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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: ladyflippers on Monday 18 October 10 21:12 BST (UK)
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Hi chaps,
Can anyone tell me what this medical card is telling me. All I can glean is that Samuel served in the Royal Warks and was awarded 3 medals. I can't tell what division or when / how he died.
Thanks in advance
Jen
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Hello Jen,
It's actually a Medal Index Card. He has two of them, but they are virtually identical, so don't waste your money on the 2nd one.
These links will help you to read it:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp
http://www.1914-1918.net/grandad/mic.htm
He was killed in action on 20/9/18 while serving with 10th Battalion. (SDGW have the wrong service number for him, by the way).
This is his CWGC entry:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=262272
Phil
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Thank you so much Phil.
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He entered theatre on 28/10/15 and was a Territorial Soldier original number 4712 renumbered in 1917.
(details from his other card :))
Ady
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Jen,
You're in luck. Samuel's Army service records have survived (one of the 30% or so that were not destroyed by the Luftwaffe during WW2).
There are about 21 pages of his records available on Ancestry, though not every page contains information - many are simply incomplete forms.
If you would like assistance with them, please PM me - I believe it is not permissible for me to post them here for you.
Kind regards,
Peter.
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Jen,
Just having a quick read through Samuel's papers - looks as though he was with the 10th Battalion, Warwickshires. There is a tiny bit of info about them via the link below (about half way down)...
http://www.1914-1918.net/warwicks.htm
PJ
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serving with 10th Battalion. (SDGW have the wrong service number for him, by the way).
Phil
Apologies, Phil; just re-read the thread and noticed that you had aleady found Samuel on CWGC and identified his Bn.
PJ
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Jen,
One last detail this evening which may be of use to you: Samuel's address is given on his papers as, 96 Clevedon Rd, Balsall Heath B'ham.
Regards,
Peter.
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pretty badly damaged but some interesting notes in them.
Looks like he was originally 5th Batt then 2/6th Batt then 10th Batt.
Ady
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Guys,
I can't tell you how delighted I am with all this information you have given me. I had a little cry on the way home thinking about Samuel and so many others like him and their sacrfice. Amazing considering two days ago I didn't even know his name.
Thank you all so much.
Jen
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A genuine pleasure, Jen.
Warmest regards,
Peter.
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It is beginning to look like Samuel Wilkes was an all round action hero! His marriage certificate has 'seaman' down as his profession.
It's a wonder he had any children at all given the amount of time he was away from home :)
I have no idea how to progress this latest find. I am assuming that the 'seaman' profession was not associated with the navy but I could be wrong, any ideas how to I can progress this line of investigation?
Regards
Jen
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His marriage certificate has 'seaman' down as his profession...
...any ideas how to I can progress this line of investigation?
Jen,
Can you tell us which year he married, at all?
P.
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I certainly can :)
Samuel Alfred Wilkes (aged 25) was married to Providence Beatrice Beeston (aged 24) on 23rd August 1909 in the parish of Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Thanks in advance :)
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Jen,
If it's the right man, then his Navy Service Certificate is available from the NA:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7313640&queryType=1&resultcount=1
You can obtain a copy of this record for the princely sum of £3-50 via the link I have inserted above.
The service number recorded has the prefix 'SS'. This indicates that Samuel (if it IS him) was engaged for 'Short Service' (or sometimes thought to be 'Special Service'). Basically, men under this category agreed to serve five initial years at sea, followed at the end of this 'sea-service' by seven further years in reserve, whereby he could return to his regular job in civilian life, but would be attached to a shore base, in case war broke out again and he was needed by the Navy.
Have a look at the link to see if you think it is him, then we can go through it, if you so wish.
All the best,
PJ.
Birth details given as Birmingham, Warwickshire on 02/02/1888.
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PJ you are amazing. It IS him, although I didn't have his exact date of birth I can see from the census that he was a hairdresser before becomming a seaman and hairdresser is down as his occupation on his navy record.
You should take this up professionally :)
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Jen,
That's fantastic - I'm really pleased for you.
I'm sure you will have no problem deciphering the service record, but if you need a hand, just give me a shout.
PM me if necessary, and I'll pass on my email address.
All the best,
Peter.
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Jen,
Looks as though Samuel did his five years sea-service, but was not then placed on reserve due to the fact that he did not pass for Able Seaman - not being engaged in the Navy meant he was free to enlist in the Army (cannot remeber from his Army records when this was - sorry).
Peter.
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That is a beautifully clear record - extremely neat and legible. Some of them are virtually impossible to read. You've been lucky yet again!
I think Samuel definitely wanted you to find him. ;D
Peter
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I think you are right Peter, Samuel needed to be found :)
The only thing I am not sure of is the comment in the remarks where it says "Not eligible for R&R not having passed for A.B.". Would you know what A.B. stands for?
Regards
Jen
EDIT: Sorry I missed your earlier post, I suppose this means Able Seaman?
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Jen,
AB = 'Able Seaman'. It's the next step up from 'Ordinary Seaman'.
I also note that Samuel served in HMS Cressy. There is a notorious naval incident involving the German U-Boat 'U9' and Cressy, together with HMS Aboukir and HMS Hogue, in which you may be interested. Just do a general Google and you should easily find out all about it.
My own Granddad was almost killed by this U-Boat crew whilst serving aboard HMS Theseus, in 1914. Fortunately the torpedo missed his ship, but sadly sunk HMS Hawke which was close by.
The Cressy incident led to the Navy adopting a policy of forbidding vessels from picking up survivors of U-Boat attacks in case they fell victim to attack as well.
PJ
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Jen,
I think you'll find that abbreviation is RFR rather than R&R.
RFR = Royal Fleet Reserve, into which Samuel would have gone after his five years sea-service.
PJ
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Thanks for the extra information and clarification on the RFR issue :)
This area of history fascinates me as I am a diver and the prospect of diving one of my ancestors wrecks is absolutely thrilling!
A trip to malin head to dive HMS Drake is on the cards methinks :) The Cressy might be a little deep for now but I will let you know should I ever dive it.
Jen
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That's interesting, Jen - not for me I'm afraid, especially in this weather :o
I presume there must be special rules covering the diving of war graves?