Clasp and roses explanaion
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=680833.0"Added to the 1914 Star:
Clasp
5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914
Often referred to as Clasp and Roses. Instituted in 1919 (Army Order Number 361 published 16 October 1919) and awarded to those who had operated within range of enemy mobile artillery during the above period.[5] When the ribbon bar was worn alone, recipients of the clasp to the medal wore a small silver rosette on the ribbon bar.
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1914_Star"
So he most certainly was in danger between these dates 5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914
*Right on his medal card it says 5/11/14 as his entry date into his first theatre of war.
"The clasp turns the 1914 Star into a ‘Mons Star’. Soldiers operating in the rear received the 1914 Star without the clasp and roses. The next of kin of men who had died did not receive the roses."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_MonsIt is a gallantry award in its own way "awarded to those who had operated within range of enemy mobile artillery", sounds like a V.C if your were a wet behind the ears reporter working because you were to young to be sent to fight. I don't think he ever qualified for a V.C. We all know V.C.s are given for 'bravery under fire'. Perhaps there was no difference thought of in the first four months of WW1 by the public, even if the military awarded V.Cs in this battle to other celebrated men!
I doubt it was a story made up by Gunner S.E.Fagg, the man is a hero. They marched for miles in retreat under fire, wounded and ordered to return to their enforcement lines nearer Paris. They were also vastly out numbered by the German Army.
The Battle of Mons helped save Paris from invasion in WW1 and was one of Britains first battles. At the time of the newspaper article it would have been big news.
A video account of the battle of Mons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGtfUwW3ZFIThis man did 12 years service, that is a long time.
Another comment none of the records viewed on the Kent History Forum show his wounds within the dates of the battle of Mons but that doesn't mean he was not wounded at that battle. People seem to think army record keeping is infaliable! I wonder if there are undiscovered hospital records in Britain to be found yet.
