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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: MrG on Tuesday 21 October 08 17:21 BST (UK)
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I have a "Mentioned in Dispatches" Letter for my Great Uncle Frank who died in France in 1918. It is from the War Office and is signed by Winston Churchill. Are these common? Does anyone know if it has any value? (for insurance purposed that it - I have no intention of getting rid of it)
Thanks
merve
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The MiD letter was usually sent out on behalf of the Secretary of State for War. If it has a copy of Churchill's signature then it was sent anytime after 10 January 1919.
But the letter should state when he was actually mentioned.
Do you also have the Oak Leaf, and his other medals as these would determine value, as would unit and which action he was mentioned for.
k
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Hi Merve
If you haven't already got it you should get a copy of his medal index card. This should say when the despatch he was mentioned in was published in the London Gazette, and also show when his emblem was issued. This was an oakleaf that went on the ribbon of his Victory Medal.
See - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp
Unless he was a senior officer his name will just be on a list submitted by his CO to the General or Field Marshal of worth of a mention.
Ken
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Hi Merve,
Although not actually a decoration in itself, recognition granted to British and commonwealth soldiers singled out for what amounted to 'a mention' in a Commander-in-Chief's military despatch took the form of a certificate.
In addition, during the First World War an emblem of bronze oak leaves - which signified that the medal recipient had received an 'MiD' - was also worn on the ribbon of the Victory Medal.
Views of MiD's varied; some regarded it as an honour whereas others saw it as nothing more than a failed Military Medal. For all that, MiDs were nevertheless announced in the London Gazette along with other, better recognised decorations (e.g. DSOs, VCs, etc.).
The certificate awarded to a man recognised in despatches noted his service details along with a reference to the specific despatch in which he was named. However no formal register of MiD recipients was maintained, perhaps reflecting the award's lowly status. Unlike other awards recipients of MiDs were not entitled to list any additional initials after their name.
The award was one of two - along with the Victoria Cross - which could be awarded posthumously.
:D :D
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Thanks everyone - all good stuff. I have Frank's medals (never worn, no oak leaf though) and a lot of his details (Regiment etc) and the "Death Penny" and letter sent to his widow. Medals and MiD certificate were both postumous as he died right at the end of the war. One thing I was wondering was if Winston Churchill's signature on the certificate was real or a faximile?
For interest here is the man himself - Frank Wheatcroft, Private 9037, 1st Dorsetshire Regiment.