apisani Posted 16 May , 2016 Share Posted 16 May , 2016 Hi, I believe the attached image is the medal card of Lt. Col. William Drysdale D.S.O. BEF research is not my strong side. Could anyone help me "decoding" all the numbers and abbrevations? As far as I know Drysdale was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order and mentioned in London Gazette, 18 Feb. 1915. Does this mean I will find more information as to why he was awarded the DSO here? Thanks, Antoni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyH Posted 16 May , 2016 Share Posted 16 May , 2016 That is the poor copy of the card from National Archives, you can get a much better copy - free - from Ancestry here : http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/1262/30850_A000470-02668?pid=698007&backurl=http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db%3DMedalRolls%26gss%3Dsfs28_ms_r_db%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26gsfn%3Dwilliam%26gsfn_x%3D0%26gsln%3Ddrysdale%26gsln_x%3D0%26MSAV%3D1%26uidh%3Duk2&usePUB=true It includes the reverse side with some useful info on as well! BillyH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle George Posted 16 May , 2016 Share Posted 16 May , 2016 This, from the Long Long Trail, should help: http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/how-to-research-a-soldier/campaign-medal-records/how-to-interpret-a-campaign-medal-index-card/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loader Posted 16 May , 2016 Share Posted 16 May , 2016 A note on the card looks as if he was Killed IN Action at some time. He earned a 1914 Star, BWM & Victory Medal as well as the DSO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyH Posted 16 May , 2016 Share Posted 16 May , 2016 de Ruvigny Roll of Honour : BillyH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 16 May , 2016 Share Posted 16 May , 2016 Hi Antoni, His DSO appears to be an "Honours Award" awarded (effective 18.2.1915) as a result of his general service, rather than a specific act with a citation - the annotated LG publication page is p26/159 of the WO 389/1 (free) download. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 16 May , 2016 Share Posted 16 May , 2016 The war diary for the 7/Leicesters records that "On the morning of 29th during the preliminary reconnaissance...[he] was killed by a sniper" (29.9.1916) Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apisani Posted 16 May , 2016 Author Share Posted 16 May , 2016 Chris, Billy, "Uncle George" - thanks! This helps a lot. As I understand he was wounded during the first battle of Ypres, but stayed with his unit, the 21st Brigade, where he was served as Brigade Major (Fall 1914/Winter 1915). The 21st's war diaries doesn't, as far as I can see, mention anything about him being wounded. This was not usual even if he was an officer? A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin kenf48 Posted 16 May , 2016 Admin Share Posted 16 May , 2016 The citation for his DSO is here http://lib.militaryarchive.co.uk/library/Biographical/library/The-VC-and-DSO-Volume-II/files/assets/basic-html/page359.html It was for services in connection with operations in the field The Brigade diary lists few officer casualties, as his citation shows he 'remained at duty' probably shrugged it off, in Python style, as a 'flesh wound!' The content of all diaries differ, and while it's unusual for wounded officers not to be mentioned it's by no means unique. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apisani Posted 17 May , 2016 Author Share Posted 17 May , 2016 Great, thanks Ken! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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