Old Harry Posted 27 April , 2019 Share Posted 27 April , 2019 This is an enquiry for a friend. A family legend is that her grandfather had won the Victoria Cross in WWI, and she wanted to find out if it was true. I did some digging and found the following: He was Charles Capewell Darlow, born 29 July 1894 at Ecclesfield, Yorks. He served in the Coldstream Guards as a private and won, not the VC, but the Distinguished Conduct Medal. I managed to find his medal card (attached) on the National Archives site, but that is all; his service records were destroyed in World War II and I have learned that the Coldstream Guards no longer hold any records of their soldiers. There are War Diaries of the three Coldstream Guards battalions in the National Archives, but I have no idea in which one he served. There seems no point in going through these diaries without finding out when, where and why he won the DCM, but I can't find the award citation anywhere as he is not listed by the London Gazette. Can anyone help, please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin DavidOwen Posted 27 April , 2019 Admin Share Posted 27 April , 2019 Hi The London Gazette has him here https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30879/supplement/10286 for gallantry whilst acting as a stretcher bearer (and wounded himself). If you search these records you may find out where it occurred https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/r/C14595 David Edit: this is the download you need, it is free but large https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2970516 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 27 April , 2019 Share Posted 27 April , 2019 Here is the citation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbem Posted 27 April , 2019 Share Posted 27 April , 2019 I note that on his MIC and the 15 Star roll that it was originally referenced surname as "Garlow" before correction. Perhaps a search for that in service records may help? regards Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 27 April , 2019 Share Posted 27 April , 2019 54 minutes ago, Old Harry said: I have learned that the Coldstream Guards no longer hold any records of their soldiers. I anticipate a response from Coldstreamer soon. As I understand it, these records were transferred in August 2018 to the MOD, so you could apply to the Army Personnel Centre, Kentigern House, Glasgow. Hopefully his service record survived and is with them now. Thanks, Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Harry Posted 27 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 27 April , 2019 I never cease to be amazed at what a wonderful facility this is, and how helpful Forum subscribers are. Many thanks for the info; I am sure my friend will be thrilled at the details of her grandfather's bravery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBrook Posted 27 April , 2019 Share Posted 27 April , 2019 If I might chip in with the place and dates of the action for which he was awarded the D.C.M., this notification also states that he was 3rd Battalion at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_history_buff Posted 27 April , 2019 Share Posted 27 April , 2019 Not only does this mention the battalion, but the time period and location annotated in pencil are further nuggets of gold dust. Thanks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tullybrone Posted 27 April , 2019 Share Posted 27 April , 2019 (edited) Hi, You should be able to download a copy of the CG WW1 Regimental History via this link. https://m.hathitrust.org/Record/000442395 3rd Battalion activities in March 1918 will be recorded in Volume 2. They had left Guards Division by that time and were with 4th Guards Brigade in 31st Division. Can I ask where did you get the information that his service papers were destroyed during WW2? Steve EDIT TO ADD A quick look at the Regimental History suggests 3rd CG were in action in the Ervillers Valley 24/25th March 1918. Edited 27 April , 2019 by tullybrone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Harry Posted 28 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 28 April , 2019 13 hours ago, tullybrone said: Hi, You should be able to download a copy of the CG WW1 Regimental History via this link. https://m.hathitrust.org/Record/000442395 3rd Battalion activities in March 1918 will be recorded in Volume 2. They had left Guards Division by that time and were with 4th Guards Brigade in 31st Division. Can I ask where did you get the information that his service papers were destroyed during WW2? Steve That was an assumption on my part because I could not find them. As I was doing this research in a hurry alongside my own, I was probably careless! Thanks for the other information. Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 10 May , 2019 Share Posted 10 May , 2019 to clarify, a great many papers where lost in ww2 due to bombing, fire and following water damage which is why they are not at national archives or fmp/ancestry the regiment USED to have the papers for the men - sadly these are no longer stored at RHQ, you could apply to get them but it will cost you £30 some war diaries are better than others, for the CG, the 3rd are the worst for info IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Harry Posted 11 May , 2019 Author Share Posted 11 May , 2019 Thank you, but the lady concerned has indicated that she has all the information she needs, so I am not conducting any further research on this subject. Thanks to all who contributed. Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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