eltoro1960 Posted 5 June , 2006 Share Posted 5 June , 2006 I am researching this local man (Newtongrange,Midlothian) and would welcome any information on him. I have various local newpaper clippings on him as he is promoted / decorated but I am having difficulty tracking him down on the London Gazette. He originally came from the North East but moved as a boy.Any information appreciated. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 5 June , 2006 Share Posted 5 June , 2006 Part1 - the easy bit: DCM Bar. LG 3-9-1918 267438 Cpl. J. Collins, D.C.M., M.M., Sea. Highrs. (Newtongrange). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout a week's fighting this N.C.O. set a fine example in organising the men in trying situations. He rallied a platoon of another unit which was withdrawing leaderless, and put it in position. He reorganised fragments of another brigade. By a personal reconnaissance he obtained good information and placed troops to cover the flank. He brought a wounded man out of action on his back, and on every occasion used his rifle with good effect. (D.C.M. gazetted 22nd October, 1917.) http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 5 June , 2006 Share Posted 5 June , 2006 Part 2: MM award LG 9-12-1916 S/9532 Pte. J. Collins, Sea. Highrs. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 5 June , 2006 Share Posted 5 June , 2006 Part 3: MM. (AGAIN!!) LG 18-6-1917 267438 Pte. J. Collins, Sea. Highrs. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= Deleted in LG 17-9-1917 DELETIONS. London Gazette dated 18th June, 1917. Delete 267438 Pte. J. Collins, Sea. Highrs. (M.M. gazetted 9th December, 1916.) http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= And replaced by: LG 29-8-1917 MM Bar. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Military Medal to the undermentioned Noncommissioned Officers and Men: — 267438 Pte. J. Collins, Sea. Highrs. (formerly 9532). (M.M. gazetted 9th December, 1916.) http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 5 June , 2006 Share Posted 5 June , 2006 Part 4: LG 22-10-1917 Announcement of DCM. 267438 L./Cpl. J. Collins, Sea..Highrs. (Midlothian). http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= And Citation. LG 26-1-1918 267438 L./Cpl. J. Collins, Sea. Highrs. (Midlothian). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After his platoon commander had become a casualty, he led them with great skill and gallantry to their objective, which he consolidated under heavy machine-gun fire. When hostile fire caused his platoon to cease work, he immediately led four of his men to a position from which he could enfilade the enemy machine-gun, which he and two others then rushed and captured, having killed two of the team by rifle grenades. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltoro1960 Posted 5 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 5 June , 2006 Obliged to you for that information, London Gazette seemed to be playing up for me, thanks very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinH Posted 5 June , 2006 Share Posted 5 June , 2006 John, I've also been researching a soldier who won the DCM and Bar, MM and Bar. He was Sgt. 29955 William Fraser of the 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regt. Up to now, I knew of only four soldiers who recieved this combination of awards. James Collins makes it five. The others were: L/Cpl William Coltman, North Staffordshire Regt. (Who also received the V.C.) Sjt. William Fraser, Liverpool Regt. Sjt. E. V. Payne, 19 Div. Sig. Coy. Royal Engineers. Sjt. H. J. Faulkner, Canadian Engineers. As Coltman was a strecther bearer, Collins and Fraser would have been the only two to have achieved this feat acting as infantrymen (Unless there are others I don't know about). When this was discussed a while ago on a medal collecting site, it was suggested that a quadruple gallantry award for WWI was over thirty times rarer than a VC! Regards Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltoro1960 Posted 5 June , 2006 Author Share Posted 5 June , 2006 John, I've also been researching a soldier who won the DCM and Bar, MM and Bar. He was Sgt. 29955 William Fraser of the 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regt. Up to now, I knew of only four soldiers who recieved this combination of awards. James Collins makes it five. The others were: L/Cpl William Coltman, North Staffordshire Regt. (Who also received the V.C.) Sjt. William Fraser, Liverpool Regt. Sjt. E. V. Payne, 19 Div. Sig. Coy. Royal Engineers. Sjt. H. J. Faulkner, Canadian Engineers. As Coltman was a strecther bearer, Collins and Fraser would have been the only two to have achieved this feat acting as infantrymen (Unless there are others I don't know about). When this was discussed awhile ago on a medal collecting site, it was suggested that a quadruple gallantry award for WWI was over thirty times rarer than a VC! Regards Gavin Thanks for that Gavin I realised early doors this was a pretty rare group of medals to be awarded, starting to realise now just how rare. It would appear to make him the only Scotsman to have this group so far. I'm surprised he survived, although he did , I have a newspaper clipping of him being the guest of honour at the Masonic Lodge where was a member post war, and it would appear he just about brought the house down when he entered. Lots of patriotic signing , speeches,beer , etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinH Posted 5 June , 2006 Share Posted 5 June , 2006 It would appear to make him the only Scotsman to have this group so far. Fraser, although having a Scottish name, and serving with the Liverpool Regiment, was actually from South London. So you could well be right. Regards Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glosters Posted 6 June , 2006 Share Posted 6 June , 2006 John, I've also been researching a soldier who won the DCM and Bar, MM and Bar. He was Sgt. 29955 William Fraser of the 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regt. Up to now, I knew of only four soldiers who recieved this combination of awards. James Collins makes it five. The others were: L/Cpl William Coltman, North Staffordshire Regt. (Who also received the V.C.) Sjt. William Fraser, Liverpool Regt. Sjt. E. V. Payne, 19 Div. Sig. Coy. Royal Engineers. Sjt. H. J. Faulkner, Canadian Engineers. Regards Gavin 5820 CSM William Biddle, 1/Gloucestershire Regiment. MC, DCM & bar, MM & bar, & MID Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavinH Posted 6 June , 2006 Share Posted 6 June , 2006 Thanks Steve, Another one I wasn't aware of. My total has increased by 50% in two days! Regards Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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