Hello Karen,
I relaise your thread is a month or so old, but just in case you have not progressed any further as yet...
Your Great Granddad's MIC tells us a little about his service. First of all, it looks as though he served with the 1st Battalion of the West Yorkshires, and arrived in the theatre of war in September 1914.
His medal entitlement was:
1914 Star = awarded for service ashore in France and Flanders between 5 August and 22 November 1914
British War Medal = was awarded to eligible service personnel and civilians. Qualification for the award varied slightly according to service. The basic requirement for army personnel and civilians was that they either entered a theatre of war, or rendered approved service overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. Service in Russia in 1919 and 1920 also qualified for the award.
Victory Medal = was awarded to all eligible personnel who served on the establishment of a unit in an operational theatre.
He was also awarded a clasp and a rose which was given to those individuals who had actually been under fire between the prescribed dates.. This took the form of a dated clasp which was worn on the ribbon of the 1914 Star, or a silver rosette which was intended for the ribbon when only ribbons were being worn.
Information about the 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment on the Long Long Trail gives the following:
'1st Battalion
August 1914 : in Lichfield. Part of 18th Brigade in 6th Division. Moved on 7 August to Dunfermline then six days later to Cambridge.
Landed St Nazaire (France) on 10 September 1914.'
Hope this is of some use.
Regards,
Peter.
