Reseaching Albert Oscar Bush

[Guest QARNNS Officer]

Hello there.

I am researching my great uncle Albert.

Name: BUSH, ALBERT (oscar)

Initials: A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment: Middlesex Regiment

Unit Text: 1st/7th Bn.

Age: 25

Date of Death: 10/09/1916

Service No: 2357

Additional information: Son of Oscar and Emily Bush, of 38, Springfield Rd., New Southgate, London. Native of Birmingham.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIV. H. 6.

Cemetery: DELVILLE WOOD CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL

I've found him, I've visited his grave and what a still chilling place the Deville cemetary was. What an even quieter place the forest was. However, my curiousity was not sated by this. Although I was the first in my family to visit his grave site and proud to do so, I really want to find out when and how he was killed? The Middlesex regimental diaries are somewhat confusing - apparently his battalion was rotated off the line at the time he was killed, but then I'm not even sure of this.

Do anyone have any suggestions regarding

1)how I might find out how he died,

2)if the regiment has a picture of him, or any other visiual records of the engagement it was involved in over that summer?

3)what medals he might have qualifed for, if and when they've ever been issued.

Many thanks,

Lt. Chris Ward RN QARNNS

This posting is a private inquiry and does not represent the Royal Navy in any way.

[Northern Soul]

Your Great Uncle was killed during the the battle of Ginchy (usual date is September 9th, 1916). 1/7 Middlesex were in 167th Bde., 56th Division. I don't have access to regimental histories or war diaries but if there is confusion as to precisly what they were doing on the 10th then in all probability they were simply in (close) support to the front-line troops, providing working parties etc., and this is when he was killed. Elsewhere on the forum there is a list of people who hold copies of regimental/battalion specific literature and I'm sure one of them will help.

His medal entitlement can be gleaned by visiting the Public Records Office (National Archives) website and downloading a copy of his Medal Index Card (£3 - I checked, and it is there). He has a fairly low service number so probably served with the Battalion throughout all of their time in France until his death.

Andy.

[Doug Lewis]

Chris

Welcome to the forum

Go here for Alberts medal entitlement

http://www.documentsonline.pro.gov.uk/deta...1&resultcount=1

SDGW records Albert as being Killed in Action as oppossed to dying of wounds or accidentally if that helps.

There are lot of knowledgable people on this forum who may be able to help you further

Regards Doug

[Guest QARNNS Officer]

Thx guys, that was quick.

The image of his medal card I can download - what is it? what does it represent? please excuse my complete ignorance of this despite being a serving officer!

The family is uncertain regarding we ever saw any of the medal(s) and I am simply curious.

Now of course I can't put it down until I've found out everything I can about him.

[Doug Lewis]

Chris

Download his medal card it will cost you three pounds,you will get Alberts and five other mens cards. In basic terms the card will give Alberts name service no,regt ,his medal entitlement and possibly the date and theatre he entered.

Regards Doug

[Guest QARNNS Officer]

Thanks Doug,

I've d/l as you suggested. There he is, and yes he was KIA, he was with them for 18 months before he was killed, starting the war in March 1915 (almost 89 years to the day)

I've attached the file because it doesn't tell me a great deal - there are some annotations regarding the Victory and the Star.

Can anyone make more sense of it than me?

Chris

34381.pdf

[Doug Lewis]

Chris

He was awarded the 1915 Star,British & Victory medal. The enumaration is in regards to the Medal Roll and page number.

Look here on Long Long Trail

http://www.1914-1918.net/grandad6.htm for more info on the medal awards.

Regards Doug.

[Guest QARNNS Officer]

Thanks again Doug, for your time and patience

So, the one question I have that remains is, where are these medals? They are family heirlooms.

Unfortunatley I am on the female side of his decendants. I know that my great grandfather, who was a bandsman, came home with a row of medals; he was gassed and couldn't play his trumpet anymore; those went to my cousins, my mothers younger brother....

would these medals have automatically been given to his nearest living relative? where they awarded posthumerously? How did they do things back then?

Thanks again Doug and anyone else for your assistance.

Chris

[Doug Lewis]

So, the one question I have that remains is, where are these medals?

Chris

That is the million pound question,there are many of us out there asking where their relatives medals are now. I would like my relatives medals but they could be anywhere,all I have is my great Grandads Victory medal,knowing that his British War medal was sold about sixty years ago.

Regards Doug

[Stephen Nulty]

Hello Chris

My great-Uncle, James Nulty, also fell in the battle of Ginchy on 9th September 1916. He was with the 9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

I have transcribed the war diary for the period resulting in his death, and it's attached. Although he wasn't in the same units as your great-Uncle, I suspect that his regiment's diary may have looked very similar to this.

Regards

Stephen