chani_f Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Hi, This is my first post - thank you for taking the time to read this. I'm trying to confirm which unit my ancestor served in during WW1 and hoping the answer is his photo (attached) through identifying what the sleeve insignia and cap badge mean. Can anyone tell me what the sleeve badges mean? The crossed swords(?), the two chevrons and the star? Can anyone also identify his unit from the cap badge? I've taken a look at the WW1 medal roll index and there's an Alfred T Oliver who I think might be my guy with the 17th London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) - to my (very) uneducated eye, it looks about right? Details I know that may/may not help: Name: Alfred Thomas Oliver - I'm told his rank was Sergeant but I can't confirm this as his WW1 record was one of the ones destroyed by WW2 bombing Previous military service: Served 1908-1912 in 6th London Brigade (Territorial Force) - joined aged 15 years 5 months Other details: My great-uncle told me he was awarded the Military Medal for Outstanding Leadership in the face of the enemy but I don't have any other information/evidence about that. Thank you in advance for your help! Chani Fletcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Will go along with the 17th County of London Battalion a maltese cross within a wreath. Ralph. Two stripes = Corporal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Had a look in the London Gazette for an OlIver MM but no luck, doesn't mean he is not there though, the LG is not an easy site to negotiate. Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Checked my copy of Military Badges by Reginald Cox and the crossed swords would appear to denote a physical training instructor. Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 The medal index card for Alfred T Oliver has the rank of Sgt, entitled to the British War and Victory medals, no mention of the MM on the card though, no date on the card which means he went abroad after January 1st 1916. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chani_f Posted 9 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Thank you Ralph - this is very interesting. Particularly about being a physical training instructor! Would that be related to his previous military service? Or related to his war service but prior to embarkation? Also helpful to know that he didn't enter theatre prior to 1916 and that 17th London Regiment looks correct. If anyone knows whether the star badge means anything, I'd be grateful to hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 The star must denote something obviously, but as yet I cannot trace it, still trying. Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chani_f Posted 9 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Thanks Ralph - appreciate your help. Absolutely no rush and didn't mean to sound as if it was - I am just curious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chani_f Posted 9 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Actually following your comment re PTI, I was doing a little idle googling and came across this page: http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-badges/trade2.htm Asides from the PTI badge you identified, I happened to notice a star badge - for a driver? It looks the same as Alf's - does a 'driver' badge make sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Corporal, Assistant Physical Training Instructor, 5 pointed Star for 5 years efficient service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 His Military Medal was announced in a list in the London Gazette on 9-12-1916, so likely to have been awarded for a deed in September 1916 or thereabouts. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29854/supplements/12050 Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chani_f Posted 9 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Thank you both very much! Really appreciate it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 His Military Medal was announced in a list in the London Gazette on 9-12-1916, so likely to have been awarded for a deed in September 1916 or thereabouts. Steve. High Wood? (15th September). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 It seems likely to me as well, Steven Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Nice one Squirrel something learned today.. Steve. If anyone was going to find him in the LG my money was on you, as a matter of interest what did you put in the search box for him ? Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 T. Oliver and then browsed the 3 pages of results. The first name / initial often gets mixed in with the previous word on the OCR on the Gazette. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 9 October , 2013 Share Posted 9 October , 2013 Thanks Steve, noticed that myself in the past. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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