Jockbhoy67 Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I have come into possession a set of medals which include a Military Medal along with a mentioned in dispatches certificate belonging to S/4751 Private John Blincow of the 9th Gordon Highlanders. I have found his Medal Index Card online which makes no mention of him receiving a Military Medal, the London Gazette from the 14th of September 1916 however states he was awarded the Military Medal, a cliping from the Aberdeen Evening Post from September 1916 also mentions him as being a recipient.The mention in dispatches certificate has he was mentioned in a dispatch on the 30th of April 1916, could it be possible he was awarded it for this mention in dispatches and Is it possible to find out why someone was mentioned in dispatches?. included pictures of the MID and the newspaper clipping Any help with this it would be very much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Just an observation (I know very little about Medals and MID etc) The 9th Gordons were the pioneer Battalion and in the late winter 1915 and early Spring of 1916 they were in the Loos-Hulluch region working on trench construction (a new front line closer to the German lines). In May one company was working on Tunnelling. (Life of A Regiment p76) Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancashire Fusilier Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 included pictures of the MID Your MID document, is signed by Winston Churchill as the Secretary of State for War. Regards, LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Upton Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Your MID document, is signed by Winston Churchill as the Secretary of State for War. Regards, LF It's a printed signature unfortunately - identical on every MID, eg: http://stannesoldswan.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/8/3/3883993/9645721.jpg?608 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancashire Fusilier Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 It's a printed signature unfortunately - identical on every MID, eg: http://stannesoldswan.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/8/3/3883993/9645721.jpg?608 Understood, however a lot of people do not notice that he was the then Secretary of State for War. LF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jockbhoy67 Posted 4 February , 2014 Author Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I did notice it was Winston Churchill, but thought it was probably a facsimile signature as mentioned by Andrew. Thanks to 4th Gordons for the info on the 9th being at Hulluch, much appreciated. Anyone have any ideas why its not mentioned on the Medal Index Card that he was awarded a M.M. or is that common? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sepoy Posted 5 February , 2014 Share Posted 5 February , 2014 There was a separate card index covering the Military Medal which can be accessed via the National Archives (annoyingly only the front of the cards are available). It was not part of the batch of Medal Issue Cards which were transferred to the Western Front Association and then scanned by Ancestry. The MM cards give Surname; Christian Names; Rank; Corps; Regimental Number; Date of Gazette; Registered Paper; and Schedule Number. They are often stamped with the Theatre of War ie FRANCE I believe that the MM cards are now being held by Forum Member Howard Williamson, who is using them to produce a major reference work on the Military Medal which will include surviving citations. Most of the original recommendations were lost in a fire at the Imperial War Museum Reading Room during the 1960/70s but some of the MM cards do have additional information of the back. Unfortunately, I do not think that Howard is running a look up service, so we will have to wait for the publication of his Book/Books later this year? Hope this helpsSepoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jockbhoy67 Posted 5 February , 2014 Author Share Posted 5 February , 2014 There was a separate card index covering the Military Medal which can be accessed via the National Archives (annoyingly only the front of the cards are available). It was not part of the batch of Medal Issue Cards which were transferred to the Western Front Association and then scanned by Ancestry. The MM cards give Surname; Christian Names; Rank; Corps; Regimental Number; Date of Gazette; Registered Paper; and Schedule Number. They are often stamped with the Theatre of War ie FRANCE I believe that the MM cards are now being held by Forum Member Howard Williamson, who is using them to produce a major reference work on the Military Medal which will include surviving citations. Most of the original recommendations were lost in a fire at the Imperial War Museum Reading Room during the 1960/70s but some of the MM cards do have additional information of the back. Unfortunately, I do not think that Howard is running a look up service, so we will have to wait for the publication of his Book/Books later this year? Hope this helps Sepoy Hello Sepoy, Thats very good news to hear, I'll look forward to the release of his book, it sounds as if its just what i am looking for.! many thanks for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxlade134 Posted 29 October , 2015 Share Posted 29 October , 2015 The dating of the Haig MID of 30th April suggests to me that the event in which John Blincow was recognised was probably on the 27th April when the 9th Gordons were subjected to a Gas attack near Hulluch. Later entries in the War diary do not expand on why the MID was awarded. see war diary for the 27th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 17 May , 2020 Admin Share Posted 17 May , 2020 I've removed your email address and telephone number from public view, it's never a good idea to put personal detail like that on a public forum. Members can contact each other via personal messages. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Wenbourne Posted 9 April , 2021 Share Posted 9 April , 2021 Hi. My Grandfather was called John Blincow and won a medal. I wonder if this is the same man. I would nice more details about the medal and what it was received for. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 13 April , 2021 Share Posted 13 April , 2021 A scan of John Blincow's MM Index Card at the National Archives ref. WO372/23/81001 - note its unique schedule number 31847: It was a backdated ('retrospective') award for around March-May 1916. It was possibly connected to his MiD at the end of April, although no other Gordon MiDs in that LG seemed to get an MM. John's MM is listed in Howard Williamson's book on MM Index Card annotations, but it does not give any reason for the award. His MiD is listed in the LG of 15 June 1916 p.5950, which were for for 'gallant and distinguished conduct in the field': https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29623/supplement/5950 The relevant 9th Bn. War Diary can be viewed here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14053621 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Wenbourne Posted 15 April , 2021 Share Posted 15 April , 2021 Thank you, my Mum always said he won a medal for dragging another soldier to safety in a mustard gas attack. He passed away at 47 with bad lungs caused from mustard gas in the war. My Mum was very proud of him. I have a wonderful picture of him in his uniform. I will post it up soon. Nice to put a picture to the person. Lydia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Anderson Posted 15 April , 2021 Share Posted 15 April , 2021 (edited) That would be great to see Lydia. Perhaps the OP will then post photos of his medals. The war diary may mention a gas attack around March-April 1916 if you download it: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14053621 Edit: see the entry for 27th April 1916 in the WD page posted by oxlade134 further up which mentions a gas attack. Edited 16 April , 2021 by Ivor Anderson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Wenbourne Posted 25 January , 2022 Share Posted 25 January , 2022 In response to messages from last hear about my Grandpa John Blincow. This is his picture taken in 1916. I would love to see a picture of the medal that he received if anyone has it. Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Wenbourne Posted 25 January , 2022 Share Posted 25 January , 2022 On 04/02/2014 at 16:14, Jockbhoy67 said: I have come into possession a set of medals which include a Military Medal along with a mentioned in dispatches certificate belonging to S/4751 Private John Blincow of the 9th Gordon Highlanders. I have found his Medal Index Card online which makes no mention of him receiving a Military Medal, the London Gazette from the 14th of September 1916 however states he was awarded the Military Medal, a cliping from the Aberdeen Evening Post from September 1916 also mentions him as being a recipient.The mention in dispatches certificate has he was mentioned in a dispatch on the 30th of April 1916, could it be possible he was awarded it for this mention in dispatches and Is it possible to find out why someone was mentioned in dispatches?. included pictures of the MID and the newspaper clipping Any help with this it would be very much appreciated. Hiya. Would you be able to put a photo up of John Blincow medal please. I have just added a picture of him further down the story. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jockbhoy67 Posted 26 January , 2022 Author Share Posted 26 January , 2022 22 hours ago, Lydia Wenbourne said: Hiya. Would you be able to put a photo up of John Blincow medal please. I have just added a picture of him further down the story. Many thanks. Sorry I don't have the medals now, I traded them for another set, If memory serves me right i sent some images of the medals to email address removed you could try there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 26 January , 2022 Admin Share Posted 26 January , 2022 Please use private messaging to communicate email addresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now