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Wanting info on John Frederick Bainbridge MC for WWI


michellespeed

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Hello

I am looking to try and find out what I can about the service of a John Frederick Bainbridge in WWI.

In WWII he was Major John Frederick Bainbridge MC and he died in Italy (Sept 1944 age 59) and is buried at the Gradara War Cemetery. I think he was with the Leicestershire Regiment of the Royal Pioneer Corps.

I am unable to find out what he did in the first WW though. Not as easy with him having survived but I am told that he did serve. He was born in 1885 so would have been 30'ish and he lived in Lincolnshire (South Elkington I think).

I also do not know why he got a MC in WWII still trying to find that out but not having much luck!

Hope someone can help or maybe tell me where I can find out.

Thanks

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It looks like he was in the Army Service Corps in WW1, and in one of the National Defence Companies in WW2.

From the London Gazette (LG):

LG 10-10-1914

THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS.

Tlie undermentioned to be Second Lieutenants : —

Dated 10th October, 1914.

Jack Bainbridge.

Link to Commission

LG 26-3-1915

THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS.

The name of temporary Second Lieutenant John Frederick Bainbridge is as now described, and not as stated in the Gazette of 10th October, 1914.

Link to name correction

LG 13-2-1918

THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS.

The undermentioned to be actg. Majors: —

Temp. Capt. J. F. Bainbridge. 26th Oct. 1917.

Link to Acting Major appointment

LG 22-6-1918

THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS.

Temp. Capt. J. F. Bainbridge relinquishes the actg. rank of Maj. on ceasing to comd. a H.T. Co. 25th May 1918.

Link to acting Major rank relinquishment

LG 13-5-1921

ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS.

The undermentioned relinquish their commissions on completion of service: —

Temp. Caipts., and are granted the rank of Maj. : —

J. F. Bainbridge. 11th Jan. 1919.

Link to relinquishment of commission

LG 1-8-1939

NATIONAL DEFENCE COMPANIES.

Maj. John Frederick BAINBRIDGE (late R.A.S.C.) to be Lt. 2nd Aug. 1939.

Link to NDC appontment

(This was the Home Guard I believe. He must have switched Regiment later though!)

{I must be missing a transfer to the Leicester Territorials here.}

LG 11-2-1941

TERRITORIAL ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS.

GENERAL LIST.

ROYAL ARTILLERY.

Lt. J. F. Bainbridge (93784), from Leicester R. (T.A.R.O.), to be Lt. 1st Jan. 1941, retaining his present seniority.

Link to transferr to R.A.

LG 17-11-1942

TERRITORIAL ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS.

REGIMENTAL LIST.

PIONEER CORPS.

Lt. J. F. Bainbridge (93784), from R.A., to be Lt. 12th June 1942, retaining his present seniority.

Link to transfer to Pioneer Corps

So his career in WW2 was National Defence Company -> Leicestershire Regiment (Infantry) -> Royal Artillery -> Pioneer Corps.

(The Leicestershire Regiment and the Pioneer Corps were two separate units and not a part of each other as you thought per you first post, above).

Steve.

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Hi,

This looks promising from the 1901 census, I'll cross reference on the Military database and see what comes up.

Regards. Llew.

1901 England Census

about John F Bainbridge

Name: John F Bainbridge

Age: 16

Estimated Birth Year: abt 1885

Relation: Nephew

Gender: Male

Where born: S Elkington, Lincolnshire, England

Civil Parish: Croydon

Ecclesiastical parish: St Matthew

County/Island: Surrey

Country: England

Street address:

Occupation:

Condition as to marriage:

Education:

Employment status: View Image

Registration district: Croydon

Sub registration district: Croydon

ED, institution, or vessel: 27

Neighbors: View others on page

Household schedule number: 132

Household Members: Name Age

George P Bainbridge 15

John F Bainbridge 16

Violet Connelly 7

Lily Godfrey 19

John Wm King 40

Mary Ann King 36

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Ancestry have a medal index card for him, but I can't upload it. I think there may be a problem with Ancestry.

Regards. Llew.

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Ancestry have a medal index card for him, but I can't upload it. I think there may be a problem with Ancestry.

Regards. Llew.

Having the same problem with Ancestry.

Regards Mark

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Major Bainbridges MC recommendation (WW2) can be downloaded from the National Archive here -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=9

Cost = £3.50

If the link doesn't work then just type Bainbridge in as a last name here:

WW2 Gallantry Medals search page

Here is the entry in the London Gazette (right hand column) of 6-4-1944

War Office, 6th April, 1944.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: —

The Military Cross

Lieutenant (temp. Captain) John Frederick Bainbridge (93784), Pioneer Corps.

