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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: tonyfebruary on Monday 20 November 17 19:35 GMT (UK)

Title: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: tonyfebruary on Monday 20 November 17 19:35 GMT (UK)
My friend at work as asked me if I can find out anything about his Great Grandfather Arthur Holmes born Castleford 1888 and died in Castleford 1963 he told me his Grandfather had won a Distinguished Conduct Medal in World War One. I think I found his medal card his service number was S/3129  but there is a UK Citations of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1914-1920 that I cannot see I think it is the same man I could tell my friend what his Great Grandfather won the medal for.

Any help would be much appreciated Tony
Title: Re: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: Pennines on Monday 20 November 17 20:24 GMT (UK)
There is an entry in the London Gazette Supplement of 16 Nov 1915;

Title: Re: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: tonyfebruary on Monday 20 November 17 20:46 GMT (UK)
Thank you very much Pennines that is excellent my friend said something about his Great Grandfather being gassed so it was in the rescue of the men.

Thanks again Tony
Title: Re: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: Pennines on Monday 20 November 17 20:50 GMT (UK)
Tony -- you should be able to find something out about the location mentioned in that report if you google it maybe (I haven't tried).
Title: Re: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: MaxD on Monday 20 November 17 22:15 GMT (UK)
You may wish to download the war diary for the period which will put the deed in context of what else was going on.  Here: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14054084

There is a description of the efforts made that earned him the award.  The incident took place in trenches described in the diary as "east of Laventie".  The trench lines on this linked map are not from 1915 but otherwise you could find the area on a present day map (on the right)
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15&lat=50.6244&lon=2.7771&layers=101464705&right=BingHyb

MaxD
Title: Re: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: MaxD on Tuesday 21 November 17 09:32 GMT (UK)
The "Red Lamp Salient" referred to in the citation is a wee bit further east that the area I cited on the link yesterday.  It included the Wick Salient and Fauquissart which are marked on the map in square 13 in this link.  Red Lamp corner can also be seen.
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15&lat=50.6137&lon=2.7984&layers=101464705&right=BingHyb

Again, the trench systems aren't those of Oct 1915, can't find a map with those!

MaxD
Title: Re: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: Pennines on Tuesday 21 November 17 11:24 GMT (UK)
What great information you have provided MaxD.
Title: Re: Arthur Holmes from Castleford Distinguished Conduct Medal winner
Post by: MaxD on Tuesday 21 November 17 13:23 GMT (UK)
My pleasure, always nice to get as full a picture as possible.

MaxD