help re Military Cross & medal card please?

[the cat's mother]

hi Wendi

Thanks for warm welcome.

Husband is going to show me how to do this tomorrow, I showed him what I had posted today (as he is his relative! though would love him to be "on my side")
and he is going to show me tomorrow.... in between all the xmas shopping we have to do....

Ta
Christine

[Wendi]

Hope hubbie isn't too pooped after the Christmas shopping to show you how.............these guys are not used to 6 hours shopping ! - but remind him we're all waiting 

Enjoy your day!

Wendi

[colrob]

I look forward to reading in the London Gazette that Mr Christine has been awarded a gallantry medal for shopping.

The citation might read:
'For Coolness Under Fire' or perhaps
'For Devotion Beyond the Course of Normal Duty'.
 

[the cat's mother]

Christmas shopping with the husband reminds me of Kipling's famous poem...  If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you... (or another of Kipling's "Take my word for it, the silliest woman can manage a clever man"!!!)   

But back to Rober Hancock  the reason I downloaded Medal Card was to see if it would reveal any more than I knew from London Gazette and also what I have read on the Somme on line from the day I know he was injured.  This may be another thread for me but does anybody know what a visit to Kew would reveal to me and also what I would need to know.  I have his service no. regt. etc. can I basically turn up and investigate the records (provided there are any I know from reading books that there was extensive damage to records during WWII) or is there a protocol etc.

Thanks again, this has been truly lovely was a bit concerened as a newbie I would be intimidated by people who knew their stuff!!!

[manmack]

in the roll of honour for the 6th,7th,8th and 9th battalions of the leicester regt,sgt hancock is listed as transferring to class Z army reserve on 2-5-19,these battalions made up the 110th infantry brigade,mack

[Wendi]

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.............You haven't got a true grasp of the situation 

This may be another thread for me but does anybody know what a visit to Kew would reveal to me and also what I would need to know.  I have his service no. regt. etc. can I basically turn up and investigate the records (provided there are any I know from reading books that there was extensive damage to records during WWII) or is there a protocol etc.

There are various discussions on Rootschat regarding "visiting Kew/National Archives" and I'm sure some of that chaps who go to Kew regularly will comment here too.

- hope the shopping went well 

Wendi

[bernard_lewis]

Have you seen Matthew Richardson's book on the Leicester battalions?: its called 'The Tigers' and is available from Pan & Sword Books, Barnsley. Only a F.J.Hancock in the index but if you want to know what they did/where they went...

On the London Gazette I understand that the search engine is being upgraded - results are very erratic at present apparently - so my earlier post may need reading in that light.

Bernard

[bernard_lewis]

ps as you say the soldiers records at Kew are not complete - almost 70% destroyed by bombing in WW2. However, I have seen a number of these records (and not found a great deal more) and - if surviving - they will usually give a lot more info on your man. Forms he has filled in, Army forms charting his progress, discipline etc. Discharge testimonials from officers etc. Well worth a look.

Beyond the book (earlier post) the Battalion War Diary will give a day by day account of activities and might just name the man. Again, check the Bn and the units ABOVE it - Brigade and Division as they might have info on significant actions that involved your man.

Bernard

Bernard

[the cat's mother]

thanks all again - funnily enough have ordered the Leics tigers book mentioned before reading this post (xmas present from me to me!)   I think next step Kew...