Thomas Busby DSM RNAS & RAF Why awarded DSM (1917) and Court Martialled 1922

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

I have in my possession a DSM, BWM & Victory Medal awarded to F18555 (218555 RAF) LAC Thomas Busby RNAS.  I have copies of his Service Record and have had a medal researcher do some digging on my behalf but there are two questions which still remain un-answered one why was he awarded a DSM and what did he do to be tried by District Court Martial in Iraq 1922 and discharged with ignominy?  Is there anyone out there that can help.

 

With regards the DSM the Researcher stated 'His DSM was Gazetted 10/08/17 as you know, the edge of the medal giving the date 05/06/17, at this time he was serving on the Somme (pay base 'President').  You can just make out on the erased section (service record) that he was at the Aircraft Depot, Dunkirk from November 1917 and prior to this Dunkirk, it would therefore appear that he was attached to the RFC at the time of his award.  Several RNAS squadrons were attached to the RFC at this time nominally under 22 Wing.  I have searched the Air/1 honours file for 22 Wing and also the Dunkirk honours files without success.  In addition I have checked ADM/12 (Admiralty correspondence indexes) but have found no mention of his DSM'.

 

With regards the District Court Martial in Iraq his service record gives the following information under 'Time Forfeited' Authority column - AP Iraq CF31 2.3.22 Cause column - F.G.C 2 Sentenced to imprisonment with H.L. for one year and to be discharged with ignominy (June ????? of sentence remitted? in assist F.W.T. 

[nils d]

H L is "hard labour " so hes done something serious . But what?

Iraq tipped a few people over the edge.

[Airshipped]

Hi,

 

As you've noted, unlike the DSCs gazetted on that date, his DSM has no citation:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30227/supplement/8207

 

Curiously, there's no formal notice of his DSM being forfeited, e.g. see a few DCMs and MMs in 1922:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32671/supplement/3019 

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/13812/page/847 

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32737/page/5961

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32740/page/6158

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32753/page/7049 

 

I'll see if I can dig out my RNAS communiqué material but if he was part of the contingent attached to the RFC Wings then he should be in the RFC communiqués for that period?

 

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

Thanks very much for the information 'Airshipped' I have copies of the RFC communiques for 1917 and will check them in the morning and see if I can find mention of him.  Pity I don't know the squadron he was on.  P.S. His RAF service record says medals forfeited perhaps the GSM Iraq but his 1st War medals were issued named to the RNAS. 

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

Have checked the Royal Flying Corps Communiques for that period but can find no mention of him.  I note his rank was Leading Armourers Crew does this mean he was most likely employed as an Aerial Gunner if so does anyone know which RNAS two-seater or bomber squadrons were active on the Somme during this period as that could possibly be a line of enquiry.  What is intriguing about his court martial is that prior to enlisting in the RNAS he had been a Policeman and prior to that in the Royal Marines not a likely candidate for a major misdemeanour.  Regards Clive 

[Airshipped]

Hi Clive, I've had a rummage around my spreadsheets, photocopies and other material but can't find anything for a Thomas Busby.

 

At one stage I thought I'd found him but it was in the wrong place and wrong year: on 25 May 1918 a Second Lieutenant R.J. Thompson, with an LAC Busby as observer, attacked a U-boat at 501 1N 0343W coordinates. They were operating from ex-RNAS Padstow, with the entity formerly known as 494 Flight, then part of 250 Squadron. Their D.H.9 (D2968) made a hard landing upon their return journey.

 

If your chap was at Dunkirk it's possible that some of his work on the Channel coast/Dover Patrol would have been part of 5 Group, in which case he should be in the RNAS communiqués. The RNAS weren't showered with decorations: I believe there were less than 275 DSCs awards, and not much more than that in DSMs - despite the latter also being issued to many NCOs of the Russian Armoured Car squadrons. In that regard it's strange that he doesn't appear on the radar. "The silent service", as they used to humblebrag about themselves!

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

Thanks 'Airshipped' I will check his service record in the morning to see where he was stationed in May 1918.  The medal researcher told me his DSM was awarded for service on the Somme on the 5/6/17.  Regards Clive

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

'Airshipped' have checked his RAF Service Sheet for 1918 and on the formation of the RAF he was with 4 ASD and remained there until 24.5.18 when he was posted to 3 ASD where he stayed until January 1919.  What does ASD  stand for is it Aircraft Supply Depot?    

