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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: joysmith7mr on Thursday 30 August 12 22:42 BST (UK)
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My Grandfather, Robert Redman of 2nd Battalion The Hampshire Regiment, won the Military Medal in WW1. We know he was in action at Gallapolli and the Battle of the Somme and was mentioned in dispatches, but we don't know have a citation indicating why he was awarded the Military Medal.
His British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Card indicates he was a Cpl with number 8211 and then a Sergeant with the same number and then ditto with number 5485131. It seems from the card (which has MM after his name) that he was awarded the MM when a Sergeant. The roll number on the card for the Victory and British medals is C/1/103 and then B23, page 2237. There is a funny little symbol (like an x with a dot in each of the four quadrants) against this, the MM after his name and the rank of Sgt, so I'm assuming the three are related.
The roll number for the Star seems to be C/1/8/B page 23. In the remarks Disc is written, which I assume means Discharged - but then just above the Theatre of War line (2b Balkans) it says LS & DC (Long Service and Distinguished Conduct?) AO 150 1927 and in the Remarks against this is AS/C/2214, beneath which is says something like 68/Genl/4856. There is a hash (#) beside the LS & DC and also beside the last military number of 5485131, so these must be connected. I know that after the war he was the Officers' Mess Sergeant and I also know that he was in Bingen on the Rhine in the Army of Occupation, as my Dad once told us about being there as a young boy (Dad was born in 1921) and skating on the Rhine.
On Ancestry I have found him in the 1911 census as being in the army, but although we know he was born on 9 Jun 1890 in Brighton, we can't find in in the 1891 or 1901 census. He is supposed to have run away from home to join the Army but was underage (the Sussex Regiment wouldn't take him) so he is rumoured to have lied about his age and got into the Hampshires - so the date of birth may not be accurate! We know very little about his family and would love to be able to find out more.
I have looked at the London Gazette but can't find anything.
Is there any way of finding out when and for what reason he was awarded The Military Medal?
Does the above record tell me anything else about his service or is there anywhere else I can go/contact to find out more?
I would be most grateful for any help or advice anyone can give. Many thanks, Joy
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Hi Joy ,
Found this -
London Gazette 13th March 1918(Awards of the Military Medal)
8211 Sjt. R. Redman, Hamps. R. (Brighton)
ev
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Sometimes details of why MMs were awarded were printed in local newspapers.My grandmothers brother was a MM recipient and i am searching the old newspapers on microfilm in the local library but it haven't found it.It can be a long process because you need to search a few months worth of papers.
Steve
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My grandfather was awarded the MM and my uncle actually has the medal, but I can't even find his name in the Index, let alone what it was for!!
Melbell.
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Hi folks
Thanks to everyone for their comments - especially to ev! This must be my Grandad as the numbers match. I couldn't find this in the London Gazette, so I'm so pleased!
Thank you so much.
Kind regards
Joy
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Always worth trying the Regimental Museum -looks like they may well have some really useful resources. This link takes you into the middle of their website: http://www.serleshouse.co.uk/our_services.html
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Melbell
What was his name and any other details?
Ady
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A majority of awards in the 13th March gazette were for the battle of Cambrai or for East Africa.
Ady
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My grandfather founght in France from 1916 -1918, afte returning from Gallipolli, so it's quite possible it was Cambrai.
Thanks!
Joy
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Dear Ady
Thanks for your interest. I cannot answer just now but will do so in a couple of weeks' time, if you don't mind.
Ta very much,
Melbell.