New medal information at TNA?

[Ron Clifton]

Hello all

I'm not a medal buff myself, but on updating my lists of WO files at TNA I came across the following, which were not there when I last did an update.

I don't know how recently there were released, but they might be of interest to some of you:

WO 162/373 Index to Medals Branch Decisions Books for the 1914-1918 War 1917 Jan 01 - 1935 Dec 31

WO 162/374 Medals Branch Decisions Book: 1914 Star 1917 Jan 01 - 1922 Dec 31

WO 162/375 Medals Branch Decisions Book: 1914-1915 Star 1918 Jan 01 - 1921 Dec 31

WO 162/376 Medals Branch Decisions Book: 1914-1918 1919 Jan 01 - 1925 Dec 31

WO 162/377 Medals Branch Decisions Book: Victory Medal 1919 Jan 01 - 1920 Dec 31

WO 162/378 Medals Branch Decisions Book, c.1855-1935 1900 Jan 01 - 1935 Dec 31

WO 162/379 Medals Branch Decisions Book: Expeditionary Force 1914 1918 Jan 01 - 1920 Dec 31

WO 162/380 Medals Branch Decisions Book: 1914-1918 1927 Jan 01 - 1940 Dec 31

The dates quoted for each entry are presumably the first and last dates (or at least years) of correspondence within the book.

Ron

[John_Hartley]

Any idea what they are?

[Ron Clifton]

Not a clue, John, I'm afraid!

I would guess that they contain correspondence from/about soldiers, or units, as to whether they qualified for the issue of the medal in question. I also assume that WO162/376 relates to the British War Medal.

Ron

[Promenade]

Hi,

They may be the so-called 'bad boys books' ie decisions on why medals were forfeit or reinstated.

Promenade

[Keith_history_buff]

  

On 30/09/2023 at 15:58, Matlock1418 said:

It depends how far one wants to go but at TNA there is https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11445156  

Medals Branch Decisions Book: 1914-1918

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This record has not been digitised and cannot be downloaded.

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Reference: WO 162/380

Description: Medals Branch Decisions Book: 1914-1918

Date: 1927 Jan 01 - 1940 Dec 31

Held by: The National Archives, Kew

It seems it may also include details on processes, including for supplementary [later] submissions.

Just a thought for anyone who is interested and able to visit Kew.

M

 

I doubt that you are aware, but in WW1 medal collecting circles, there are about half a dozen books that are the "bibles" when it comes to reference material. One of those is the Medal Yearbook, published by Token Publishing, by the late John Mussell and his son Phil. One further example is The Great War Medal Collectors Companion Volume I  (first edition 2011) authored by Howard Williamson. In twelve months time, this book will be republished, and updated based upon further research. The content of these decision books will be reflected in the second edition.

 

[rolt968]

Is it possible that they may contain at least some dates of arrival in theatre which are not on the Medal Rolls or Medal Roll Index Cards?

RM

[Keith_history_buff]

I do not believe that will be the case.

In a modern workplace, there will be groups of people that work on a service, product or application. It is possible that certain grey area scenarios are not clear cut when it comes to interpretations of the rules. These may be put on hold, and a decision is made at a subsequent meeting, for example an operations review, or a change committee.

In a similar matter, grey area topics that went to adjudication in the 1920s, so that a decision could be made, are documented by these decision books

Capitaine L. de St Andre, French Military Mission attached 15th Brigade

Major General Lord Edward Gleichen applies on behalf of Capt. L. de St Andre. Address: 35 Catherine Street, London SW1.
Ineligible [as] star confined to British subjects only auth 68/121/410

His medal index card documents that his claim was rejected. The decision as to whether or not to award a medal will be documented in the decision books as a case study.

Service of a soldier with French Army (Allied Armies) does not count as qualifying service for either the "1914 Star" or chevrons.

0144/5504

Enquiry as to the eligibility of French Official Interpreters to British Units in France for 1914 Star.
It has been decided that any Commemorative medals that have been or may be sanctioned for British troops will not be available for issue to individuals of foreign nationality.

W.S/5/2492

In order to obviate the interchange of war medals between the allies, it has been decided that the "1914 Star" and any other British commemorative medals that may be sanctioned, are to be confined to British subjects only.
Lieut. M Mairesse enquires eligibility of French officers for decoration equivalent to "1914 Star".

The good news is that for anyone unsure of what they want for Christmas in 2024, but likes the look of this, they have 12+ months in which to add the book to their Christmas list.