deciphering my medal card information

[Brock]

My hobby is genealogy & I have recently discovered two medal cards relating to an ancestor who was named John Arthur Kendrick who served in the 11th London Regiment.

I'm afraid that the cards are quite a mystery to me. There seems to be an awful lot of writing about John on them but I just cannot interpret what it all means.

I really would like to learn about John Arthur Kendrick's army life & wondered if anyone might be able to help me please. If anyone can interpret any of the writing & explain to me

what it stands for in John's army days I would be most grateful please.

Thank you.

The 2nd medal card found.......

[Old Owl]

Hi Brock,

Welcome to the Forum.

The MIC's which you have found indicate that your relative was awarded the Britsh War Medal, Victory Medal and Territorial Force War Medal. He held the rank of Sergeant on the TFWM and Warrant Officer Class 2 on the BWM/VM.

He was also Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 12th January,1918. Page 801.

It appears that he may have served in India at some time after the war. Most of the writing on the reverse of the first card is to do with confirming his MID. It is possible that he had more than one MID?

Hope this helps,

Robert

[johndavidswarbrick]

If you go to the home page of this site and look in the top left hand corner and click on the tab The Long Long Trail and then on to researching a soldier, you will find a lot of explanation on how to read a medal card. The completely hand written card records that your man was Mentioned in Dispatches and that was published in the London Gazette of the 12th January 1918. [All that was usually published was the name - so don't get your hopes up for thrilling tales of heroism!] If, after reading through the LLT you still have queries, I'm sure if you post them people will give you additional help.

Good hunting

Dave Swarbrick

[woollamc]

The first is a standard Medal Index Card, confirming entitlement to a British War Medal, Victory Medal and Territorial Force War Medal. This means that he did not enter a theatre of war until after 1 January 1916.

The second is confirmation that he was Mentioned in Dispatches. This is the "emblem" referred to in the first card. Notice of the award was given in the London Gazette on 12 January 1918 (here).

The rank is given as Serjeant and Acting Warrant Officer Class II. In the LG and in the MID Card, it refers to his being a "trans-serjt (acting shoemaker serjt)" - that is something I have never seen before but here is a link to an earlier thread, which is fascinating.

C

[johnboy]

Link to LLT

http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/interpretmic.html

[rksimpson]

Hi

Also on LLT you can read about Territorial renumbering in 1917, which explains why he went from a 4 digit service number to 6. The last number is when the whole army was renumbered in 1920.

regards

Robert

[Brock]

Hi Brock,

Welcome to the Forum.

The MIC's which you have found indicate that your relative was awarded the Britsh War Medal, Victory Medal and Territorial Force War Medal. He held the rank of Sergeant on the TFWM and Warrant Officer Class 2 on the BWM/VM.

He was also Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 12th January,1918. Page 801.

It appears that he may have served in India at some time after the war. Most of the writing on the reverse of the first card is to do with confirming his MID. It is possible that he had more than one MID?

Hope this helps,

Robert

Robert, thank you so much for your reply, it's much appreciated. Here is where I have to show my complete ignorance I'm afraid.... You mentioned MIC's, TFWM, BWM/VM & MID.

I'm sorry but I don't know what these abbreviations refer to.

[Brock]

If you go to the home page of this site and look in the top left hand corner and click on the tab The Long Long Trail and then on to researching a soldier, you will find a lot of explanation on how to read a medal card. The completely hand written card records that your man was Mentioned in Dispatches and that was published in the London Gazette of the 12th January 1918. [All that was usually published was the name - so don't get your hopes up for thrilling tales of heroism!] If, after reading through the LLT you still have queries, I'm sure if you post them people will give you additional help.

Good hunting

Dave Swarbrick

Thanks Dave, I shall take a look.

The first is a standard Medal Index Card, confirming entitlement to a British War Medal, Victory Medal and Territorial Force War Medal. This means that he did not enter a theatre of war until after 1 January 1916.

The second is confirmation that he was Mentioned in Dispatches. This is the "emblem" referred to in the first card. Notice of the award was given in the London Gazette on 12 January 1918 (here).

The rank is given as Serjeant and Acting Warrant Officer Class II. In the LG and in the MID Card, it refers to his being a "trans-serjt (acting shoemaker serjt)" - that is something I have never seen before but here is a link to an earlier thread, which is fascinating.

C

That's great ~ thank you.

Thank you all, the information which you have explained to me is much appreciated.

[kenf48]

You mentioned MIC's, TFWM, BWM/VM & MID.

I'm sorry but I don't know what these abbreviations refer to.

MIC = Medal Index Card - more correctly card index to medal rolls which are no online but at the National Archives (see Long Long Trail (LLT) link at post 5)

TFWM = Territorial Force War Medal (as above follow link to campaign medals)

BWM = British War Medal (as above)

VM = Victory Medal (as above)

MID = Mention in Despatches (as above follow link to gallantry medals http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/gallantry.html)

The best advice you have been given so far is at post 3, if you follow that then you will, at least be familiar with the basics

Ken

[Brock]

MIC = Medal Index Card - more correctly card index to medal rolls which are no online but at the National Archives (see Long Long Trail (LLT) link at post 5)

TFWM = Territorial Force War Medal (as above follow link to campaign medals)

BWM = British War Medal (as above)

VM = Victory Medal (as above)

MID = Mention in Despatches (as above follow link to gallantry medals http://www.1914-1918.net/soldiers/gallantry.html)

The best advice you have been given so far is at post 3, if you follow that then you will, at least be familiar with the basics

Ken

That's most helpful, thank you so much.

[Brock]

Could I pick all of your brains a little more please?

So, now I know that John Arthur Kendrick was mentioned in despatches which was in the London Gazette of 12th January,1918. Page 801.