Link to M.C. now fixed

Steve.

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Wow!

That was quick, thanks!

I have only had chance to have a quick look as I have to go out now but will have a proper look later. I think I may be back with some questions as I don't underdstand some bits!

Thanks ever so much

Will the medals index say why he got the MC?

Michelle

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I haven't researched a WW2 recommendation but, yes, I believe that it will say where and why he got the MC.

Steve.

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Mmmmm, now if we had an Expert on servicemen from Brigg around here....

Steve.

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That would be great & also someone who knows about Laceby as well - however, I'm off topic really as I am wanting WWII info as well.

That medal card is great. Is that for WWI or does it cover both? I am afraid I do not kow what all the initials & abbreviations mean. Can anyone interpret :P

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It's for WW1 only.

John Frederick Bainbridge,

An officer in the Army Service Corps (A.S.C. - became "Royal Army Service Corps." just after the end of the war.)

Embarked to France on 4-11-1914.

He was entitled to the 1914 Star (for arriving in France before 22-11-1914), British War Medal and Victory Medal. (as referenced to on the stamped area). The issue of the medals was adminstered by the R.A.S.C. with the 1914 Star being claimed on 18-12-1917 (on his behalf by the Army at Catterick, where he may have been serving at the time {Dec 1917}), and the BWM/VM "pair" being claimed in 1921 and issued in 1922.

The entitlement to these medals is recorded in two ledger book held at the National Archives at Kew - the 1914 Star on the A.S.C. Officer Roll ledger reference "Off. 18" on page 12, and the BWM/VM on the R.A.S.C. Officers Roll ledger 1, page 2169.

He was also entitled to a Clasp for his 1914 Star denoting that he had been potentially under enemy fire before 22-11-1914. The clasp was worn on the medal ribbon, with its substitute, the "rose" being worn on the medal ribbon when worn on military uniform without the metal medal itself. This is denoted by the "Clasp & Rose" line. This seems to have been issued in 1939, possibly when he re-enlisted, so he could show his full entitlement on his WW2 uniform.

The line below the Clasp & Rose line is a reference to some piece of correspondence that is or was in his file.

When he first went overseas he was a Second Lieutenant, was a temporary Capitain by the time of the 1914 Star claim (judging by ink colours) and later a Major by the time his "pair" was claimed. By this time his address had changed from Catterick to Worlaby House, Brigg, Lincolnshire.

If he is a relative, then you may be able to get a summary of service for him from the Ministry of Defence.

Steve.

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Didn't realise he got any medals in WWI.

He is not a relative - he built the house that my parents live in & I am researching the history of the house. The house was built in 1935. The house was also requisitioned and believed to have been used by the Laceby Home Guards. I am still trying to find out more about this.

I notice there is also a WWII forum which I may try for more info on this and hope they are as helpful as you have been!

Are the medals he received fairly common medals or are they for service, bravery etc? Sorry for my ignorance!

Would it have been due to what he did in WWI that he was called for service in WWII despite his age. It has been suggested that he was on the 'old' side to be called for service.

Michelle

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The medals were campaign medals. The "pair" were the standard medals for serving overseas in an active theatre of war. The 1914 Star was more prestigious as it marked the man as an "Old Contemptible" - one of the original British Army, but still issued purely on service overseas rather than for gallantry.

Steve.

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Major Bainbridges MC recommendation (WW2) can be downloaded from the National Archive here -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=9

Cost = £3.50

If the link doesn't work then just type Bainbridge in as a last name here:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...amp;queryType=1

Here is the entry in the London Gazette (right hand column) of 6-4-1944

War Office, 6th April, 1944.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: —

The Military Cross

Lieutenant (temp. Captain) John Frederick Bainbridge (93784), Pioneer Corps.

http://www.gazettesonline.co.uk/ViewPDF.as...t=&similar=

Steve.

Can't get the link to work for the Gazette. Have tried doing a search myself but does not find anything.

Could you post it again & I'll try again.

Thanks v much

Michelle

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The Gazette site seems to be having all sorts of bother over the last couple of days. The links aren't working for me either. I'll have a look at whether the links are still valid when things settle down on the site.

Steve.

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Links are now fixed. A 'hyphen' has now been added to the links by the Gazette site.

Steve.

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Any particular one, or all of them?

Steve.

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