Author Topic: Croix de Guerre, George Hannan, Coatbridge  (Read 399 times)

Offline The Longfellow

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Croix de Guerre, George Hannan, Coatbridge
« on: Thursday 13 February 20 16:34 GMT (UK) »
George Hannan of the 2nd Highland Light Infantry (Service Number 7749) was awarded the Croix de Guerre in WWI.  Newspaper articles from 1919 report that he was presented with a gold watch and diploma by Judge Kellock, on behalf of the citizens of Coatbridge.  I can find no details of the action that led to him being awarded the medal. 

Can anybody help?

Offline MaxD

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Re: Croix de Guerre, George Hannan, Coatbridge
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 13 February 20 17:48 GMT (UK) »
Foreign awards were not necessarily awarded for a single action.  The foreign power, in his case the President of the French Republic, (or realistically the government on his behalf) would invite the British authorities to send names of men thought worthy of such recognition.  These were submitted up the British chain of command from a man's unit.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31409/supplement/7809 is the first page of the list on which he appears, note that the awards are for "distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign".  He is on page 7809.

MaxD
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Offline The Longfellow

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Re: Croix de Guerre, George Hannan, Coatbridge
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 13 February 20 21:20 GMT (UK) »
Many thanks to MaxD for finding this information and for the explanation of the procedure involved.  All in little over an hour since I posted my query! 

(I'm sure I'd tried the London Gazette without success, but this link worked perfectly.) 

Thanks again.

Offline MaxD

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Re: Croix de Guerre, George Hannan, Coatbridge
« Reply #3 on: Friday 14 February 20 09:42 GMT (UK) »
Interesting record, medal records and pension records on Ancestry (the latter on Fold3).  Joined in 1912, deserted in 1915, court martial in Sep 1915, returned (no date) invalided out in 1919. Served first in 2 HLI then later in 12 HLI.

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia


Offline The Longfellow

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Re: Croix de Guerre, George Hannan, Coatbridge
« Reply #4 on: Friday 14 February 20 11:26 GMT (UK) »
Yes, there's an interesting story in there somewhere.  My current Ancestry subscription doesn't allow access to Fold3, but I'll maybe revisit that problem later.  Thanks again for your input, MaxD.  I am in your debt.  Rootschat is an excellent forum with some very obliging contributors.