I have taken a look at this & found his name, number & rank listed. He must have done something to warrant being mentioned in despatches in such a way & I wondered how I can find out more.

Also, I found that he was mentioned in the Edinburgh Gazette dated 13th June 1919 showing that he had been awarded the Medaille d'Honneur avec Glaives en Argent.

I had not heard of this medal before & checking it out on the internet I found that it was a French medal usually awarded for the saving of someone's life.

​Again, all that was listed in the newspaper was his name, army number, rank, battalion & regiment information but no details of his heroics.

Could anyone possibly tell me please where I might search in order to find out the details of these two events please?

Thank you.

[johndavidswarbrick]

In my experience, the best chance, and it's a slim one, is to see if the local paper picked up the mentions in the Gazettes and wrote up the story with a little more detail. I would check out the local library to see if they have back copies of the contemporary newspaper [almost certainly on microfilm] or - if you are not local, I'd still get down to your own local library and check if they have a subscription to the British Newspaper Archive and search for a mention there.

Good luck,

Dave Swarbrick

[Brock]

Many thanks Dave. John lived in London & I am in Birmingham but I shall pop along to our local library to check out the old newspapers in the British newspaper Archives as you suggested.

[kenf48]

If you navigate back to the cover page of the London Gazette you will see the Despatch that he was mentioned in was General Murray’s Despatch of the 28th June 1917, his fourth Despatch and covering operations in Palestine. After the preamble he states the ‘names I wish to bring to your notice for gallant or distinguished conduct in the Field, or for other valuable service.’ The period covered by the Despatch was January to June 1917.

This is probably as close to an official citation you will get for an MiD.

The 1/11th Bn of the London Regiment was a Territorial Force Battalion, as were all the Battalions of the London Regiment. They were in 162nd (East Midland) Brigade which was part of the 54th (East Anglian) Division. More jargon to get to grips with I’m afraid, but it’s all on the LLT; search for Order of Battle (ORBAT) for the organisation of the Army and have a look at the doings of the 54th Division

http://www.1914-1918.net/54div.htm as an introduction.

In his Despatch Gen. Murray praises the 54th Division “ Particular

commendation is due to the infantry. The 52nd, 53rd

and 54th Divisions, though actively engaged for over a

year in the Sinai Peninsula, had not, since their re-

organisation after the operations in the Dardanelles,

been able to show how they had improved out of all

knowledge in training and discipline, and in all that

goes to make up an excellent fighting organisation.

Under severe trial they have now given ample proof

of the finest soldierly qualities.” and also the transport and supply chain,

“The workings of the supply and transport services

have had to take into account quite abnormal condi-

tions, both of supplies available and terrain, involving

in some cases complete reorganisation of units to suit

local conditions. In spite of this, the functions of these

services have been discharged in a most admirable

manner, and great credit is due to the Director,

Brigadier-General G. F. Davies, C.M.G., and to all

ranks under him.”

Either might apply to this NCO.

The CO of the Battalion would put forward names of those deemed worthy of special mention. While a recommendation for gallantry could be downgraded to an MiD looking at the names and ranks on the list I suspect they came in the ‘distinguished service’ category, which is not to demean their achievement.

His award of the Medaille d’ Honneur aver Glaives en Argent is noted in the Londo Gazette https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31393/supplement/7400 (its a problem with the infernal LG search engine)

Again going to the first page you have mention of 'distinguished service':-

LG 06-06-1919

War Office,

7th June, 1919.

The following are among the Decorations and medals awarded by the Allied Powers at various dates to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign: —

His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission in all cases to wear the Decorations and medals in question.

Decorations conferred by

THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

Medaille d'Honneur avec Glaives en Argent.

Foreign medals were awarded slightly differently to UK Medals in that a quota was given so for example Division would say to the CO something to the effect ‘we are minded to award six foreign medals to your Battalion, please forward any recommendations etc…” The list would then be submitted for approval. With UK medals the Co would submit the recommendation and at any stage it could be downgraded. Because of the certainty of foreign medals they were often awarded when a UK gallantry award was turned down.

None of the above is intended to diminish the efforts, and no doubt justified recognition, to this NCO. but his rank suggests an HQ role and the awards were for continued good work over the campaign in Palestine rather than a single act. He does not, from the mic, appear to have served at Gallipoli, as noted above going overseas after the Bn was evacuated.

The war diary may mention the award but has not been digitised yet http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C7359640

The TNA are trying to get them all online this year.

I can find no reference in the British Newspaper Archive.

Ken

[Brock]

Ken, I shall never be able to thank you enough for your wonderful help.

[tullybrone]

Hi

Also on LLT you can read about Territorial renumbering in 1917, which explains why he went from a 4 digit service number to 6. The last number is when the whole army was renumbered in 1920.

regards

Robert

Hi,

On the basis he has a 7 digit army service number - suggesting he served post 1920 - his army service papers may still be with the MOD and available on payment of £30.

Steve Y

[Blackblue]

Read here Brock. He was awarded the French Medal of Honour with Swords in Silver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honour_medal_for_courage_and_devotion

I have on in the family too....my relative was RSM of the 41st Battalion AIF.

Rgds

Tim D

[Brock]

Hi,

On the basis he has a 7 digit army service number - suggesting he served post 1920 - his army service papers may still be with the MOD and available on payment of £30.

Steve Y

Hi,

On the basis he has a 7 digit army service number - suggesting he served post 1920 - his army service papers may still be with the MOD and available on payment of £30.

Steve Y

That's very interesting to know & something that I will definitely look into. Thank you.

Read here Brock. He was awarded the French Medal of Honour with Swords in Silver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honour_medal_for_courage_and_devotion

I have on in the family too....my relative was RSM of the 41st Battalion AIF.

Rgds

Tim D

Most interesting ~ thank you.