WW1. My husband and I travel to Northern France and Belgium every spring visiting the battlefields and cemeteries, particularly the Somme and Ypres where my Grandfather saw action. Fortunately he and his three brothers (all in the RA or RHA) all survived. Quite a miracle for 4 brothers to go and all to come back. Granddad went on to live to be 90. I have had difficulty researching the action he actually saw as his war records were some of the "burnt" documents and the copies I took of the microfilm at Kew were very poor. The Firepower Museum were very helpful in deciphering them for me but I need to read up on the WW1 history of the Royal Artillery to fit places to dates.
Regards
Carole
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I have had similiar problems trying to research 'corps' soldiers as well, it's very difficult if not impossible sometimes. I might suggest the great war forum to you, if you've not tried it before, there are some excellent artillery experts on there
My grandfather was also a survivor, but as an infantryman I have been able to trace his 'war'
Ypres is my favourite place, it seems to hold a fascination for me
good luck in your search
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Thanks, I will check out the website you suggest and hopefully dig up some new information.
Yes, Ypres is one of our favourite places too. 8pm at the Menin Gate and then a stroll around the ramparts.
Thanks for your good wishes
Regards
Carole
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chris,wasnt the 505th a rail gun battery,if it was,then its likely they stayed in the same sector during the war,mack
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Dear Manmack
As far as I know the 505 Howitzers were not attached to any particular regiment and were sent wherever they were needed. There may have been a connection with rail, but there is nothing on Granddad's records to suggest this. I know he saw action at Dickebusche in Belgium and obviously on the Somme but he was plagued with dysentery and spent quite a lot of time in field hospitals. He was returned to the UK at one time as my father (despite being 90 next month) remembers being taken by train to Sheffield to see him in hospital. He also spent some time in Rouen and I have a beautiful book of old postcards Granddad sent back to his mother or his wife.
Thanks for your interest
Regards
Carole
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Hi my Great Uncle Dennis william Blowers was part of the 505th Battery and was killed on 23/7/1917 am just starting my research into my WW1 relatives any help as to what info you can help me with is much appreciated
Regards
Dave
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Hi Dave and welcome to Rootschat.....you need to start a new topic putting your relative's name in the title of your post and give as much information as you can. Date and place of birth and next of kin.
Carol
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Hi Dave
I will look out for your thread if you start a new one. I am still trying to find out where my Granddad saw action. The only place I was able to decipher on his war records was Dickebusche, not far from Ypres, Belgium. We have been there on several occasions and taken photos of the graves of his comrades who were not so fortunate as him and did not return.
I need to find out where the 505 Howitzers were sent during the time he served. I have a group photograph which could include your Great Uncle.
I will see if I can attach it here.
My Granddad was William James Panton from Woolwich and he served between December 1915 and August 1919. He saw action around Dickebusche in June 1917. On his records it also mentions 65 battery and somewhere else I read 3rd Battalion.
Where was your Great Uncle killed?
I hope the photo comes out ok. My Granddad is the one on the far right.
Good luck with the research
Carole
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Carole
he is buried at the Perth Cemetary china wall, so not 100% sure where he died, as for the pic he could be there but i dont have any photos of him
he was a bombadier service number 32623
Dave
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Yes, found him on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. He is buried in the same area as Dickebusche and Ypres.
On Ancestry he is on a medal card list although it is not his actual medal card. I cannot find his service records but a lot of records were destroyed or damaged in WW2. My Granddad's were "burnt records" but fortunately only burnt around the edges.
Have you tried the Royal Artillery Museum
www.firepower.org.uk
They helped me some years ago. Have a look at their website.
Sorry haven't been much help.
Regards
Carole
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Carole
No i havnt tried them yet, but think i might do
my Grandad George William Henry Blowers was also in the RFA joined 1922 left service 1954 !!
I know he was in Germany after the war but not sure of his WW2 record, i think it may take a bit of digging !!
thanks for your help
Dave
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In this case this would seem to be the 505th Battery in 65th Army Brigade RFA formed in 1917 [an earlier 65th brigade was broken up in 1916], arriving France 2nd/4th May 1917 with 465, 466, 504 and 505 Bty. The war diary exists and records their movements. A great uncle of mine was in 504th Bty
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I will look out for your thread if you start a new one. I am still trying to find out where my Granddad saw action. The only place I was able to decipher on his war records was Dickebusche, not far from Ypres, Belgium. We have been there on several occasions and taken photos of the graves of his comrades who were not so fortunate as him and did not return.
I need to find out where the 505 Howitzers were sent during the time he served. I have a group photograph which could include your Great Uncle.
I will see if I can attach it here.
My Granddad was William James Panton from Woolwich and he served between December 1915 and August 1919. He saw action around Dickebusche in June 1917. On his records it also mentions 65 battery and somewhere else I read 3rd Battalion.
Where was your Great Uncle killed?
I hope the photo comes out ok. My Granddad is the one on the far right.
Good luck with the research
Carole
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he is buried at the Perth Cemetary china wall, so not 100% sure where he died, as for the pic he could be there but i dont have any photos of him
he was a bombadier service number 32623
not sure where eaxctely he dies, wil start a new thres called 505th Bty RFA
Dave
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Hello Dave and Carol, I have only just found this site and have some info. which may be of interest. Dennis William Blowers was my grand father and was married to Florence Mary Jenkerson ( who subsequently married Alexander Jenner). Her brother, Alfred Ernest Jenkerson was lost on HM Drifter "Datum" on Oct.26th 1916.
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Wow, brickfields, you must be related to Dave (Doodes). I have not managed to find his new thread.
I have to admit I haven't done much more research into my Granddad's service. War diaries are mentioned in previous posts but not sure how you find them and whether or not they are online.
I must get back to it.
Regards
Carole