Scottman Posted 12 November , 2020 Share Posted 12 November , 2020 I am trying to research the Military Medal awarded to Cpl Thomas Watson who was awarded the Military Medal on June 12th 1918 in the London Gazette . He lived in Birkenhead , I am trying to find out where O CPS SIG COY R.E were serving in 1918 and what was there role in the Signal Service , any help would be much appreciated , Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 12 November , 2020 Share Posted 12 November , 2020 (edited) Alan, This is a reference to "O" Corps signal company RE. That was with 14 Corps as his service record shows. The RE Library list of War Diaries suggests they exist at least for the following periods: "O" Corps Signal Company 14 Corps (edit- but see below as subsequently under 5th Corps) 24 Feb 1916 to 26 Aug 1916 and 01 May 1917 to 31 Jan 1919 I note that in civil life he was a motor cyclist and that would fit well with carrying messages between HQs Charlie Edited 12 November , 2020 by charlie962 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 12 November , 2020 Share Posted 12 November , 2020 But I note in his svc record it suggests the approval was 5th Corps and suggests award date 11/4/18 courtesy FindmyPast: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 12 November , 2020 Share Posted 12 November , 2020 (edited) The Signal Service in the European War can be seen on archive.org here and explains the structure and changes in Corps Signal Companies, in particular that they often stayed in the same place when a Corps moved and thus they were given letters rather than numbers as unit title.. Edited 12 November , 2020 by charlie962 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottman Posted 12 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2020 Many thanks charlie , I appreciate your help in my research , I am waiting for his service papers to arrive , kind regards Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 12 November , 2020 Share Posted 12 November , 2020 The relevant war diary is 5 Corps Signal Company in 1918 and that is here at Discovery Nat Archives (free to download if you register) His award is noted in the April Diary and if you read through the preceeding days then it would seem probable that his award was for work in communications during the retreat ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottman Posted 12 November , 2020 Author Share Posted 12 November , 2020 Once again many thanks , will check it out , thanks Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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