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

Hi All, Just googled Thomas Busby using Bing and Bing tells me he served with 5 Naval Squadron when he was awarded his DSM in 1917 could anyone confirm this and perhaps add further detail.  It would be fantastic to solve the riddle after 13 years of looking. Regards Clive

[topgun1918]

The award of the DSM was announced in the Third Supplement of the London Gazette of 10 August 1917, published on 11 August.  There was no citation, the preamble merely stating: 

The following awards have also been approved:—

To receive the Distinguished Service Medal.

Ldg. A.C. Thomas Busby, O.N. F18555.

In my awards database, I have listed 225 awards of the DSM plus another five Bars.

Graeme

[horatio2]

Noting that BUSBY's RNAS rating was Leading Aircraftman (LAC - not leading Armorers Crew - no such rating in RNAS). Noting also from the RAF Muster Roll that his RNAS (and later RAF) trade was "Disciplinarian"   -   https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/busby-t .  , I think we can be pretty sure that the DSM was earned for his work on the ground at Dunkirk as an administrator. There is no evidence to suggest that his DSM was for a flying role.

Edited 4 March by horatio2

[Ivor Anderson]

  FROM:

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

4 hours ago, horatio2 said:

Noting that BUSBY's RNAS rating was Leading Aircraftman (LAC - not leading Armorers Crew - no such rating in RNAS). Noting also from the RAF Muster Roll that his RNAS (and later RAF) trade was "Disciplinarian"   -   https://www.rafmuseumstoryvault.org.uk/archive/busby-t .  , I think we can be pretty sure that the DSM was earned for his work on the ground at Dunkirk as an administrator. There is no evidence to suggest that his DSM was for a flying role.

Thanks Horatio I don't know where I got Armourers Crew from. Regards Clive 

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

3 hours ago, Ivor Anderson said:

  FROM:

 

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

3 hours ago, Ivor Anderson said:

  FROM:

Good Afternoon Ivor,  Is the excerpt from the book?  If so it looks as though you have solved my query, or it's as close as I will get to a solution.  If I purchase the book do you believe I will gleam any further information on Thomas Busby's award of the DSM?  Thanks so much Clive

[horatio2]

A lot of circumstantial detail but much hangs on that cryptic phrase "Probably awarded for service during bombardment of Ostend." So, not definitely then.

I see no evidence to place a rating in an aircraft attacking Ostend when his trade was  a ground administrative policing role. Nor is there any trace of his being qualified as a Gunlayer (an RNAS Mechanic Branch trade - later Aerial Gunner RAF).

It all hangs on that 'PROBABLY'. (or should that be 'possibly' or a 'perhaps'?)

Believe what you will.

Edited 5 March by horatio2

[Ivor Anderson]

1 hour ago, Clive ex RAF plumber said:

If I purchase the book do you believe I will gleam any further information on Thomas Busby's award of the DSM? 

     I think that's all it says in the book. I cannot confirm its accuracy re Busby.

Edited 4 March by Ivor Anderson

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

1 hour ago, horatio2 said:

A lot of circumstantial detail but much hangs on that cryptic phrase "Probably warded for service during bombardment of Ostend." So, not definitely then.

I see no evidence to place a rating in an aircraft attacking Ostend when his trade was  a ground administrative policing role. Nor is there any trace of his being qualified as a Gunlayer (an RNAS Mechanic Branch trade - later Aerial Gunner RAF).

It all hangs on that 'PROBABLY'. (or should that be 'possibly' or a 'perhaps'?)

Believe what you will.

Hi Horatio,  I don't see where the 'ground administrative policing role' comes from, yes he was a London Policeman before enlisting in the RNAS (with prior service in the Royal Marines up until 1908  or 1910) but on his service history his rank is Aircraftsman and as you rightly said before Leading Aircraftsman.  He transferred to the RAF as a Sgt Disciplinarian but this I assume was because he didn't have an actual aircraft trade. Regards Clive   

[horatio2]

24 minutes ago, Clive ex RAF plumber said:

  He transferred to the RAF as a Sgt Disciplinarian but this I assume was because he didn't have an actual aircraft trade.

The RAF Muster Roll is clear that his RNAS trade, (transferred to the RAF as a Corporal), was "Disciplinarian". In RN terms this equates to the Ship's Police branch, which was "... responsible for preventing crime and the committal of offences. The police are to take special care to check all bad language, quarrelling, gambling, trafficking, and disorderly noise among the ship's company." They also provided patrols and escorts. Clearly the 'police' roles for an RNAS shore base in France were somewhat different but would have included supporting the base/squadron command in general personnel admin tasks, e.g. absentees, leave arrangements, sick lists and musters. The role was a General Non-technical trade for an Aircraftman.

