15051 Gnr (later Bmbd) Leslie Thomas Stillman MM

[beardo88]

Hi, was hoping someone could help me out with some info poss from war diaries as to how Gnr Stillman came to earn his MM, he was Gazetted 28 Jan 1918, was wounded Oct 1917- fairly severly as he was later transferred to the Labour Corps as unfit for active service. I think he was in 296 Bde of the RA at the time of injury and I 'guessed' that it was in the this action he would have earnt his MM but would love to know some real details, rather than me summising.

Hopefully someone can help.

Cheers

Tony

[sotonmate]

War Diary at the National Archives for this unit is WO95/3016/4.Not digital yet.

There was often a three month delay between award and publication in the LG,so you are probably right.

[RobertBr]

Tony

I have been down the same route as you looking for details of the event that led to my Grandfathers MM. I was lucky in that his award was one of three on the same day and was mentioned in his brigades War Diary. However that mention is exceptional, was some days post the event and no details were given.

All you should expect is to build up a picture of what his Royal Field Artillery Brigade (not just RA) and Division (59th aka 2nd North Midland) were

doing at the time he was wounded. According to the Long Long Trail they were at Lens in October 1917 and then moved to Cambrai in November to support the attack.

But don't be put off, the search and results can still be well worth the effort.

Good luck

Bob

[beardo88]

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice, sadly I am located in New Zealand so a trip to the National Archives will have to wait for a trip home at some stage. His war records survive and I have a copy of them through Ancestry.co.uk, in that it shows he was wounded in the right buttock (ouch) and in the chest - both gun shot wounds....I think I am right in saying that troops were often transferred to the Labours Corps if not fully fit for active service?

Thanks again for all your advice and help...