Harry Lamming 3rd Lincolnshire Regt/RGA

[Guest sjskeenan]

How do I find out the circumstances around my grandfather being awarded a Military Medal? Briefest of mentions in London Gazette just says 34915 Sgt H. Lamming RGA (Sutton) 26.8.1918. He always said it was for "bringing up the rum"! He is described as a seige specialist, I think he was involved in a mobile artillery unit which was called upon every time something was about to break. It was said he was at every major battle in France 1914-1918.

Any information on where I look next gratefully received.

Also any information on the Old Contemptables.

Stephanie Keenan

[AndrewThornton]

Stephanie

There are couple of sources that would be worth looking at:

1) The unit war diary at the Public Record Office may have some information about the circumstances of your Grandfather's award of the MM. You would need to look several months prior to the gazette date to see if he is mentioned. It may take a long time to find anything (if you do at all) but it's worth a try if you have the opportunity.

2) Local Newspapers are a valuable source as they often reported awards of medals to local men, sometimes containing information on the circumstances of the award, which in the case of Military Medals is extremely difficult to come by. Perhaps if you have a browse on a search engine for Sutton Library you may be able to find where editions of the local newspaper are held.

Hope this helps.

PS What sort of information are you looking for with regard to the "Old Contemptibles"?