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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: arkay on Tuesday 28 February 12 19:12 GMT (UK)

Title: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: arkay on Tuesday 28 February 12 19:12 GMT (UK)
A relative of mine, Harry V. Morton (b. 1875), served during WWI with the British Red Cross and St. John of Jerusalem.  I have found a medal card for him, but that doesn't indicate whether he served at home or abroad.  He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  No Regiment number is given.  Can anyone enlighten me?
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: jds1949 on Tuesday 28 February 12 19:17 GMT (UK)
If he was entitled to the BWM and Victory Medal then my understanding is that he must have served in a theatre of war, either France or elsewhere. There is some information here:

http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who-we-are/History-and-origin/First-World-War

jds1949
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: arkay on Tuesday 28 February 12 19:47 GMT (UK)
Thank you jds.
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: John915 on Tuesday 28 February 12 20:07 GMT (UK)
Good evening,


This site will give you all you need to know about the criteria for medals; http://www.petergh.f2s.com/medals.htm . Scroll down to the victory medal and click on the red "click here". It doesn't say there but civilian medical services were also included in the medal rolls for the war medal and victory medal.

John915
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: arkay on Tuesday 28 February 12 21:06 GMT (UK)
Hi John - I've bookmarked this very useful website. 

Thank you.
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: Scarletwoman on Wednesday 29 February 12 12:55 GMT (UK)
Harry Valentine Morton appears in the 'British Red Cross Register of Overseas Volunteers, 1914-1918' as serving with the British Red Cross Society as an orderly at No.6 British Red Cross Hospital (Liverpool Merchants).  The hospital opened in Le Touquet in March 1915 and moved to a hutted hospital at Etaples on 5th July 1915.  The BRCS Register notes that Harry Morton's posting was to Etaples, so presumably he went to France after 5th July 1915.  There's a unit war diary at The National Archives, reference WO95/4112.

Sue
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: jds1949 on Wednesday 29 February 12 14:07 GMT (UK)
Hi Sue,

May I ask where you had access to the British Red Cross Register of Overseas Volunteers 1914 - 1918, as one of the men I am researching served with one of their units?

jds1949
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: Scarletwoman on Wednesday 29 February 12 14:34 GMT (UK)
Hello

I've got my own copy - there's certainly one in the library at The National Archives, and of course at the BRCS Archives.  Let me know the name if you'd like me to have a look for you - the entries are just one-liners, but sometimes useful (as in this case!).

Sue
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: jds1949 on Wednesday 29 February 12 15:33 GMT (UK)
Hi Sue,

My man was Richard E Swarbrick [Victory Medal, BWM & 1915 Star] Date of entry to France: 22nd March 1915.

Any additional information would be most welcome - I currently have at least two possible candidates for this man, so anything which aids positive identification would be welcome.

Thanks,

jds1949
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: Scarletwoman on Wednesday 29 February 12 15:40 GMT (UK)
Richard Edward Swarbrick
Chauffeur
Motor Department, Boulogne
Passport No. 10586

Boulogne is given as his destination on leaving the UK, so possible he moved later on. He appears in the main part of the book which is for those still serving in 1918.

Sue
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: jds1949 on Wednesday 29 February 12 15:42 GMT (UK)
Sue you are a star - thanks!

jds1949
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: arkay on Wednesday 29 February 12 18:20 GMT (UK)
Hello Sue,

You are indeed a star!  Thank you very much for your reply with the information about Harry.

Arkay
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: kingskerswell on Saturday 14 July 12 19:04 BST (UK)
Sue,
      I hope that you can do a look-up for me. I am researching a Lilian Stewart who is mentioned as a driver in the "BRC and St JJ" in WW1. Any information will be gratefully recieved.

Regards
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: Scarletwoman on Sunday 15 July 12 11:19 BST (UK)
Unfortunately Lilian Stewart doesn't have an entry in the BRCS Register of Overseas Volunteers, though I see she does have a medal index card.  Maybe the BRCS Archives will have more details on her.

Regards   ---   Sue
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: kingskerswell on Sunday 15 July 12 11:48 BST (UK)
Sue,
      Thanks for your time. I am trying to determine if the lady on the medal card was my aunt.

Regards
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: innesaj on Wednesday 30 January 13 11:37 GMT (UK)
Quote from: arkay on Tuesday 28 February 12 19:12 GMT (UK)
A relative of mine, Harry V. Morton (b. 1875), served during WWI with the British Red Cross and St. John of Jerusalem.  I have found a medal card for him, but that doesn't indicate whether he served at home or abroad.  He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  No Regiment number is given.  Can anyone enlighten me?

I believe that Harry Valentine Morton was married to my grandfather's sister, Margaret Innes. I would be grateful for any information that you could share about them.
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: arkay on Wednesday 30 January 13 22:12 GMT (UK)
Replied by email to innesaj.
Title: Re: British Red Cross & St. J.J.
Post by: Andy D on Thursday 25 July 19 15:56 BST (UK)
Hello I am after further information regarding John Kennedy,  he served in France from 6 Nov 1914 to 3 Feb 1915 as an orderly with the BRCS.  I would appreciate any help.

Regards

Andy