I t is no surprise, therefore, that his previous civilian occupation was policeman. I note that you place him in the Royal Marines before that and I have located an RMLI (Chatham Division) private who served a 12-year engagement from July 1901 to July 1913. He was born in Islington but his d.o.b. was given as 1 July 1883 whereas your RNAS Busby gave his d.o.b. as 22 October 1885. is this the man to whom you refer?

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7772081

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

1 hour ago, horatio2 said:

The RAF Muster Roll is clear that his RNAS trade, (transferred to the RAF as a Corporal), was "Disciplinarian". In RN terms this equates to the Ship's Police branch, which was "... responsible for preventing crime and the committal of offences. The police are to take special care to check all bad language, quarrelling, gambling, trafficking, and disorderly noise among the ship's company." They also provided patrols and escorts. Clearly the 'police' roles for an RNAS shore base in France were somewhat different but would have included supporting the base/squadron command in general personnel admin tasks, e.g. absentees, leave arrangements, sick lists and musters. The role was a General Non-technical trade for an Aircraftman.

I t is no surprise, therefore, that his previous civilian occupation was policeman. I note that you place him in the Royal Marines before that and I have located an RMLI (Chatham Division) private who served a 12-year engagement from July 1901 to July 1913. He was born in Islington but his d.o.b. was given as 1 July 1883 whereas your RNAS Busby gave his d.o.b. as 22 October 1885. is this the man to whom you refer?

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7772081

That is the same person and the dates concur with the dates quoted for RM service on his RAF service record. Regards Clive

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

On 04/03/2024 at 09:38, Ivor Anderson said:

  FROM:

I have just been reading other posts on the bombing and bombardment of Ostend on the 5th June 1917 and noted that submarines UC70 was sunk and UC16 damaged.  Does anyone know how they were sunk Monitors or RNAS aircraft and if aircraft which Naval Squadron and crew.  Query is just out of interest nothing to do with Thomas Busby.  Regards Clive  

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

Good Afternoon All,  Just been studying Thomas Busby's RNAS service record and close to the entry for AM (Air Mechanic?) in the remarks column it states GNR / R.P. 2544 does anyone know what this means?  Many thanks Clive

[topgun1918]

GNR generally means 'Gunner' (often shown in combat reports as 'AG' ie, Aerial Gunner).

The service number given in the London Gazette announcing the award of his DSM was ON F.18555, so perhaps the R.P. is 'Registered Papers'.

Graeme

[horatio2]

An unclear entry but in full may read   -   "GNP./R.P. 2544 Marine Services with engt."

My interpretation of this is the the Naval Personnel (NP) Division of the Admiralty provided details of his former RMLI service to be filed with his new RN engagement papers as F.18555 in the RNAS. That is my best guess.

I see no GNR to suggest a link with aerial gunnery. I would further note that entries in the Remarks column are not associated or linked to the other entries on the same line - in this case to the first record entry dated 20 July 1916. Rather it appears to be linked, by the two 'crossed tick" marks, to an entry further down the page under BADGES

On transfer to the RAF in April 1918 his RNAS engagement papers were sent to the RAF (see final Remarks entry - almost unreadable - "Engt to RAF".)

Edited 13 March by horatio2

[Clive ex RAF plumber]

11 minutes ago, topgun1918 said:

GNR generally means 'Gunner' (often shown in combat reports as 'AG' ie, Aerial Gunner).

The service number given in the London Gazette announcing the award of his DSM was ON F.18555, so perhaps the R.P. is 'Registered Papers'.

Graeme

On re-appraisement it would appear that what I thought was an 'R' is actually a 'P' please see Horatio 2's reply, but thanks so much for your response I would dearly love to know what Thomas Busby did to earn the DSM and what his actual job in the RNAS was.  All I can ascertain from his service record is that he was an AM (Air Mechanic?) and promoted to L.A.C. (Leading Aircraftsman) in 1917.  The medal researcher who looked into this for me in 2011 said that at the time of the award he was serving on the Somme with 22 Wing RFC but the dates on his service record are very difficult to read and I can't confirm nor deny that.  If he was serving on the Somme and it is an air award I believe he would have to have been serving with 5 Naval Squadron as I believe they were the only RNAS Squadron on the Somme who used Air Gunners but again there is no evidence he was an Air Gunner aaargh!! Regards Clive