Guest milpat Posted 2 June , 2004 Share Posted 2 June , 2004 I have just inherited from my Grandmother, a large bronze circular medal with the words "he died for freedom and honour" and my Great Uncle's name Donald Middleton printed on the medal. My children who are 6 and 8 are fascinated by the story of such a young man, he was 20, losing his life. I understand that he was a Private in "C" squadron, and dies on the 25th November 1917. I was wondering whether all servicemen who died received this plaque, and if anybody out there had any information on Mr Donald Middleton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoch beard Posted 2 June , 2004 Share Posted 2 June , 2004 hello, 300867 pte donald middleton staffs yeo killed in action 25/11/17 egypt enlisted stafford residence wolverhampton enoch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 2 June , 2004 Share Posted 2 June , 2004 Hello milpat, welcome to the forum. If you look at this thread on the forum, you'll see that I typed the entire war history of the Staffs Yeomanry, so you'll be able to see where you Great Uncle served and died. According to the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Name: MIDDLETON, DONALD Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment: Staffordshire Yeomanry Unit: "C" Sqdn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 25/11/1917 Service No: 300867 Additional information: Son of William and Lavinia E. Middleton, of 20, Newbridge St., Wolverhampton. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 Cemetery: JERUSALEM MEMORIAL Thus he has no known grave, but is listed on one of the panels on the Jerusalem Memorial. Hope that gives you a good start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ypres Posted 2 June , 2004 Share Posted 2 June , 2004 Hi, from Soldiers Died, Donald Middleton, 300867 Died in Egypt, from CWGC Son of William and Lavinia E. Middleton, of 20, Newbridge St., Wolverhampton. JERUSALEM MEMORIAL Panel 2. Thats all i have but i am sure others will be able to give you more info. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 2 June , 2004 Share Posted 2 June , 2004 Hello Milpat. Donald Middleton commemorated here in Wolverhampton.http://wolverhamptonwarmemorials.com/Compton-Road-Memorial Regards Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest milpat Posted 3 June , 2004 Share Posted 3 June , 2004 Hello Milpat. Donald Middleton commemorated here in Wolverhampton.http://wolverhamptonwarmemorials.com/Compton-Road-Memorial Regards Doug Doug, thanks for the info, my parents in Aldridge are going to check it out. Could you tell me where I can find out when and where he enlisted? Millie is taking part in a speech competition and this is going to be her project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest milpat Posted 3 June , 2004 Share Posted 3 June , 2004 How do I find out where and when my Great Uncle enlisted in the Yeomanry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewThornton Posted 3 June , 2004 Share Posted 3 June , 2004 "Enoch Beard" has given you the information on the town where your Great Uncle enlisted in your earlier posting - Stafford. Stafford was the location of the Regimental Headquarters of the Staffordshire Yeomanry before the war and was where many of the recruits went to enlist, as the Territorial Force maintained separate recruiting arrangements up until December 1915 when direct enlistments were abolished. It may be worthwhile looking at the microfilms of the "Express and Star" or "Midland Evening News" held at Wolverhampton Archives. These might just provide you with an approximate date of when he joined the Yeomanry. His parents may have provided these local newspapers with details for an obituary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 3 June , 2004 Share Posted 3 June , 2004 Milpat You have two threads open on this subject,your question has been answered on the other one,click on the Long Long Trail and find out how to research your Great Uncle. According to CWGC & SDGW, Donald enlisted in Stafford, C Squadron were from Burton-on-Trent. Regards Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 3 June , 2004 Share Posted 3 June , 2004 I have just inherited from my Grandmother, a large bronze circular medal with the words "he died for freedom and honour" and my Great Uncle's name Donald Middleton on the medal. on the 25th November 1917. I was wondering whether all servicemen who died received this plaque, In answer to this part of your original query, Yes the Authorised Next of Kin of All those who died,or were killed in action,or whose post War death was attributed to War service,would have in normal circumstances received this Plaque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pete Wood Posted 4 June , 2004 Share Posted 4 June , 2004 In answer to this part of your original query, Yes the Authorised Next of Kin of All those who died,or were killed in action,or whose post War death was attributed to War service,would have in normal circumstances received this Plaque. If I can just clear up a point, here: The "authorised next of kin" is the nearest next of kin of the deceased when the plaque and scroll was issued. For example, if an unmarried soldier did not see eye to eye with his parents, he might have made his brother his next of kin (in his will). BUT, the army would have presented his scroll to his nearest next of kin (father), irrespective of the soldier's wishes. The scroll was often sent months, if not years, before the plaque. So, hypothetically, the plaque would (if the father has subsequently died) be sent to the nearest relative (the mother, who might be divorced and married to another man). In other words, it was sent to the nearest next of kin, AT THE TIME OF ISSUE, according to a list drawn up by the records office - and not neceesarily be issued to the person (or member of family) elected by the soldier in any will (and/or legal document). So the plaque could, and often did, end up in one household - while the scroll ended up with another family. Only one plaque and one scroll was issued. So even though a distant relative may have had more of a 'moral' claim to the plaque and scroll, the government would not issue a second set (even for payment) to another family member. I do know of some families who got around this, by claiming that the plaque had been stolen - or destroyed in a fire. But it needed the original claimant of the plaque and scroll to be part to this deception, in order for another member of the family to receive a replacement. Post war deaths had to be confirmed by a doctor, as attributable to war causes. Even then, the military often over-ruled the decision and refused to make a plaque. Basically, if a pension was awarded then a plaque and scroll was issued. Women were also eligible to receive a plaque and scroll in the right circumstances. Soldiers who were executed were NOT eligible for a plaque and scroll. However, the next of kin of SOME soldiers, shot at dawn, did receive a plaque and scroll. The plaque was issused to the NOK of soldiers who died in accidents or committed suicide, but not to those "who died in disgraceful circumstances." This phrase does not apply to executed soldiers, and was applied to an additional group of soldiers. I have no idea what the above phrase means, and I welcome any feedback (and examples!!) on it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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