Naval Officer

[Jim Strawbridge]

For some while I have had a British War Medal in my collection named to CD. MECH. J. HOWARD. R.N. I have recently purchased a 1914/5 star named to WT. MECH. J. HOWARD. R.N. CD.MECH. I know to be Commissioned Mechanic and WT. MECH. is Warrant Mechanic. Can anyone tell me if there is a natural promotion step from CD. MECH. to WT. MECH. and the likelihood that I have unwittingly brought two medals back together?

[horatio2]

Not Commissioned/Warrant 'Mechanic' but 'Mechanician'. 'Warrant' was junior to 'Commissioned' - the latter holding an officer's commission rather than a warrant. The Medal Roll records 'Commissioned Mechanician' for a 1914-15 Star Trio issued to him at RN Barracks, Portsmouth, but the Star was probably issued in the warrant rank he held in 1914-15. All you need now is his Victory Medal.

No other man on the Roll matches.

[Jim Strawbridge]

Thank you Horatio2. Most grateful.