temptage Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I have the headstone of this individual in my local Cemetery and was hoping that someone may be able to enlighten me as to how, where and when he received his two 'Mentioned in Dispatches' and also his MBE. Not bad for a humble Sailmaker!!!! I have had a quick search but can find very little detail on him. The only details I have are from the CWGC but that relates to his WW2 service and death. I would hazard a guess that he got his 2 MiD's during WW1, but what service he was in I do not know. BARNSLEY, JOHN GRESHAM Rank: Sailmaker Service No: D/J 4939 Date of Death: 04/11/1943 Age: 51 Regiment/Service: Royal Navy H.M.S. Heron. Awards: M B E, Twice Mentioned in Despatches Grave Reference Sec. 116. Row K. Grave 11. Cemetery GRIMSBY (SCARTHO ROAD) CEMETERY Additional Information: Husband of Rose Barnsley, of Grimsby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 you can search for MBE and the recommendation at the NA on line - cost £3.50 last I looked that's if you can find it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I don't suppose this could be the same fellow? http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32137/supplements/11587/page.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dundeesown Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 He had the Victory & BWM issued or disposed of by India office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temptage Posted 4 February , 2014 Author Share Posted 4 February , 2014 well thanks to ph0ebus i have found this out about him. He was actually awarded the OBE and not the MBE! The KING has been graciously pleased togive orders for the following appointments tothe Most Excellent Order of the BritishEmpire for valuable services rendered inconnection with military operations in Mesopotamia:—To be dated 3rd June,1919 ,unless otherwisestated.To be Members of the Military Division of thesaid-Most Excellent Order.T./Warrant Officer John G.Barnsley, RoyalIndian Marine. Can an OBE (Mil) be downgraded to an MBE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petwes Posted 5 February , 2014 Share Posted 5 February , 2014 I think you'll find he was an MBE. The citation states he is to be a Member of the Order of the British Empire. An OBE is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 5 February , 2014 Share Posted 5 February , 2014 So he was a "Bombay Buccaneer" in WW1 I think it's possible that RIM (later RIN) records were held separately from RN ones. The current Indian navy has an English language web site and seem friendly disposed. They might well be able to tell you what their ancestor organisation was doing in Messpot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 5 February , 2014 Share Posted 5 February , 2014 The RIM (originally the Bombay Marine and the Bengal Marine) operated river gun boats in Messopotamia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 5 February , 2014 Share Posted 5 February , 2014 Barnsley was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba: http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D6857150 The RN awards confirms IWT and that he was "now AB J4939" He was serving on HMS Hood in 1927 when he got his emblems. He got his LSGC in 1925 Devonport. His MBE is in a list to RIM Warrants for Mesopotamia: http://www.edinburgh-gazette.co.uk/issues/13656/pages/2614/page.pdf Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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